Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed accomplished something many fans may not be aware of during his first two seasons with the team. The former Michigan State star led the Pack in receptions in both 2023 and 2024. This accomplishment is even more impressive when you realize Reed was on the field for just 56 percent of the Packers offensive snaps in 2023 and 63 percent in 2024. But this offseason, Reed has added another quality to his resume: leadership.

Reed has operated primarily out of the slot in the Packers offense over his first two NFL seasons. He has a knack for finding ways to get open and he has made several big plays as a Packer.

Head coach Matt LaFleur has also frequently designed plays to get the ball in Reed’s hands, whether it’s a push pass, a jet sweep or an end around.

When the Packers selected Matthew Golden in the first round of this year’s draft and Savion Williams in the third round, Reed had questions. According to a report by Adam Schefter, Reed’s agent contacted the Packers asking for a clarification of his role in 2025. The agent was reassured that Reed was still a big part of the team’s plans going forward.

Despite this alleged uncertainty by Reed, he has been impressing the coaching staff at OTAs this past week by the way he has handled himself and how he has interacted with the other receivers at practice.

Head coach Matt LaFleur came away singing Reed’s praises, telling Chris Simms, “He's one of the guys out there, I mean, he's out there the other day at practice when we're doing some of our drills, and he’s coaching up Matthew Golden,” LaFleur said. “He's a guy I don't worry about, he's going to go out there, he's going to compete, he's going to compete at a high level, he's going to bring up everybody around him as well.”

LaFleur also added, “He's a guy that, he's had two years of a lot of production for us. So just my encouragement to him is to continue to lead that room, because he's done a great job of that.”

Now in his third season with the team, the receiver seems more confident and comfortable about his knowledge of the offense and how things work in Green Bay.

LaFleur hasn’t been the only coach that Reed impressed with this leadership at OTAs. Passing game coordinator Jason Vrabel has also noticed a difference this year. “Probably the biggest growth is the way his leadership has been right now,” Vrable said. “I really want to commend him because he’s standing behind Matthew Golden right now helping him out with every single play. He’s going over with Mecole Hardman, who just got here, and he’s the one guy right now that I feel – all our guys, the brotherhood is strong right now – but he is like, ‘I’m going out of my way.’ Because he is a natural leader, and he always has been.”

Reed will face a lot of competition for footballs in the Green Bay offense in 2025. While the Packers may not have an established go-to receiver as of now, there will be a lot of competition for targets from quarterback Jordan Love.

In addition to rookies Golden and Williams, Reed will also be competing for passes with returning players Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks, Bo Melton, Malik Heath and Hardman, who the team signed as a free agent during the offseason. Returning veteran Christian Watson will also be in the mix in the second half of the season once he returns from rehabbing his injured knee.

Still Reed appears to be showing more maturity and seems to be dedicated to maximizing his opportunities on the field in his third season with the team. As LaFleur likes to say, “iron sharpens iron.” If that’s the case, Reed is determined that the increased competition at wide receiver will only bring out the best in him.