No. 22 — Romeo Doubs

The Green Bay Packers went 11-6 last season, sweeping the NFC West and the AFC South along the way.

Overall, though, no one in the building was happy.

The Packers failed to build on their terrific finish to the 2023 campaign, settled for the No. 7 seed in the NFC playoffs, and lost a Wild Card game to eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia.

Afterwards, general manager Brian Gutekunst turned up the heat on everybody in the building.

“We need to continue to ramp up our sense of urgency,” Gutekunst said. “I think it’s time we started competing for championships.”

Those are fair expectations.

The Packers return 20 of 22 starters, and appear to have upgraded the roster via free agency and the draft. With several third and fourth year players trending upward, Green Bay should be poised to make a move.

“I think they’re ready,” Gutekunst said.

Now, it’s time for the Packers to prove their G.M. right.

Green Bay’s first training camp practice is July 23. Between now and then I will count down the ‘30 Most Important Packers’ heading into the 2025 campaign.

At No. 22 is wide receiver Romeo Doubs.

No. 22

Romeo Doubs, WR

Last season

Many expected Doubs to have a breakout 2024 campaign after he had a terrific finish to his 2023 season. That didn’t happen, though.

Doubs played in 13 games (12 starts) and finished third on the Packers in both catches (46) and receiving yards (601). His four receiving touchdowns ranked fourth on the team.

All of those numbers were down from 2023, when Doubs caught 59 passes for 676 yards and eight TDs.

Doubs was inactive in Weeks 13-14 due to a concussion. He then suffered another concussion and left the Packers’ Wild Card playoff loss to Philadelphia — despite wearing a guardian cap.

Doubs was also placed on the reserve/suspended list and missed Green Bay’s Week 5 game against the Los Angeles Rams after going AWOL earlier that week.

“I’m going to be completely honest with you, man, is there some regret behind that?” Doubs said of skipping practices and meetings. “There is, but obviously what’s in the past stays in the past.”

Career to date

Doubs, a fourth round draft pick in 2022, had an up and down rookie season, with the highs coming early.

Eight weeks into his rookie year, Doubs had 30 receptions, 296 yards and three touchdowns.

Doubs suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 9, though, and didn’t return for six weeks. By then, Christian Watson had emerged as Green Bay’s top option and Doubs managed just 11 catches for 111 yards and no TDs in the final four games.

Doubs finished his rookie season with 42 receptions, which was fourth on the team.

Doubs then took a big jump in 2023 and finished second on the team in catches (59) and yards (674), and tied for the team lead with eight receiving touchdowns. Doubs also ranked No. 4 in the NFL with seven receiving TDs in the red zone

Doubs then he had a sensational postseason with 10 receptions, 234 yards and two TDs in two games. His 234 receiving yards were the seventh most in franchise history in a single postseason and the second most by a player with only one or two playoff games, behind Davante Adams (298 yards in two games in 2019).

Outlook

It’s a “prove it” year for Doubs for several reasons.

First, Doubs must show there are no long-term implications from the two concussions he suffered last season.

“I think anytime a guy gets two concussions, I can’t help but be concerned about that,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said at the end of last season.

Second, Doubs will try rebounding from a year where he took a step back on the field.

And third, Doubs will become a free agent after the season, and try proving to the rest of the NFL he deserves a hefty second contract.

Doubs will attempt to do that in a crowded wide receiver room where Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks return, and rookies Matthew Golden and Savion Williams could be immediate contributors.

“My goal going into this year is to be a winner, obviously to be a player within this offense and ultimately to help out the two receivers that are coming in (Golden and Williams),” Doubs said.

They Said It …

“It was a long process. Obviously it’s very unfortunate to go out of a game with a concussion. I made sure I took care of myself this offseason. I just look forward to my process and progress throughout the course of this year.” — Doubs on battling back from his concussions

“I don’t know if you guys can tell a difference in his physique, he does look like a specimen out there. He’s come in, and he’s just worked, and obviously he’s played a lot of snaps for us and has had a lot of production. So I’m excited about where he’s at.” — Packers coach Matt LaFleur on Doubs

“Anytime a guy has a couple concussions back to back, there’s some concern there. Not necessarily his long term liability or anything, just for him. No, I would expect him to bounce back and be at his best..” — Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst on Doubs

THE TOP 30

• No. 30 — RB MarShawn Lloyd

• No. 29 — WR Dontayvion Wicks

• No. 28 — S Javon Bullard

• No. 27 — WR Savion Williams

• No. 26 — LB Isaiah McDuffie

• No. 25 — OL Jordan Morgan

• No. 24 — WR Matthew Golden

• No. 23 — CB Carrington Valentine