Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers wasn’t shy about piling on the praise for rookie wide receiver Romeo Doubs, who has been an early standout for Matt LaFleur’s team through the first week of training camp.
At his locker on Wednesday, the four-time NFL MVP said Doubs has made the most of his early opportunities during camp, and the consistency of the “wow” plays made by the rookie has Rodgers thinking about some of the recent greats at receiver in Green Bay.
“It’s never been too big for him. I really like the approach,” Rodgers said. “He’s a very humble kid, but you’re starting to see the personality come out a little bit, which is fun to see. He’s had a lot of opportunities, which has been great. With Sammy not practicing a couple of days, and Christian being out, a lot of opportunities for him, and he’s made the most of it.”
Day after day, Doubs is putting himself into the spotlight by making big plays, like a leaping catch over Eric Stokes during a team drill on Day 2, a win against Stokes in a one-on-one drill and an acrobatic catch in the corner of the end zone from Jordan Love on Tuesday.
LaFleur complimented Doubs’ routine as a rookie. Randall Cobb thinks Doubs has a “special” ability to make contested catches. Love said Doubs makes tough catches look easy.
Count Rodgers among those impressed with what Doubs is putting on tape every day.
“It’s not just the team stuff. I thought he ran good routes yesterday in the one-on-ones against Stokes,” Rodgers said. “It’s just a matter of the mental stuff. He’s still making some mental mistakes, but you expect those. It’s the approach, his release patterns, he catches the ball with his hands.”
A lot of good receivers have come through Green Bay since Rodgers has been the starter. Donald Driver. Greg Jennings. Jordy Nelson. James Jones. Cobb. Davante Adams.
All the “wow” plays from Doubs so far had Rodgers reminiscing about some of the past greats.
“Every single day, there’s been at least one ‘wow’ play. And that’s rare for a young guy like that,” Rodgers said. “We’ve had some guys over the years do that, but they are all in the top 10 of Packers receiving history. Good start for him.”
That’s big praise. It’s early, but the Packers’ fourth-round pick has fully captured the attention of the future Hall of Fame quarterbac
k. Is the next great connection in Green Bay already in the early stages of forming?