Packers WR Romeo Doubs is in a great place entering Year 4
Another standout summer for Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs reached a new level this week with impressive practices on back-to-back days.
On Tuesday, Doubs beat safeties Javon Bullard and Evans Williams for a long touchdown during 11-on-11. Doubs, whose longest career catch is 39 yards, showed off his speed to get behind the defense and make an impressive grab without breaking his stride.
Since being drafted by Green Bay in 2022, Doubs has shown improvement each year, but Matt LaFleur said before Wednesday's practice that the area where Doubs has made his biggest strides has been in his route running.
"I think patience as a route runner, he's doing a great job," LaFleur said. "He's always been able to get off the line, but just in terms of the patience of a route runner, and it was on display (Tuesday) when that ball's in the air. He's going to attack that football."
After LaFleur's remarks, Doubs went out and had another productive practice on Wednesday, boosted by a touchdown against Carrington Valentine during a red zone period.
Doubs has become known for his strong training camps and consistency during the regular season. However, last season took an unexpected turn when he was suspended one game for skipping multiple practices. Doubs was reportedly unhappy with his role on offense, but he would eventually return to the team and finish the year with career-high marks in yards per reception and yards per game.
2024 likely would have been a career year for Doubs if not for the suspension and injuries. He also missed Weeks 13 and 14 due to a concussion and the regular season finale against the Bears because of an illness. Doubs finished the year wearing a Guardian Cap only to suffer another concussion after slamming his head against the ground in the Wild Card Round loss to the Eagles.
Perhaps due to previous discontent and the fact that he was entering the last year of his rookie deal, Doubs' name was mentioned as a potential trade candidate during the offseason, but nothing ever materialized.
Perhaps no one is happier that Doubs is still around than Jordan Love. The two have made it a habit to work out together in California during the offseason, and that chemistry has once again carried over into camp, with Love gushing over Doubs' approach going into Year 4.
"I just love where he's at mentally right now," said Love. "He's playing pretty lights out right now and making a lot of good plays when the ball's in the air, which is one of those things that's expected from Rome, and he's done that so many times. But the headspace he's at, attacking every day trying to find ways to get better, even when we're not on the same page sometimes, and a play might be incomplete, we're talking after and trying to figure out how we might do things differently, so I love where he's at right now."
It would not be surprising to anyone in the building if Doubs takes another step in his development this season. He may have the strongest connection with Love among all of Green Bay's receivers and continues to improve in all facets of his game.
"The way he's running routes and understanding what the coverage is and how he needs to beat it, and just do the little things with twitchiness of his body when he gets to the top of routes and just understanding how to run routes is what's really separating him," Love said.
The Packers will be counting on Doubs this season. If the 25-year-old former fourth-round pick takes another step in his development this year, the team will have to decide whether to pay Doubs a sizable contract or risk losing one of their most trusted receivers.
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