Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur said receiver Christian Watson looks confident and healthy entering Year 2, and the young receiver’s incredible intelligence gives the Packers offense more flexibility and makes the passing game harder to defend overall.
After missing most of training camp as a rookie last year, Watson is full-go to start his second season, giving him a chance to pick up where he left off over the second half of 2022.
“Just seems like a much more confident player. I think we saw that take shape last year, halfway through the season. Any time you’re a young player and you miss all of training camp essentially, that’s tough, difficult,” LaFleur said Monday. “Him being healthy, he had a really good offseason, and just his knowledge of our offense. He’s one of the most intelligent players I’ve ever been around, especially at the wide receiver position.”
Watson had three 100-yard receiving games and scored eight total touchdowns over the final eight games of last season, sparking to life a Packers offense that lacked a dynamic weapon at receiver.
Expect the Packers to put even more on Watson’s plate in 2023.
LaFleur said the Packers can line up Watson at the “Z” on one play and then move him to “F” or “X” on the next play without him having an issue. He called it a “unique” ability that gives the Packers a lot of flexibility in terms of personnel at receiver.
More specifically, moving Watson around makes it hard to “roll coverage” to him.
“That’s a great asset for (an offense),” LaFleur said.
More from LaFleur on Monday:
— On practicing in pads: “Intensity is going to pick up.” Said it’s everyone’s responsibility to “take care of each other.”
— On Week 2 of practice: Still doing some installs. Will have more detail, more intentional this week. “Greater gains, more progress.”
— On Jordan Love from Saturday: Threw great sail route to Jayden Reed. Complimented on two-minute execution, throw to Samori Toure.
— On Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt: More mature in Year 2, just in the way they carry themselves in the building. They love football. Great veteran leaders in Kenny Clark and De’Vondre Campbell. Trying to live up to the standard set by veterans.
— On Anders Carlson’s struggles: Won’t overreact to one practice, it happens. Won’t kick Monday, but will kick Tuesday. Excited to see how he responds.
— On Daniel Whelan: “He’s done a heck of a job.” Says he has a big-time leg. Likes competition at punter.