Packers: Matt LaFleur already overhyping Sammy Watkins

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur is hyping up newly signed wide receiver Sammy Watkins ahead of the 2022 season.

The Green Bay Packers passing attack has changed drastically this offseason, as top receiving option Davante Adams was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders. The Packers are not going to replace Adams. Rather, they were going to make additions to ensure the passing game can still thrive. One of the moves that they made was signing veteran Sammy Watkins to a one-year contract.

Head coach Matt LaFleur has worked with Watkins in the past during their time together with the Los Angeles Rams. While speaking with the media on Wednesday, June 8, LaFleur hyped up Watkins, saying he does not believe that his game has dropped off.

Matt LaFleur hypes up new Packers wide receiver Sammy Watkins

“Obviously, we have history going back to L.A. together. So that definitely gives you a pretty good idea of what he’s capable of doing,” LaFleur said, h/t ProFootballTalk. “I still think — I don’t think his game has fallen off at all since we were together in 2017. A little of it has been maybe a little bit lack of opportunity. But I think he’s a guy that’s out there working hard. And he’s going to be a big part of our offense.”

Watkins was only a member of the Rams for the 2017 season and LaFleur was his offensive coordinator. That season, Watkins caught 39-of-70 targets for 593 yards and eight touchdowns in 15 games. After the season, he left the Rams to sign a three-year, $48 million contract with the Kansas City Chiefs.

After leaving the Rams, Watkins did play a huge role in Kansas City’s run to a Super Bowl title in the 2019 season, where he caught 14-of-18 targets for 288 yards and a touchdown in three games.

Watkins spent last season with the Baltimore Ravens, where he recorded 27 receptions for 394 yards and one touchdown in 13 games.

LaFleur has faith in Watkins’ ability to play a huge role in the offense. The only thing Packers fans can do is wait for the start of the season and see how the receiving corps performs once Aaron Rodgers is throwing meaningful passes their way.