Packers training camp buzz: Jordan Love says ‘Watch me, Aaron’, special teams shake-ups, and a surprise guest star

What are the top headlines from Green Bay Packers training camp so far?

The Season Sans Aaron Rodgers has officially commenced. The Green Bay Packers started training camp last week on July 26, and there’s already lots to glean from several practices worth of player performances.

Apparently, new QB1 Jordan Love got a text from Aaron Rodgers before camp telling Love to just be himself. “Don’t try to be Aaron.”

Well, a few throws into Monday’s practice session, Love showed exactly what kind of quarterback he could be.

This year’s training camp also features exciting roster battles in the special teams unit, where two feisty gadget players are battling it out for the punt returner job. Finally, the Packers were graced with a special guest appearance from someone who might consider donning No. 18 for the day.

Here are the three biggest storylines from Packers training camp.

Packers training camp: Jayden Reed in line to win punt returner job

While Daniel Carlson’s younger brother practices his kicking form, there’s a much more riveting special teams battle going on at the punt returner position.

Keisean Nixon shined as the Packer’s returner last year, taking over for Amari Rodgers and quickly becoming the team’s most dynamic special teams weapon. In 2022, he averaged 28.8 yards per kick return, including one touchdown, and 12.7 yards per punt return.

Nixon earned a first-team All-Pro nod as a kick returner but will likely cede punt-returning duties to second-round pick Jayden Reed. Nixon expressed nothing but optimism for Reed’s expanded role in 2023 and was happy to take the rookie under his wing, telling The Athletic (subscription required):

"“I told [Reed] as soon as he got here, before I even talked to him, I told him I’d be on his ass every day. He’s got to get me better and I’m going to get him better. With the return stuff, I’ll teach him little techniques and stuff like that, stuff that I learned on the fly last year. He’ll be a good player.”"

Reed returned punts back when he played at Michigan State; in his junior season, he averaged 21.6 yards per punt return and scored two touchdowns.

The Packers are at least hoping Reed will fare better than Amari Rodgers, who accounted for a shameful amount of butter-fingered plays last season. Reed and Nixon tag-teaming returner duties could give Green Bay a huge boost in the special teams department this year.