Romeo Doubs' lucrative contract with the New England Patriots highlights a strategic decision by the Green Bay Packers.
Romeo Doubs is a good wide receiver. He made a solid name for himself over the first four seasons of his career, all with the Green Bay Packers.
The issue for the Packers and Doubs is that while he was always good, he was never great. Perhaps that's unfair, too, because he was a fourth-round pick. If he were a first-rounder, he would have been considered a bust. As a fourth-rounder, though?
It's hard to shake your head at a guy being a solid WR2 and a great WR3 after having come into the league as a fourth-rounder out of Nevada.
Doubs had games where he could take over. His three-touchdown performance against the Dallas Cowboys earlier this season was proof of that.
Doubs also had stretches of disappearing. He didn't get another touchdown after that explosion in Dallas for eight more games. He finished the season with six total touchdowns and 724 yards.
Perhaps that was a product of Green Bay's relatively deep wide receiver room. Perhaps, though, it's because that's who Doubs is as an NFL wide receiver.
He's good, not great, and the Packers had four seasons to figure that out.
That's why they tried to make an offer to bring him back as a free agent, but ultimatly, Doubs felt he could get more elsewhere.
And he did.
Doubs agreed with the New England Patriots to a four-year deal worth roughly 70 million dollars on Tuesday. That's $17.5 million a year for a wide receiver who is good, but not great.
Aug 11, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs (87) walks off the field after a victory over the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images.That's $17.5 million a year while the Packers still have a depth chart that features Christian Watson (who has become a true WR1), Jayden Reed (who has WR2 potential), Dontayvion Wicks (who is Doubs-esque in his hot or cold production) and former first-round pick Matthew Golden.
That's not to mention 2025 third-round pick Savion Williams, corner/wideout hybrid Bo Melton, or the pass-catching duo of Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgrave at tight end.
The Packers would have liked to have Doubs back. He's a home-grown talent, and he's got a nice connection with quarterback Jordan Love.
They didn't need to bring him back, though. Frankly, considering how much money he got from the Pats, they couldn't afford to bring him back, either.
Happy trails, Romeo.
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