What looks like a red flag at wide receiver could actually be a sign the Packers offense is built to thrive in 2025

The stat measures the percentage of attempts that were incomplete due to receiver errors, such as drops, lost control at the ground, not getting both feet inbounds when the player should have, falling down, and other smaller instances. The fact that all NFC North teams are in the top half of the league, and the Detroit Lions were the best one, explains why Green Bay had so many problems inside the division.

Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks were particularly concerning in that regard. Last season, 103 players had at least 60 targets. Reed was the worst and Wicks was the second worst in receiver error rate. Knowing how the season was, drops were obvious issues.

This is actually good for the Packers in a sense

Well, the fact that Reed and Wicks had so many mistakes was bad for the Packers and you can't state otherwise. It's a big reason why the offense regressed late in the season, including a 10-point performance against the Philadelphia Eagles in the playoffs.

But when you evaluate stats, some are real, some are noisy. Historically, drops are not sustainable and heavily vary year after year. While Reed and Wicks have had some level of drop issues since college, it's hard to imagine that both will repeat the error rate for two consecutive seasons.

And if they get better by natural positive regression, the passing offense will automatically get better. And quarterback Jordan Love's efficiency will too.

"There's a narrative out there, for whatever reason, that (Love) wasn't as productive as the year before. Well, he missed significant time," head coach Matt LaFleur said. "And let's be honest, I mean, we did have a lot of drops last year, there are other circumstances that play into it. All in all, I think everybody is gonna be better, though."

The Packers are not waiting

While drops are not a sticky stat, the Packers are not only counting on it for 2025. After all, hope is not a strategy. The front office and coaching staff were clearly not happy with the production.

Over the offseason, they've repeatedly said there was a need to add wide receivers, but actions speak louder than words. The team drafted Matthew Golden in the first round and Savion Williams in the third — the first time ever the Packers took two receivers in the first three rounds of the same draft. They also a dded veteran Mecole Hardman in free agency.

If the Packers go from last to average in receiver errors, an offense that was already fourth in DVOA can get even better. Add to that Love's health, and there’s a clear path for an elite unit in 2025.