Youth Lends a Hand in Packers' Win in Chicago

 By Eric Goska

Christian Watson caught 3 passes for 48 yards and a TD in Chicago.
(screen capture from NFL Game Pass)

Aaron Rodgers has connected with rookie receivers more so this season than any other.

And that turn toward the less-experienced so late in his career makes for an intriguing storyline as the longest tenured player in Packers history nears the end of his playing days.

Rodgers had rookie help on each of Green Bay’s final four scoring drives as the Packers rallied past the Bears 28-19 at Soldier Field. The game marked the 13th straight this season in which the quarterback completed at least one pass to a rookie.

Now in his 18th season, Rodgers has always preferred working with those he knows well. Familiarity is a big reason for the long-term success he enjoyed with Davante Adams, Jordy Nelson and others.

This season, Rodgers has had to adapt to a trio of rookies: Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Samori Toure. Though a learning experience for all, the numbers have been encouraging.

Youth again played a role in the Packers’ fortunes Sunday. Watson and Toure combined to catch four passes for 55 yards and a touchdown. Doubs (ankle) remained inactive.

Watson’s three receptions all brought first downs. His 14-yard TD catch on fourth down got Green Bay to within six (16-10) just before halftime. His 15-yarder erased the only third down on an 82-yard drive that cut the Bears’ lead to 19-17. And his 19-yard effort occurred two plays before his 46-yard dash ended the day’s scoring.

Toure’s contribution consisted of a 7-yard catch on a 56-yard advance that Mason Crosby capped with a 32-yard field goal to put the Packers up 20-19.

Rodgers completed 18 passes against the Bears, with the aforementioned four going to rookies. That percentage (22.2) to those fresh out of college is similar to what he has done overall in 2022.

Through 13 games, Rodgers has completed 272 passes. Fifty-eight (21.3 percent) have gone to Doubs 31, Watson 22 and Toure 5.

That may seem low, but the 58 is a career-high. Rodgers’ previous best had been 57 in 2018 throwing to the likes of Marquez Valdes-Scantling (35), Equanimeous St. Brown (21) and J’Mon Moore (1). He had 56 in 2014 when Adams (37) and Richard Rodgers (19) served as targets.

Only two Packers have completed more than 58 passes to rookies in a season. Don Majkowski had 59 in 1988 (Sterling Sharpe 30, Keith Woodside 27 and Patrick Collins 2) and Brett Favre chalked up 77 in 2007 (James Jones 45, Brandon Jackson 15, DeShawn Wynn 9 and Korey Hall 8).

But neither Favre (2 TDs) nor Majkowski (2) reached the end zone as frequently as Rodgers and his youngsters. Ten of Rodgers’ 22 TD passes this season have gone to rookies: Watson 6, Doubs 3, and Toure 1.

That’s impressive. It’s two shy of the franchise record set by Tobin Rote (Max McGee 9, Veryl Switzer 2 and Joe Johnson 1) in 1954.

And those six TD passes to Watson? The only other Green Bay passer-rookie receiver duos to have matched or exceeded that were Arnie Herber and Don Hutson (6 in 1935), Rote and Bill Howton (8 in 1952), Rote and McGee (9 in 1954) and David Whitehurst and James Lofton (6 in 1978).

This infusion of youth has moved Rodgers to the head of a couple of career lists. He has thrown 339 passes to rookies, 20 more than Favre did in 16 years in Green Bay. And he has collaborated with 35 rookies, six more than his predecessor.

But all good things must come to an end. It’s quite possible that Watson, Doubs and Toure go down as the last rookies to catch a pass from No. 12 who turned 39 two days before facing the Bears. That the productivity of the three is on par with the best of the past bodes well for the future of the Green Bay Packers.  

Youth is Served
Players who completed 90 or more passes to rookies during their regular-season careers with the Packers.

No.	Yds.	TDs	Player	Years	No. of Rookies
339	4,019	29	Aaron Rodgers	2005-2022	35
319	3,417	13	Brett Favre	1992-2007	29
*183	2,607	27	Tobin Rote	1950-1956	18
105	1,364	4	Don Majkowski	1987-1992	11
101	1,145	7	Randy Wright	1984-1988	11
97	1,291	8	Lynn Dickey	1976-1977, 1979-1985	11
96	1,175	4	Bart Starr	1956-1971	20

*Rote’s totals are likely slightly higher as there are 9 passes from 1952 and 1953 in which the quarterback who threw them cannot be determined.