Packers receivers providing an assist to Aaron Jones’ career year

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A disciple of Mike Shanahan, Head Coach Matt LaFleur has emphasized the importance of receiver blocking everywhere he’s coached. That core belief has meshed perfectly with Packers receiver coach Alvis Whitted.


Lazard said the receivers’ motivation to perform well in that aspect of the game is half the continued emphasis of the coaching staff and half their own pride in doing what’s asked of them.


It might not make highlight reels as easily as a touchdown or a clutch reception, but an argument can be made a key block like Valdes-Scantling’s Monday can be just as critical to the overall success of an offense.


“It's great to see them take pride in that aspect of the game,” center Corey Linsley said. “We know how unappreciated it can be at times and how we just take pride in ourselves. They're in the limelight 24/7 making catches and everything, so for them to go out there and sacrifice their bodies and kind of join us a little bit, it's great.”


Now in his fifth season, Adams says he gets as amped for a game-changing block as he does a catch. For example, when Kumerow created a lane for Jones on a 42-yard pickup against Washington, Adams said he thought “that’s the highest I’ve ever jumped” in congratulatory excitement.


Adams has been a big fan of Jones dating back to when he first arrived as a fifth-round pick out of UTEP in the 2017 NFL Draft, tabbing Jones as his “dark horse” to become an impact player for the Packers’ offense.


Two years later, Jones has his sets his sights on several milestones and records this Sunday against the Lions. Wanting to help a teammate, Adams and the rest of the Packers’ receivers are eager to do whatever’s asked of them against the Lions to secure a first-round bye.


“When he first got here, I called out and said that he’s going to be the player he is today, so I like to take a little bit of credit for that,” said Adams, jokingly. “But yeah, he’s a great player. He’s obviously contributed a lot to this team’s success as far as putting points on the board. I love it.”