In the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers didn’t have a first-round draft pick because of trading for All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons last offseason.
Even though we’re still waiting for them to make their first selection in the draft, they got their day started by extending wide receiver Jayden Reed. Here’s how the NFL world reacted.
NFL World Reacts to Jayden Reed Extension
With the 50th overall pick in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Packers drafted Reed. Since then, he has had an average impact score of 81.1 in PFSN’s NFL Wide Receiver Impact Metric. He’s recorded a total of 138 receptions for 1857 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns.
Now, he and the team have agreed to terms on a three-year, $50.25 million extension.
Wide receiver Jayden Reed and the Packers now have agreed to a three-year contract extension worth $50.25 million in new money, including $20 million guaranteed, per agents Drew Rosenhaus and Ian Grutman. pic.twitter.com/O9e0pqOy2S
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 24, 2026
NFL Insider Adam Schefter followed up with the wide receiver room around him, which includes the following names: “Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, Matthew Golden, Will Sheppard, Savion Williams, Skyy Moore, Bo Melton, Isaiah Neyor, and Jakobie Keeney-James.”
The Packers WR room:
🏈Jayden Reed
🏈Christian Watson
🏈Matthew Golden
🏈Will Sheppard
🏈Savion Williams
🏈Skyy Moore
🏈Bo Melton
🏈Isaiah Neyor
🏈Jakobie Keeney-James https://t.co/NN9Ps4GlIh— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 24, 2026
Packers journalist Ross Uglem responded to the move by saying, “That is highly reasonable.”
that is highly reasonable https://t.co/Dh8MuZ3PVX
— Ross Uglem (@RossUglem) April 24, 2026
Podcaster Bruce Nolan wondered about how Reed’s role will change, posting, “Are they gonna start using him now?”
Are they gonna start using him now? https://t.co/QRmoYpVNBR
— Bruce Nolan (@BruceExclusive) April 24, 2026
NFL and College Football Writer Jason B. Hirschhorn talks about the organization’s strategy with the move, saying, “This confirms a few things: 1. The Packers don’t need to force a wideout on Day 2 of the draft. 2. The plan isn’t for Matthew Golden to play over 40% of his offensive snaps in the slot again.”
This confirms a few things:
1. The Packers don’t need to force a wideout on Day 2 of the draft.
2. The plan isn’t for Matthew Golden to play over 40% of his offensive snaps in the slot again. https://t.co/DwSGjO2vib
— Jason B. Hirschhorn (@by_JBH) April 24, 2026
Packers writer Eli Berkovits says that now the focus should turn to Christian Watson, “Jayden Reed gets his extension with the #Packers! This is a fantastic deal for both sides. Now it’s Christian Watson’s turn.”
Jayden Reed gets his extension with the #Packers!
This is a fantastic deal for both sides.
Now it’s Christian Watson’s turn. https://t.co/ddTrCOzjRJ
— Eli Berkovits (@BookOfEli_NFL) April 24, 2026
YouTube football show host Tyler Brooke says, “WR29 in AAV. That’s a very good deal. And a nice payday for Bird!”
WR29 in AAV.
That’s a very good deal. And a nice payday for Bird! https://t.co/bXCpTuRrKX
— Tyler Brooke (@TylerDBrooke) April 24, 2026
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Finally, Hayden Winks calls out how the Packers utilize him, saying, “$1M per snap with how the Packers use him.”
$1M per snap with how the Packers use him https://t.co/xW90ta3qPZ
— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) April 24, 2026
Even though Reed hasn’t been utilized to his full potential, which has led to limited production, this move cements that the Packers are very high on him.
