The Green Bay Packers' 2025 season may have been a disappointment, but it offered a silver lining for quarterback Jordan Love. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Love's connections with wide receiver Matthew Golden and tight end Tucker Kraft were the most efficient in the NFL, leading all wide receivers and tight ends in expected points added (EPA) per play. This is a significant achievement, as EPA is a critical factor in determining wins and losses, as Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson noted.
What makes this even more impressive is the context. Golden, the team's first receiver drafted in the first round in over two decades, played just over half of the offensive snaps and still finished tied for fourth in targets. He caught 31 out of 41 targets (75.6%) for 425 yards and a touchdown, with 19 of his catches resulting in first downs. This is a testament to Golden's ability to make the most of his opportunities, despite limited playing time.
Kraft, on the other hand, was having a breakout season before tearing his ACL in Week 9. He led all tight ends in yards per catch (15.3) and yards after catch (344), catching 72.7 percent of his 44 targets. Love's connection with Kraft was so strong that he registered a perfect passer rating of 157.2, including six touchdowns and no interceptions. This is a significant improvement over other quarterback-receiver combinations, such as Dak Prescott to George Pickens, Matthew Stafford to Puka Nacua, and Sam Darnold to Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Love's connection with Christian Watson also finished 9th on the list in EPA per play, indicating that the Packers have multiple efficient passing options. With a larger role mapped out for Golden, a healthy Kraft returning, and potentially a full season out of Watson, the Packers' offense is looking strong for the 2026 season. The team is no longer reliant on Davante Adams, and with weapons like Jayden Reed, the only thing that could hold the offense back is injuries.
In my opinion, the Packers' passing game is now one of the most exciting in the league. Love's connections with Golden and Kraft are a significant factor in this, and with the potential for Watson to have a full season, the team is set to make a strong run in 2026. The only question is whether Love can maintain this level of performance and lead the Packers to success.
