Packers’ Sharp Rookie, Jayden Reed, Crushes Sharpe’s Record vs. Vikings

Impressive second-round draft pick Jayden Reed needed two receptions to break Sterling Sharpe’s franchise record for most catches by a rookie. He accomplished that, and much more, against the Vikings.

MINNEAPOLIS – Sterling Sharpe is one of the greatest players in Green Bay Packers history. Rookie receiver Jayden Reed broke one of Sharpe’s franchise records during the first half of Sunday night’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.

A first-round pick in 1988, Sharpe caught 55 passes as a rookie. That broke Billy Howton’s 36-year-old Packers record for most receptions in a debut season. Thirty-five years later, Reed entered Sunday’s game at the Vikings needing two catches to break Sharpe’s record.

He wasted no time in getting there, though he broke the record with no style points. Reed caught a pass for 6 yards on the second possession to tie the record and opened the third possession for no gain to break the record. 

The style points came on the next play, when Reed got open deep over the middle for a 33-yard touchdown.

Late in the first half, Reed’s sixth catch of the night resulted in a 22-yard touchdown for a 23-3 lead. Reed caught the ball at the 22, broke a tackle by Harrison Smith and drug Josh Metellus 8 yards for the touchdown.

“Just an honor to be able to accomplish a goal like that,” Reed said recently. “Obviously, hasn’t been done in a long time so I’m just grateful for the people that put me in this position to do so. I’m highly grateful and blessed.”

Reed had 54 receptions to enter the night. Despite playing through a list of injuries, including a toe injury that made him inactive vs. Carolina, he extended his streak of games with at least four catches to seven in the first half vs. the Vikings.

While it’s an apples-to-oranges comparison, Reed entering Sunday vs. his Packers rookie peers:

- Had five more touchdown catches than Sharpe in 1988.

- Had caught eight more passes than Hall of Famer James Lofton in 1978.

- Had caught nine more passes than Greg Jennings, 16 more than Davante Adams, 21 more passes than Jordy Nelson and 29 more passes than Randall Cobb.

- Had caught 12 more passes than Romeo Doubs did last year.

- Had more touchdown receptions than anyone but Christian Watson (seven) over the last 69 years.

“Usually every year, me and my trainer will sit down and we write down our goals before every season,” Reed said. “I wouldn’t say I had any stat goals, really. Just go out there and play well was really the main goal for me. And win.”

Among this year’s rookie class, Reed was sixth in receptions (54), seventh in yards (592) and fourth in touchdowns (six). From the slot, he was second in receptions (35), second in yards (458) and tied for first in touchdowns (five).

Reed entered the game tied with Romeo Doubs for the team lead with eight total touchdowns.

“I’m just here to do my job and execute,” Reed said. “Whatever position they put me in, I’m just here to execute and do that job. Whatever is the best for me to do to help the team win, that’s my mindset: go out there and do whatever it takes.”

Has anything surprised him?

“At the end of the day, football is football,” Reed said. “I’ve been doing this since I’ve been 10 years old. The only difference is you’re playing with pro guys that are faster, bigger and more instinctive. That’s the biggest difference.

“I’ve been playing ball my whole life and I still don’t think I’ve scratched the surface of what I can be. I’m just looking to get better every day.”

Packers Rookie Receiving Top-10 Lists

Before Sunday night’s game at the Vikings

Receptions

Sterling Sharpe, 1988: 55

* Jayden Reed, 2023: 54

Billy Howton, 1952: 53

Gerry Ellis, 1980: 48

James Jones, 2007: 47

James Lofton, 1978: 46

Greg Jennings, 2006: 45

Romeo Doubs, 2022: 42

Christian Watson, 2022 41

Keith Woodside, 1988: 39

Receiving Yards

Billy Howton, 1952: 1,231

James Lofton, 1978: 818

Sterling Sharpe, 1988: 791

James Jones, 2007: 676

Greg Jennings, 2006: 632

Max McGee, 1954: 614

Christian Watson, 2022: 611

* Jayden Reed, 2023: 592

Marquez Valdes-Scantling, 2018: 581

Boyd Dowler, 1959: 549

(Note: Dontayvion Wicks is 11th with 520)

Receiving Touchdowns

Billy Howton, 1952: 13

Max McGee, 1954: 9

Christian Watson, 2022: 7

James Lofton, 1978: 6

* Jayden Reed, 2023: 6

Don Hutson, 1935: 6

Ray Pelfrey, 1951: 5

Carl Elliott, 1951: 5

Boyd Dowler, 1959: 4

Ed West, 1984: 4