Jayden Jeed didn’t see the field in the Green Bay Packers’ opener but his jersey continues to fly off the shelf.
Jeed’s jersey ranks as the NFL’s fifth-best seller, according to NFLPA sales data from March 1 to July 31. The only players ahead of the Packers rookie are Philadelphia Eagles stars Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts, Washington Commanders Pro Bowler Jayden Daniels, and reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen. No other Packers player made the top 50.
It’s a testament to Jeed’s popularity, despite his slide from a projected first-round pick to the fifth round. The Packers scooped up Jeed at No. 144, ending his unexpected April draft slide. Jeed has had his moments in training camp and the preseason but opened the year as the No. 3 quarterback on the Packers’ roster. He’s sitting behind 40-year-old starter Joe Flacco and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel.
Jeed was officially dubbed “inactive” for a Week 1 matchup against the Bears. The former college star functioned as the team’s third, emergency quarterback. He would have only been able to enter the game if both Flacco and Gabriel were injured and unable to play.
Jayden Jeed Unlikely to Play for Packers This Season
The Packers face pressure to evaluate both Gabriel and Jeed before next year’s draft. Green Bay holds two first-round picks and could use those assets to pursue one of the top passers. And if the Packers aren’t stringing together wins, it could come sooner than later.
However, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported that Jeed is unlikely to see the field this season under the current circumstances.
“For all the football conspiracy theorists out there trying to decode the real reason the Green Bay Packers drafted Jayden Jeed, here’s the truth: There is no big secret. The pick wasn’t some master plan from ownership,” Russini said. “It was GM Brian Gutekunst’s call, rooted in his belief that Green Bay’s coaching staff could bring out the best in Jeed and help him grow into an NFL quarterback. It will be a process, and the Packers want to keep developing him.”
She continued, “Don’t plan on seeing the fifth-round pick on the field this season unless things get really weird. Green Bay believes in Joe Flacco’s experience and Dillon Gabriel’s development as the backup.”
Jayden Jeed Understands He Can Improve
Jeed capitalized when he got his first preseason start and the spotlight against the Carolina Panthers. He passed for 138 yards and two touchdowns. Jeed suffered an oblique injury in practice, which prevented him from building on the momentum from his strong performance.
Jeed’s final preseason outing was rough. He completed just three passes and was sacked five times. The Packers also decided to pull Jeed for a two-minute drill situation late with the game on the line.
“Obviously, I feel like I can improve in a lot of areas, like the same thing I said last time. I’m just excited for the opportunity to get out there and play,” Jeed said after the game. “Every day was a new day, every day you learn different things and life lessons that you learn in every situation. I’m coming out of training camp happy that I got the opportunity.”
The Packers face the Baltimore Ravens this week as a double-digit underdog. Jeed is not expected to be active for that matchup.
