You never get a second chance to make first impressions, and the Green Bay Packers’ 2023 draft class left a mark during their first action on Sunday against the Chicago Bears.
“I was really proud of our young guys,” head coach Matt LaFleuer said following the game. “I’m not quite sure how many rookies we had out there today, but there were a lot of them…That rookie class has got just, they love ball.”
Buy Packers TicketsLukas Van Ness, Luke Musgrave, Jayden Reed, Anders Carlson, Colby Wooden, and Karl Brooks all made an impact during Green Bay’s 38-20 victory against the Bears on Sunday.
Van Ness, the 13th overall pick showed off the athleticism that made him a Top 15 pick when he chased down Justin Fields for his first career sack on second down near the goalline that helped keep the Bears out of the endzone. To go along with his first career sack, Van Ness logged five pressures on 35 snaps.
Packers rookie Lukas Van Ness took down Justin Fields for his first career sack in his NFL debut against the Bears. https://t.co/HYgvpQyjBS
— The Packers Wire (@ThePackersWire) September 11, 2023
Luke Musgrave, the 42nd overall pick reeled in three receptions for 50 yards. Musgrave also had a key block on an Aaron Jones third down run that kept Green Bay’s opening drive alive. His stumbling 37-yard catch in the fourth quarter set up a touchdown.
Can we talk about this play to Luke Musgrave…?
Hahahahaha
pic.twitter.com/q9v6vRDpRM— Hogg (@HoggNFL) September 10, 2023
Jayden Reed, the 50th overall pick made an impact on offense and special teams. The dynamic wide receiver caught two passes for 48 yards. On special teams, Reed had a 35-yard punt return in the third quarter that set the Packers up at Chicago’s 42-yard line. The Packers scored four plays later on a touchdown pass from Jordan Love to Aaron Jones to go up 24-6.
Explosive plays in the #Packers passing game without Christian Watson
Jayden Reed, 30 yards (set up FG)
Aaron Jones, 51 yards (set up TD)
Aaron Jones, 35 yards (TD)
Luke Musgrave, 38 yards (set up TD)— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) September 10, 2023
Colby Wooden and Karl Brooks, a pair of day three defensive linemen combined to play 65 snaps. The duo recorded seven pressures (four for Wooden, three for Brooks) and one sack (Brooks).
Anders Carlson, the 207th overall pick was perfect in his pro debut. The Auburn kicker made his lone field goal attempt and went 5-5 on extra point attempts. The rookie kicker drilled a 52-yard field goal as time expired in the first half to put the Packers up 10-6 at the break.
Anders Carlson’s first NFL field goal “was good from a million yards out.”
pic.twitter.com/NGke7i1L5o— Auburn Gold Mine (@AUGoldMine) September 10, 2023
Rookie of the Game
After a turbulent training camp and preseason, it was great to see Carlson put together a perfect afternoon on the road at Soldier Field. His 52-yard field goal right before halftime would have been good from 60-yards.
There are bound to be bumps in the road during his rookie season, but a perfect start to the season will go a long way for Carlson’s confidence moving forward.
