Packers @ Chiefs
Final Score: Chiefs 17, Packers 10
Writer: Ryan McDonough (@RyanTalksFF on Twitter)
In what was a relatively quiet offensive game for both sides, there were a few notable emergences from guys that are jockeying for roster spots in the final weeks of the preseason. Patrick Mahomes made a cameo appearance and took a delay of game in the huddle to honor the late Len Dawson and took in the rest of the game from the sideline. Matt LaFleur may have tipped his hand in terms of experimenting with some new offensive concepts that might have been stolen from one Kyle Shanahan. If this game should give us anything to feel certain about, it is that Jordan Love is not the future of the Green Bay Packers.
Green Bay Packers
| Preseason Week 1 | Preseason Week 2 |
Quarterback
Jordan Love: 16/26, 148 yards, INT | 1 carry, 5 yards
Danny Etling: 10/13, 97 yards | 1 carry, 7 yards
If there is any reason that the Packers spent a first-round pick on a QB when they still have Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Love has done nothing to prove that action to be a sound decision. It really is a pretty bad look when he gets outplayed by former 7th-round pick Danny Etling, especially when we likely won’t see him get any action until next preseason. It is time we really take another look at the Packers’ future at quarterback in the post-Rodgers era, because Love isn’t the answer. This tweet pretty much sums it up:
Packers fans when Jordan Love completes a 5 yard check down pic.twitter.com/PUq7m6lA1c
— Bears Nation (@BearsNationCHI) August 21, 2022
Running Back
Patrick Taylor: 7 carries, 34 yards | 3 targets, 3 receptions, 17 yards
Tyler Goodson: 7 carries, 28 yards, TD | 5 targets, 5 receptions, 26 yards
Tyler Goodson was definitely a standout from an otherwise lackluster game. The rookie out of Iowa showed that he is more than capable of both taking handoffs, and being a pass catcher in the backfield. On Green Bay’s first drive, Goodson took a handoff for minimal gain and then caught a pass out of the backfield and made a few defenders miss to pick up a first down. At the beginning of the second quarter, Goodson ripped off a 24-yard TD run.
.@tgood1110 finished with the spin! 🌪️
TOUCHDOWN! 🙌#GBvsKC | #GoPackGo
📺 Packers TV Network + @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/Gv5Do2X1wm
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) August 26, 2022
That run passed the “oof” factor for sure. Five targets for a running back in a preseason game should be enough to warrant at least minimal attention from those who wonder what might happen if Aaron Jones misses any time this year, but someone who makes something out of those touches can be a real difference maker. The only thing that really holds either of these guys from getting looks this season is the fact that Green Bay decided to commit to Jones with a hefty contract, a questionable move to say the least.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Samori Toure: 8 targets, 6 receptions, 83 yards
Amari Rodgers: 4 targets, 4 receptions, 39 yards | 3 carries, 17 yards
Romeo Doubs: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 13 yards
Sal Cannella: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 18 yards
Samori Toure is just the latest of what appears to be a constant string of underdog receivers finding their way in Green Bay. Amari Rodgers has unveiled a new role in Matt LaFleur’s offense, a sort of dual threat.
Amari Rodgers looks like a completely different player than he did last year…
In a very good way. pic.twitter.com/6FOnfyYMqF
— Eli Berkovits (@BookOfEli_NFL) August 26, 2022
It shouldn’t be shocking that LaFleur would try out using this dual-threat role with the success that Deebo Samuel enjoyed in it last year. That being said, Rodgers is obviously not Deebo Samuel, but the foundation has been laid. Though it may not be Amari featured in this role during the regular season, look for one of the Packers receivers to try it out at some point.
Kansas City Chiefs
| Preseason Week 1 | Preseason Week 2 |
Quarterback
Shane Buechele: 11/17, 116 yards, 2 TD | 3 carries, 4 yards
Chad Henne: 4/7, 23 yards | 1 carry, 2 yards
Shane Buechele impressed me. Should he ever start in an NFL game? No. Is he a serviceable backup? Nope. The kid got his team a preseason win against a first-round pick, you have to love it.
#Chiefs QB Shane Buechele finds WR Daurice Fountain out of the motion and Fountain takes it up the sideline for a 29-yard pickup. #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/bvOu5cmqRP
— Devon Clements (@DevclemNFL) August 26, 2022
Running Back
Isaiah Pacheco: 10 carries, 52 yards
Ronald Jones: 8 carries, 43 yards | 1 target, 1 reception, 4 yards
I’m still not sold on Isaiah Pacheco, but his work on Thursday night was definitely impressive. He managed to find the hole a couple of times, which is a facet of the game that the press has had no issue blowing up as the season has gotten going.
Ronald Jones may have produced just enough to stick around with some tough running throughout his carries, averaging 5.4 yards per carry with a longest run of 9. Kansas City hasn’t really had a power back in their system for awhile, often electing for the smaller and more nimble archetype, so we’ll have to see if Jones sticks on this roster.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Matt Bushman: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 73 yards, 2 TD
Daurice Fountain: 3 targets. 2 receptions, 36 yards
Jody Fortson: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 26 yards
Mecole Hardman: 1 target, 1 reception, 5 yards
Now, this could be interesting! Matt Bushman looked great in his playing time and may have done enough to get a shot of being Travis Kelce’s running mate at TE. Bushman managed to find the end zone twice before leaving the game with a clavicle injury, once on a wheel route down the left sideline when he was left uncovered, and again from the two yard line on a quick out route.
Matt Bushman with the 54 yard TD 🔥pic.twitter.com/Acl0lnUNqq
— Brad Henson Productions (@BradHensonPro) August 26, 2022
Apparently one touchdown wasn’t good enough for Matt Bushman.. honey hands finds the endzone for the second time tonight 🤯 pic.twitter.com/7ntRvLlSUj
— Daily Universe Sports (@DailyUnivSports) August 26, 2022
That second one probably should have been picked off. Noah Gray has been the second tight end for Andy Reid’s offense for the past couple of seasons, but Bushman could make his way into that rotation if he continues to put up solid work in camp. Kelce is getting up there in age and Bushman fits the bill of someone who could be the next pass catcher at the position. Only time will tell.