Tyler Goodson has earned his teammates' respect. Now he wants a roster spot
After spending his rookie season marooned on the Packers' practice squad, Tyler Goodson looks ready to push for a spot on the 53-man roster.
To an even greater degree than a year ago, the Green Bay Packers offense will rely heavily on youth in 2023. Aaron Rodgers, Randall Cobb, Allen Lazard, Robert Tonyan, and Marcedes Lewis all departed this offseason, leaving the unit with a dearth of grizzled veterans at the skill positions. Running back Aaron Jones now stands as the last one who has graduated from his rookie contract.
With the youth movement in full swing, the Packers will look to Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and other recently minted starters to take the leap this season. But for the offense to exceed expectations, it will need players to rise from relative obscurity and step into larger roles.
"We definitely have some playmakers in this locker room, and I think they've been showing it through these OTAs," Jones said this past week. "We have some speed. So, it isn't just going to take me. I think we have some weapons and some young guys stepping up and making plays as well."
And one teammate in particular seems to have caught his eye.
"I think Tyler Goodson will be a weapon for us," Jones added. "He's been out here balling and he's been working hard."
Goodson, a 22-year-old tailback out of Iowa, arrived in Green Bay a year ago. Though he didn't hear his name called during the 2022 NFL Draft, his versatility and impressive athletic profile made him a coveted commodity in undrafted free agency and landed him a spot on The Leap's annual Packers UDFA Prospectus. Goodson went on to lead the team in rushing during the preseason while finishing sixth in receiving yardage.
However, despite the commendable showing, Goodson couldn't manage to crack the 53-man roster. The Packers let him go during final cuts, signing him to the practice squad after the rookie cleared waivers. Goodson remained there for the remainder of the season.
The narrative around Goodson has shifted considerably in the time since. Not only has he earned Jones' praise, but he looks like a more complete player entering his second year as well. Even facing stiff competition from a running back with regular-season experience (Patrick Taylor) and another whom the team drafted this past April (Lew Nichols III), the excitement Goodson has generated to this point in the process feels palpable.
"I feel like the work I put in during the offseason before I came here definitely showed even like going through a simple drill or a play," Goodson said during mandatory minicamp. "Whatever it is, I can feel the movements in my body paying off from workouts and the stuff I worked on coming into play.
"And that's what I really want to do, just play for the coaches and for them see that I really care and I really put in the time to be the best player I can be on the field."
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