The Packers weren’t planning on Randall Cobb having as much of a role as he had last year.
But now that the marginalized-in-2012 Donald Driver’s retired and the oft-injured Greg Jennings has moved onto Minnesota, they’re counting on Cobb like never before. And he wants more.
The 22-year-old wideout said he’s looking forward to a bigger role in the offense after a breakout season, knowing he’s a more central figure in the plan along with Jordy Nelson and James Jones.
“I think definitely with Donald retiring and Greg leaving, it’s definitely going to be a lot more weight on me, James and Jordy’s shoulders,” Cobb said, via Weston Hodkiewicz of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. “But we’re taking on the challenge head-on. We’ve been really excited to get back and work. We’ve got some young guys, some drafted guys that’s coming in. We’re excited to get back to work and see how it’s going to turn out this year.”
Cobb caught 80 passes last year, and led the league in all-purpose yards. Not bad for a second-year receiver who was drafted 20 spots after Titus Young.
“I really don’t think I’ve peaked yet,” Cobb said. “I’m 22 years old. I’ve got a lot of learning still to do. I have a long way to go and I just hope I continue to get better over the next years.”
Of course, Cobb’s also going to have to get used to increased attention, and the possibility he might he shuffled off his return duties, making it more important for him to continue at last year’s offensive level.