Savion Williams’ Fresh Start: How a New WR Coach Could Spark a Sophomore Surge in Green Bay
Savion Williams didn’t exactly set the league on fire in his rookie season. The third-round pick out of TCU finished with just 10 catches for 78 yards and a touchdown-hardly the kind of impact Green Bay was hoping for when they added him to an already crowded wide receiver room. And while fellow rookie Matthew Golden found his stride late in the year-stepping up big in the Packers’ wild-card loss to the Bears-Williams was still trying to find his footing.
But the Packers just made a move that could change the trajectory of Williams’ young career.
Green Bay is bringing in Noah Pauley as their new wide receivers coach, and that hire could be a game-changer for Williams. Pauley, previously with Penn State, has built a reputation as one of the more promising young coaches in college football. He’s interviewed for NFL offensive coordinator jobs, and more importantly for the Packers, he’s developed several top-tier wideouts-including Jayden Higgins, Jaylin Noel, and Green Bay’s own Christian Watson.
For a player like Williams, who’s still raw but undeniably talented, Pauley’s arrival couldn’t come at a better time.
A Raw Prospect with Untapped Potential
Williams came into the league with intriguing tools. At TCU, he wasn’t just a wideout-he was a Swiss Army knife. He took snaps at running back, lined up in the Wildcat as a quarterback, and showed flashes of athleticism that made him a four-star recruit out of Marshall High School in Texas, where he played as a dual-threat QB.
But transitioning to a full-time receiver at the NFL level is no easy task, especially in a system that already features multiple young pass-catching options. Williams’ limited production in Year 1 wasn’t just about opportunity-it was also about development.
He’s still learning the finer points of the position, from route precision to reading coverages on the fly. That’s where Pauley comes in.
Why Pauley Matters
Pauley has a track record of getting the most out of his receivers. He’s not just a technician-he’s a teacher. His ability to mold prospects into NFL-ready players is well-documented, and he already has familiarity with one of the Packers’ key pieces in Christian Watson, having coached him at North Dakota State.
Now, he’ll be tasked with doing the same for Williams, who needs refinement but has the physical tools to be a contributor in this offense. And with the Packers’ wide receiver room potentially in flux, the opportunity is there.
Romeo Doubs, who led the team in receiving yards last season (724 yards, six touchdowns), is heading into free agency. Dontayvion Wicks could be on the trade block. That opens the door for someone like Williams to step up-if he’s ready.
Not Just About Williams
Of course, Williams isn’t the only one who stands to benefit from Pauley’s arrival. Golden, who had a quiet rookie season before flashing in the playoffs, is another young receiver who could take a leap with more consistent coaching and development. He showed he could handle the moment when it mattered most, and now he’ll have a full offseason to build on that momentum under Pauley’s guidance.
Then there’s Christian Watson. The former second-round pick battled injuries throughout the season but still managed to rack up the second-most receiving yards on the team (611) in just 10 games.
The Packers are clearly invested in his future, and bringing in his former college coach only reinforces that commitment. If Watson can stay healthy, the chemistry with Pauley could help unlock his full potential.
A WR Room in Transition
The Packers’ offense is in an interesting spot heading into 2026. Quarterback Jordan Love showed real growth, and the team’s playoff appearance was a sign that things are trending in the right direction. But the receiving corps is still evolving.
Tight end Tucker Kraft is recovering from a torn ACL, which could shift more targets toward the wideouts early in the season. That’s another potential opening for Williams, who-if healthy-could find himself with more opportunities to contribute.
Last season, Williams was limited to just 91 offensive snaps across 12 games, dealing with a lingering foot injury that hampered his ability to stay on the field, let alone make an impact. But with a clean bill of health and a new position coach who specializes in player development, the pieces are in place for a turnaround.
The Bottom Line
Savion Williams has work to do. No one’s handing him a starting job or projecting a breakout year just yet. But the addition of Noah Pauley gives him a legitimate chance to reset, grow, and prove he belongs in Green Bay’s long-term plans.
Sometimes, all a young player needs is the right coach at the right time. For Williams, that time might be now.