Paul Bretl | 8/4/2025
GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Packers have again constructed a deep and competitive wide receiver room. So for third-year wideout Malik Heath, it’s another training camp where he is fighting for a roster spot.
However, this isn’t anything new for Heath, who has been in a similar spot during each of his first two NFL seasons.
“I’m just doing my job,” Heath said of the competition. “I compete, but I don’t too much worry about (it). I love my brothers and everything but I don’t too much worry about everything outside of football. So I just try to get my mind right for football.”
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Since going undrafted in 2023 out of Ole Miss, Heath has been on the Packers’ initial 53-man roster in each of his first two seasons. In 2023, that included beating out Bo Melton and Grant DuBose for a roster spot. In 2024, Heath again made the team coming out of training camp, fending off what was a strong showing over the summer by DuBose.
In two years with the Packers, Heath has appeared in 26 games on offense and made two starts. He’s caught 25 of the 37 targets that have gone his way, averaging 8.9 yards per catch with three touchdowns.
In a loaded wide receiver room, Heath’s playing time has been sporadic, filling in when injuries strike or in certain situations, specifically during early, more run-heavy downs where his physicality in the run game can be on display.
“I just keep trying to get better every day,” Heath said. “I try to help my team out by any means necessary. That can come from run-blocking or pass, I just try to help them out.”
While what took place during the 2024 season won’t impact what takes place in training camp when it comes to final roster decisions, Heath does have to shake his performance in the Packers’ Wildcard round loss to Philadelphia.
Due to injuries at receiver, Heath played 26 snaps in that game and was targeted by Jordan Love in some key situations. Unfortunately, he would end up 0-for-3 on those passes, and the missed plays ended up being quite costly.
On the throw from Love that was intercepted by Eagles’ linebacker Zack Baun, a pass that was intended for Heath, Matt LaFleur said in his season-ending press conference that the route was run at 15 yards when it needed to be run at 20 yards. That miscue drastically changes the throwing window for Love.
Heath’s second target came in the red zone, where it looked like the Packers had an easy touchdown opportunity. Love took the snap and threw to Heath on an out-breaking route near the front pylon, but the two were unable to connect, with Heath stumbling just a bit out of his break. The Packers would end up settling for a field goal on that possession.
Then, with five minutes left in the game and needing a first down, Love looked to Heath again, but the receiver couldn’t get both of his feet down in bounds to secure the reception.
“It’s Year 3, trying to get better,” Heath said of this upcoming season. “Trying to grow on the stuff I did my rookie year and in my second year. Just trying hone in a little bit more on details and stuff like that. I won’t be the reason the play doesn’t work.”
As alluded to, oftentimes when Heath has been called upon in games, he’s filled a very specific role. Either shouldering heavy run-blocking responsibilities or as an early-down target near the line of scrimmage. Of Heath’s 15 targets last season, 14 of them came within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage.
Heath’s focus this offseason has been on the details and nuances that come with playing the receiver position in LaFleur’s offense, but also on rounding out his game, so he can make an impact in a greater variety of ways. The ability to do more will be vital in this crowded Packers’ receiver room.
“This offseason I was just trying to focus on running more crisper routes,” Heath said. “Being more quarterback friendly, stuff like that. So I can get more playing time and stuff like that. Just working on my route details, basically.”
Between Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Matthew Golden, Dontayvion Wicks, and Savion Williams, that’s already five roster spots accounted for. Perhaps the Packers go heavy and keep seven receivers on the initial 53-man roster, but realistically, Heath and others may be competing for just one roster spot.
The ability to contribute on special teams and help out in the run game can certainly be differentiators at this position, but ultimately, day-to-day consistency will be the biggest determining factor in who is on the team and who isn’t. And by consistency, that doesn’t only refer to the receivers catching the passes that come their way, it’s also about executing on those finer details.
“He’s just got to continue to stack and maximize his opportunities,” LaFleur said of Heath. “Obviously, it’s a very competitive receiver room. I love how Malik competes and when called upon he’s done a nice job for us. I would say build upon that and maximize each rep.”