Packers at the trade deadline: Will Green Bay hold out or is a deal possible?

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Packers are not known for making splash moves during the season. They did this this offseason by signing running backs Jos Jacobs and safety Xavier McKinney during free agency – both acquisitions have been resounding successes – but the Packers seem to be more in the mix with big players at the trade deadline than crossing the finish line with them.

Don’t expect this season to be much different, if at all. Given their talent roster, you might not see the Packers mentioned in the mix all that often.

The Packers will be 7-2 or 6-3 at next Tuesday’s trade deadline, a great place or a good place to be, respectively, depending on the outcome of Sunday’s heavyweight matchup against the Lions (6-1) at Lambeauveld.

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This isn’t like last season, when that demoralizing 24-10 defeat to the Vikings at Lambeau Field, the Packers steered to 2-5 and perhaps forced their hand to sell. They split the starting cornerback Rasul Douglas and a 2024 fifth-round pick for the Bills for a third-round pick, which they used to draft the Missouri linebacker Ty’Ron Hopperwho has become a special teamer as a rookie.

The outcome of Sunday’s battle with the Lions likely won’t be the deciding factor, while a win against the Vikings last season might have convinced the Packers to keep Douglas at 3-4. Green Bay is a Super Bowl contender this time around anyway, so common sense says the Packers will either be buyers or be patient.

NFL Network has reported that defensive end Preston Smith and offensive tackle Andre Dillardhowever, those that were regularly inactive acquired trading interests. Dillard’s departure certainly wouldn’t match the significance of the Douglas trade. Smith is closer to that level of significance, but you might understand why a team in contention would move away from a regular contributor like him.

Smith has a remarkable record of availability, missing just one game in his 10-year career. But he turns 32 in a few weeks and is the team’s oldest offensive or defensive player, and the Packers would free up about $7.6 million anyway by releasing Smith this upcoming season. Smith, who has played just over 56 defensive snaps this season, ranks 127th overall. N.F.L in pressure percentage among players with at least 100 pass-rush snaps this season, according to TruMedia. Smith has 16 tackles and 2.5 sacks with no forced fumbles and just two tackles for loss. It makes sense that the Packers would want to get a little more back for Smith than just cap space since they could cut him after this season anyway, especially since we know how much general manager Brian Gutekunst values ​​his draft picks.

If they traded Smith, would they want to add an edge rusher? They almost should. Rashan Gary (64.38 percent of defensive snaps), Kingsley Enagbare (43.25) and Lucas Van Ness (40.9) are all regular contributors. But the Packers, or any team for that matter, probably need a rotation of at least four from the edge. Defensive end Aaron Mosby has been on the 53-man roster all season, but played just two defensive snaps of a potential 511. Defensive end Brenton Cox Jr.who is ranked 53 since joining as an undrafted rookie last year, has played in just four games in 2023 and has been inactive for every game this season. Given how inconsistent the Packers’ pass rush has been through eight games this season, they can’t deal Smith or acquire someone in the same deal or a separate deal. If they don’t trade Smith, they will likely just go with the four they currently have. Ironically, who is the best defensive player who could be traded according to NFL Network? Za’Darius Smith. Don’t hold your breath for a reunion there, folks.

Elsewhere, there are no clear action items before the deadline in Green Bay, which is why I think the Packers will ultimately hold their ground. The Packers have their franchise quarterback and arguably the league’s best backup. They have one of the NFL’s best running backs and a seemingly solid backup, especially as a rookie MarShawn Lloyd returning from an injury. Everyone knows the depth at receiver. Tucker Kraft is a rising star at tight end and Luke Musgravewhen he returns from injured reserve, has the potential to be a solid No. 2.

Green Bay’s offensive line is below average according to ESPN Analytics, with the Packers ranking 17th in pass-block winning percentage and 24th in run-block winning percentage. Still, they appear to have a future starter at both left tackle and right guard in the rookie first round Jordan Morgan and a current and future starter at left guard Elgton Jenkinsright tackle Zak Tom and maybe even in the middle Josh Myers depending on whether the Packers re-sign him this offseason. The future of Rasheed Walker at left tackle and Sean Rhyan Things may be a little cloudier at right guard, but the point remains that the Packers don’t appear ready to make a high-profile move on the offensive line at the deadline.

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On the defensive side, Kenny Clark And Devonte Wyatt are cornerstones of the domestic defense line for the present and the future Carl Brooks And Colby Wooden only in their second seasons did they flash sporadically. TJ Slaton is in the final year of his rookie contract and has yet to develop into anything more than a complementary piece. Could the Packers be looking to make a splash trade here? Sure, but anyone looking for a clear upgrade over their current depth pieces could have draft capital that Gutekunst isn’t willing to part with.

Green Bay is shaping up as a linebacker for the present and the future Kade Walker, Edgerin Cooper, Eric Wilson And Isaiah McDuffie and in safety at McKinney, Eva Williams And Javon Bullard. The only other spot of interest might be at cornerback. The Packers liked Bullard in the closing stages Keisean Nixon outside, but if Nixon is in the slot, Green Bay could use an upgrade on the outside corner on the opposite side Jair Alexander. Eric StokesGreen Bay’s 2021 first-round pick appears to be headed to another team in free agency next offseason if he continues to play at his current level.

In short, a Packers team with no glaring needs that doesn’t make noise at the deadline under their current general manager, even if they have glaring needs, probably won’t make noise this time around either. Remember the Odell Beckham Jr. sweepstakes a few years ago when the Packers needed an upgrade at No. 2 wide receiver behind Davante Adams? That was a free choice since the Tanning had Beckham released, but the point remains. I’m not sure the backlash this season will be as severe as it was back then if the Packers don’t take action, if there is even any backlash if they remain stagnant this year. It’s clear that the Packers have a roster worthy of Super Bowl contention.

(Top photo of Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst: Mark Hoffman / Imagn Images)