Green Bay Packers Reportedly Looking into LB Help via Trade

In an offseason full of unknowns, one thing has been crystal clear when it comes to the Green Bay Packers—they are all-in on the 2021 season. And with that approach, it could lead to some more aggressive moves than what we’ve seen in the past.

After a Week 1 performance where the defense had no answers for New Orleans and struggled immensely, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reported on Friday that the Packers were making some calls earlier in the week to see which linebackers might be available for trade:

"“I’ve heard the Green Bay Packers were working the phones early in the week to get some linebacker help for their defense following the 38-3 drubbing by the Saints. Green Bay (obviously) didn’t get much in the way of help, though, as teams who may have been willing to part with linebackers two weeks ago didn’t want to do it now that the season has begun and injuries have already taken place.“"

For several years now, the linebacker position for the Green Bay Packers is one that has underwhelmed. It’s also been a position that the team has spent little monetary or draft capital on as well.

Coming into this season, their top-2 linebackers were 2020 undrafted rookie Krys Barnes, and veteran De’Vondre Campbell, who is now on his third team in as many seasons. Oren Burks, who has been a primary special teams player, is the third option.

Against the Saints Week 1, Campbell and Barnes, who played a majority of the snaps, combined for 13 tackles and allowed four completions for 20 yards, according to PFF ($$). While they weren’t flashy or spectacular, I didn’t think that they were awful by any means either.

Andy Herman of Packer Report, who comes out with his weekly grades, had the Green Bay linebacker unit as the only defensive position with a positive overall grade.

Now with that said, that certainly doesn’t mean that this position can’t be upgraded—it can. But what the Green Bay Packers are willing to invest to do that and who might actually be available are the two big questions.

As Jones mentioned in his report, teams seem unwilling to make a deal at this time—meaning, Green Bay might have to play the waiting game until someone that they desire becomes available.

Campbell and Barnes will never be a top-tier linebacker duo, we know that, but I do believe that they can find success in Joe Barry’s defense.

If it were up to me — and maybe the Packers are doing this — Green Bay should be calling around to upgrade the defensive front instead. I found their play much more concerning than what we saw from the linebacker position. And better defensive line play will also have a positive trickle-down effect to the linebackers.