Packers Rumors: Gutey looking for receiver help on trade market
By Paul Bretl
The 2022 NFL trade deadline is only a few weeks away, and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler is reporting that there are rumblings of the Green Bay Packers being interested in acquiring a wide receiver.
"“A few general managers I’ve spoken to are certain Green Bay is looking for potential receiver help on the trade market,” wrote Fowler ($$)."
Fowler would go on to suggest that Pittsburgh’s Chase Claypool would make a lot of sense for the Packers.
This also isn’t the first time he has suggested this idea. In a recent article, Fowler proposed that the Packers acquire Claypool and a seventh-round pick in return for Amari Rodgers and a fourth-round selection.
Claypool posted 932 receiving yards in his rookie season of 2020 and then 885 yards in 2021. He’s found the end zone 13 times, including 11 touchdowns in 2020, and has caught 59% of his career passes at 13.8 yards per catch per PFF ($$).
Claypool brings a downfield pass-catching ability that this Green Bay offense desperately needs. The Packers’ inability to hit the deep shot, in part because of Aaron Rodgers’ play but also the receivers not winning often enough, has resulted in opposing defenses daring Green Bay to push the ball downfield.
This results in more defenders around the line of scrimmage, which shrinks the field, and makes it more difficult to move the ball on the ground or via the quick passing game, which are two elements this Packers offense has to have to be successful.
With two years left on his rookie deal, Claypool’s contract is affordable, however, I do wonder if Pittsburgh would have any interest in Amari Rodgers.
Other names on the receiver market who have been tossed out there as potential trade candidates include Nelson Agholor, Denzel Mims, Kenny Golladay, and Kendrick Bourne. DJ Moore from Carolina may be the biggest name available, but as I wrote recently, I don’t believe that’s a move the Packers can pull off financially with nearly $20 million guaranteed in 2023.
It’s not surprising to hear that other general managers believe that the Packers have an interest in adding a wide receiver. For starters, this is an offense that is wildly underperforming, and the receiver position has been a question mark since the team traded away Davante Adams. Also, Brian Gutekunst always says that he wants to be in every discussion, so I wouldn’t be the least bit shocked if he’s already reached out to gauge interest.
With that said, I’m still skeptical that a move actually takes place. Green Bay’s name is always thrown around at the trade deadline, yet nothing ever materializes. I also think it’s fair to question whether trading away draft picks and adding to their salary cap is the best allocation of resources.
The problems that this team is currently going through feel much deeper than just missing one player at the receiver position. That isn’t to say the right addition wouldn’t help, but would it be enough to turn them into a legitimate contender? I doubt it.
This year’s trade deadline is November 1st, and if the Packers are truly going to consider making a move, it likely hinges on how these next few road games play out.