Packers trade rumors: Tried to trade for wide receivers and tight ends
Close, but no cigar. That seems to be the constant them from the Green Bay Packers‘ trade deadline.
While the rest of the NFC North made moves to either immediately improve their team or increase their long-term chances, the Packers stood pat as they always have. At 3-5, the Super Bowl aspirations that circled the franchise just one month ago have vanished. In its stead is a hope this team can turn things around enough to squeeze into the playoffs.
That’s quite the turnaround in less than 30 days, but such is life when you lose four straight games. Green Bay had an opportunity to improve its short-term chances at the trade deadline. Unfortunately, general manager Brian Gutekunst failed to pull the trigger on any potential deal.
According to multiple reports, the Green Bay Packers had multiple wide receivers and tight ends in their sights as trade targets.
ESPN’s Rob Demovsky reported the Packers had several conversations about acquiring wide receivers or tight ends. He shared Chase Claypool was their top target. Tom Silverstein corroborated that report, by sharing his sources told him Green Bay offered the Pittsburgh Steelers a second-round pick. Ultimately, Pittsburgh went with the Chicago Bear’s offer, as they felt Chicago’s second-rounder will be higher than the Packers.
Brandin Cooks was another fan-favorite trade target and likely the most impactful receiver on the market. However, Green Bay wasn’t able to advance in talks with the Houston Texans about Cooks due to the $18 million he’s guaranteed next season according to Demovsky.
Demovsky also reported the Packers were interested in adding a tight end and believed that would be more impactful than adding a wide receiver. T.J. Hockenson was traded to the Minnesota Vikings, but he wasn’t sure if Green Bay was interested in his services.
Overall, they sought someone to help the team beyond this season. They didn’t want to trade for a guy in the final year of his contract.
Next. Packers notebook: Trade deadline, roster moves, defense, more. dark
The only tool remaining for the Packers is to add a player via waivers or free agency. It’s slim pickings at this time of the year with the biggest impact player being Odell Beckham Jr. OBJ is still recovering from his knee injury, but we’ll see if the Packers can finally pull the trigger once he’s healthy enough to return.