Packers Could Rock NFL Trade Deadline With Surprise Move

Green Bay Packers became the first team to make a splash on the free agent market. when they signed Hall of Fame quarterback Reggie White during the league’s first free agency period in 1993. Coincidentally, Green Bay has historically avoided bringing in outside talent.

While some teams excel at signing and trading big-name players, the Packers relied on the NFL Draft and roster development to build their teams. This conservative approach may have arisen out of necessity as geography worked against the Packers. After all, attracting players to a cold, isolated and small town is no easy task.

The Packers aren’t likely to make headlines before the Nov. 5 trade deadline, but that doesn’t mean they’ll be completely idle on the market.

With the league facing a shortage of quality pass rushers this season, teams have called Green Bay to inquire about the availability of cornerback Preston Smith. The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported this on Saturday..

Green Bay made the trade before the trade deadline and into the 2023 season, albeit under vastly different circumstances. After falling to a 2-5 record, the Packers traded cornerback Rasul Douglas and a 2024 fifth-round pick to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for a 2024 third-round pick. It seemed like a wise decision at the time, but the deal didn’t work out in Green Bay’s favor. Douglas had an impressive season for the Bills.

Green Bay is in a much better position to buy than sell this season. The Packers currently hold a 6-2 record and have an opportunity to clinch first place in the NFC North with a win over the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

That doesn’t mean the Packers wouldn’t be willing to trade Smith, who is currently the second-oldest player on the team. The 31-year-old pass rusher has played just 56 percent of the team’s defensive snaps in eight games this season, the fewest of his career since his rookie season in 2015.

Smith has served as the Packers’ outside linebacker since joining the team in 2019, but returned to the defensive side under new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. Given Smith’s decreased usage, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Packers get rid of their fifth highest salary cap in this week’s deal.