The Green Bay Packers may be staring at a different running back option as the November 10 trade deadline gets closer, and this one comes with a much younger timeline than Jonathan Taylor.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell floated a deal that would send Las Vegas Raiders back Ashton Jeanty to Green Bay, making the case that the rookie is a better fit for the Packers than a pursuit of Taylor. Barnwell pointed to Jeanty’s age, his rookie contract, and the upside that still makes him an attractive target even after an uneven start in Las Vegas.
That idea lines up with how Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst has operated. Barnwell noted that Gutekunst likes building around young players, which is why Jeanty fits the kind of long-term planning Green Bay tends to favor. Because Jeanty is still on his rookie deal, Barnwell argued the Packers could land him at a manageable cost.
“The Raiders selected him sixth overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, but his role has changed under the current coaching staff.”
Barnwell also highlighted Jeanty’s ability as a receiver and suggested a stronger offense could help bring back the burst that made him such a high draft pick in the first place. “Jeanty could be part of a rotation alongside Josh Jacobs before taking over once the Packers decide to move on from their current starter,” Barnwell added.
Jeanty’s numbers show both the promise and the inconsistency. He finished his rookie season with 975 rushing yards and 346 receiving yards.
This season, he has 337 rushing yards and 376 receiving yards. The Raiders have leaned on him more in passing situations, though his rushing success rate has improved.
For Green Bay, the financial angle matters too. Jeanty would give the team more flexibility, since he has three more years of team control after this season through his rookie contract and fifth-year option. That would allow the Packers to use him with Jacobs this year and then sort out their long-term plan for the veteran later.
Taylor, by contrast, brings a tougher cap problem. Green Bay cannot get out from under Jacobs’ salary until the offseason, which makes a move for Taylor harder to pull off right now.
Jeanty’s lower price tag could make him the cleaner option, especially after a rough stretch. But the bigger question is on the Raiders’ side: do they really want to move on from a young back this early in his career?
For Green Bay, the appeal is obvious. Jeanty would bring in a talented runner without the financial bite that comes with Taylor. Whether Las Vegas is willing to listen before November 10 is the part that still has to be answered.
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