The Packers have started to find their rhythm, and that’s exactly why the front office has to be careful about getting caught up in the trade chatter.
Green Bay’s offense has looked more complete over the last few weeks, and last week against the Chicago Bears, Jordan Love was pushing the ball down the field with confidence. The Packers already have solid options for Love to work with, but the situation still feels fragile enough that another injury could put them in a bind.
Christian Watson and Matthew Golden give Green Bay a legitimate duo, but the recent injury to Jayden Reed has added some urgency. That has naturally led to speculation about whether the Packers might chase help on the open market or swing a trade before the deadline.
One name tied to Green Bay in the past is Quentin Johnston, and that’s the type of gamble the Packers should avoid.
Johnston, a veteran wideout for the Los Angeles Chargers, entered the league with big expectations, but his career has been a roller coaster. This season, he has only seven catches for 108 yards, a step back from the progress he had shown.
Over the last two years, Johnston has topped 700 yards and eight touchdowns in each season, so the talent is there. The issue is consistency.
And that’s the problem for Green Bay. The Packers don’t need another big-bodied receiver who struggles with drops, even if there’s upside attached. A fresh start might help Johnston finally tap into that potential, but the Packers shouldn’t be the team taking that swing.
The only scenario where Green Bay should even consider it is if the Chargers are willing to sell low. If Johnston could be had for a conditional sixth-round pick or less, then maybe it makes sense. Anything more than that, and the Packers should be looking elsewhere.
In Other News...
Packers Defense Suddenly Looks Thin At The Worst Possible Time
The injury report landed at a tricky time for Green Bay, which is trying to get through Week 6 with its defense already under pressure. Nose tackle Jonathan Ford and cornerback Benjamin St-Juste are among the players ruled out, and receiver Skyy Moore will also miss the game, leaving the Packers to sort through some real depth concerns before facing the Cowboys.
The problems are most pronounced in the secondary, where the Packers can least afford to be stretched thin. Keisean Nixon is expected to play, but Brandon Cisse remains questionable, along with defensive tackle Anthony Campbell and wide receiver Savion Williams, so Green Bay is still waiting on a few key decisions before kickoff. [Read more 🡒]
Packers Face A Sunday Night Test With Plenty To Prove Against Dallas
Sunday night brings a familiar kind of spotlight to Lambeau Field, with the Packers set to host Dallas in a game that ought to say plenty about where this team stands. It is the kind of matchup that invites big-picture questions, and the discussion around it has already turned to how Green Bay can make a statement against a Cowboys team that will demand a clean, physical performance.
The projections for the game lean into that idea, with Green Bays edge rush and ground game viewed as the clearest paths to control. A breakout night from one young pass rusher would go a long way toward changing the feel of the matchup, and the same can be said for a tight end who has already become a steady part of the offense. If the Packers are going to come out on top, they may need both of those elements to show up in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]
Packers Suddenly Have A Tough O-Line Decision To Make
Laken Tomlinson has given the Packers something they did not necessarily expect when the left guard spot opened up: steady play and a cleaner pocket for the offense. Through two starts at the position, he has fit in well enough to help stabilize the line, and Green Bay has noticed the difference as it continues to sort out its best five up front.
Now Aaron Banks is back on the practice field, and the timing creates a real decision for the Packers as they get ready for Sunday night against the Cowboys. Banks had been the starter at left guard before the injury, but with Tomlinson holding his own, offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich called the choice upon Banks' return an interesting one, which is exactly the kind of competition a team wants even if it leaves a difficult call to make. [Read more 🡒]