The Packers’ offseason has plenty of moving parts, but one decision already stands out as the one they may end up kicking themselves over: trading Dontayvion Wicks.
Green Bay had already gone from carrying too many wideouts to looking a little thin at the position. Letting Romeo Doubs walk in free agency made sense because he was due for a payday. Moving Wicks, though, is a different story.
The Packers sent Wicks to the Philadelphia Eagles and got back a 2026 fifth-round pick, a 2027 sixth-round pick and $2.6 million in salary cap savings. The Eagles also reunite him with former quarterback coach Sean Mannion, who is now their new offensive coordinator.
On paper, draft picks and cap relief for a player outside the long-term plan can look like smart business. But Wicks seemed far more valuable as an actual piece of the offense than as trade currency, and that’s why this move feels like it could come back on Green Bay.
The Packers did lock up Christian Watson and Jayden Reed with contract extensions this offseason, which fits the plan. The problem is that Watson has been hurt as often as he’s been available, and Reed also missed time last season. That leaves a lot riding on projections.
They’re counting on Matthew Golden to make a big jump in year two after what was described as a disappointing rookie season. Savion Williams has flashed at times, and that may be enough for Matt LaFleur to feel good about the room. But it still comes with plenty of uncertainty.
Wicks brought something more concrete. His big-play ability fits, and he’s been effective on hitch routes while also showing a strong knack for creating separation. In Philadelphia, he should benefit from the Eagles’ elite running game and find openings in the secondary with his speed.
He won’t be asked to replace A.J. Brown, but the fact that he was one of the players brought in to help potentially cover some of that load says plenty about how the Eagles view him. And with Howie Roseman running the show, that’s not a small detail.
For Green Bay, the issue is simple: they’re leaning on a lot of hopes. They hope Golden takes the next step.
They hope Watson stays healthy. They hope Tucker Kraft keeps building on what he was doing.
Wicks was the opposite of a hope. He was a known commodity, and when he was on the field, he forced missed tackles, piled up yards after the catch and kept drives moving. He didn’t get a fair shot, but he kept producing.
The Packers haven’t been especially active this offseason, so there aren’t many moves to sort through. Still, among everything they did and didn’t do, shipping out Wicks for modest draft capital and a little cap space looks like the biggest mistake on the board.
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