Packers Quietly Backed Off A Move Their Injury Hit Line Needed

The Green Bay Packers ultimately opted out of a strategic trade for experienced Colts defensive tackle Grover Stewart, leaving questions about their defensive line approach.

The Green Bay Packers took a real swing at Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Grover Stewart before the NFL trade deadline, but the deal never got across the finish line.

According to Packer Report’s Easton Butler, Green Bay put an early Day 3 pick on the table for the veteran lineman. The Colts, though, wanted to hold off and wait closer to the deadline, and the Packers eventually backed out.

“The Packers were the team that had the 4th round pick offer for Colts DT Grover Stewart (that @Schultz_Report reported), per sources. Green Bay pulled that offer, after Indy wanted to wait for closer to the deadline,” Packers insider Easton Butler wrote in his post on X (formerly Twitter).

Stewart, who is 33, has built a long NFL résumé. He has played in 150 games and made 118 starts, and the Colts signed him to a three-year, $39 million deal that runs through the end of the 2026 season.

His production shows why Green Bay had interest. Over his career, Stewart has logged 437 total tackles, 47 tackles for loss, 51 quarterback hits, 15 pass breakups, 13.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and one interception.

The Packers’ interest also made sense given the state of their defensive front. Javon Hargrave is done for the season after tearing his Achilles in Week 5. Jonathan Ford has been on injured reserve since mid-October with a calf injury, and Warren Brinson is also on IR with a groin strain.

That left Green Bay with a chance to add an experienced body in the middle, but the team chose not to push further once the Colts wanted to wait. The reason for pulling the offer wasn’t made clear.

Meanwhile, Micah Parsons is trending in the right direction. He has returned to practice and is working back toward a possible return for the November 25 game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium.

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