The NFL trade deadline is November 10, and the teams Green Bay is chasing aren’t sitting still.
Seattle has already landed guard Quenton Nelson from Indianapolis. San Francisco pulled in defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. And Chicago, at least as of this morning, has moved to acquire defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons.
That leaves the Packers with a choice point.
What Brian Gutekunst should do and what Brian Gutekunst will do are not necessarily the same thing, and the clock is ticking on both. Green Bay does have clear areas that could use a boost, starting with wide receiver.
With Jayden Reed on IR, the Packers could use another dependable option for Jordan Love. Christian Watson and Matthew Golden bring big-play ability, but a steadier target who can keep drives moving might help an offense that has too often been uneven find a more reliable rhythm.
The other obvious place to look is the interior defensive line. Injuries have thinned that group out, and Green Bay could use someone disruptive there - or, as the source puts it, even “just a big fat guy (complimentary)” - to help a unit that has to stand up against the NFC’s top offenses.
The offensive line is also still on the table. Gutekunst has already added help there, but it remains the team’s biggest weakness, and another move is at least possible.
Of course, the Packers don’t have unlimited ammunition. With limited draft capital, any potential deal has to be weighed against what it costs and what it actually solves.
Still, standing pat comes with its own danger. Chicago is pushing to take control of the division, and other NFC contenders are loading up for the final stretch.
Green Bay doesn’t need to “win” the trade deadline. But if the Packers believe this roster can make a real postseason run, this is the moment to act like it.
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