Packers 2025 offseason

[endaround]

Well it has finally happened. Garrett is requesting a trade. Not sure how you don't try to put together a package for him.

[jay87shot]

14 hours ago, BrewerFan said:

 

We have the cap space(~40M is the number I've seen), but I think that number is misleading, or needs context. I think every NFCN team has more cap space. . We've got a really young team, but with that...obviously you'll need to extend players. Zach Tom is a guy we have to get done. I'd guess 4/100 is the starting point. It's always easier if you can roll that remaining year into it. 5/102 or whatever would be ideal. 40 SB. Get that position locked down.

I think Slaton is going to be more in the 3-years 24M type range. I don't know if he's worth that or not. He's coming off a down year by PFF standards, but a big guy who can play the run...I'd be very surprised to see him get 3.5 over two years.

Godwin is nice, but if you're spending 25M a year, I'd rather go after a guy who compliments this offense more. That's DK Metcalf or another guy with elite speed.

Garrett Wilson would be a great choice as well(I'd love is Rodgers burns that bridge in NY) though I don't know what the cost would be. Should probably be a 1st, but then you're also going to have to pay him. He's the most talented potential addition...IMO.

 

In the draft, Mbow, the OT from Purdue or Zabel(voted best player at the Sr Bowl) are two guys I think could come in and start at center right away. Both are definitely Packers type players given their versatility. If you don't find a CB in Rd1 who you like, I'd move back 10-15 spots in this draft. 

 

I'd hold onto Jaire for another year. I don't think it's smart to try and rebuild that whole CB group. I have no doubt if we could do it over again, we'd have made a move for Mitchell last year when he got past #20. Philly was able to add two rookies who slid right in at CB, but they also had Darius Slay and then a front that was dominant.

 

I'd prioritize the draft as follows

DT, OL(I don't care which positions, but you need a better center than we have and I would expect Morgan to be much better in Yr2) and obviously CB.

I'm all for Morrison in the 1st if he grades out well enough. Someone like Kenneth Grant could be a great addition.

BUT, if there were a trade, for instance, Chicago wanted to move up, I'd gladly trade #23 for #42+#44. Pick up one of those OL and and a guy like Deone Walker. He's a freak who also dominated the Sr. Bowl, he plays hard and has rare physical traits. He won't test like Jordan Davis, but he may have better get off and short area quickness.

If Slaton is 3/24 that is a pass, big run stuffing NT are easy enough to find later in the draft. I really don't like DK Metcalf for our needs, I feel like we need an Davante (from 3/4 years ago) style guy who when it is 3rd and 7 we know well get open and keep the drive going. For me, Godwin is the best guy for that because of his hands. Metcalf isn't much different than Christian Watson in my opinion just no health concerns. 

Good point on some of the extensions that could be needed like Tom. I do think we will follow last year's lead and sign 2 proven players at the higher end of there position and then use the draft to fill in depth. I really haven't done as much draft research as normal but I do think the center position is weak and I do like the CB depth at first glance. Looking at that I would maybe look at signing a OL and drafting at CB. 

What are thoughts about Quat Walker? He clearly isn't worth the 16 million option but I don't think I would give up on him unless contract extension demands are way to high. He was decent last year but really hasn't made enough big plays to say we should give him more time. With 6-7 really good linebackers as free agents I would be tempted to let Quay go and add a vet cheaper who has had more success. Lavonte David or Bobby Wagner would be great mentors for Cooper and Hopper, where Sherwood, Baun, Bolton, Jones, or Greenlaw could all be big time improvements and are young enough to warrant a longer term big money deal.

[CheezWizHed]

59 minutes ago, jay87shot said:

What are thoughts about Quat Walker? He clearly isn't worth the 16 million option but I don't think I would give up on him unless contract extension demands are way to high. He was decent last year but really hasn't made enough big plays to say we should give him more time. With 6-7 really good linebackers as free agents I would be tempted to let Quay go and add a vet cheaper who has had more success. Lavonte David or Bobby Wagner would be great mentors for Cooper and Hopper, where Sherwood, Baun, Bolton, Jones, or Greenlaw could all be big time improvements and are young enough to warrant a longer term big money deal.

The $16M option is for 2026-27.  He is in the 4th year of his rookie contract this year and making $2.5M ($4.4 salary cap hit).  

 

1 hour ago, endaround said:

Well it has finally happened. Garrett is requesting a trade. Not sure how you don't try to put together a package for him.

Yes, I saw this and thought "target acquired".  

Our number one issue is our pass rush.  I looked at the FAs and this is a poor year.  Perhaps a cheap deal for Mack might help the other guys move the needle, but not much here for a big FA deal.  Maybe the team has their eyes on a younger guy that hasn't broken out yet (i.e. like we did for Z and P Smiths)?  But I don't want to see another 1st round pick used on DL.  I don't trust our evaluation team in this one area.

Trading for someone like Garrett or Crosby (another good player/terrible team combo) might be the best way to go.

Big bang in FA might be easiest at the WR position.  Higgins would look AWFULLY good in G&G this year. Frankly, even Davante on a short deal might be a benefit.

Then your draft capitol can go to OL and CB.

If you hit a trade for a DL, FA WR, and draft CB and a starting G/C, I think you have a successful offseason.

[Sixtolezcano]

Zach Tom for 4/100 is a ridiculous overpay considering he plays RT and underperformed last season. That would put him just behind Wirfs and Sewell at #3 and ahead of Lane Johnson. There is no way he performs near that level. I wouldn’t go over 16M/year.

Slaton is at best a middle of the road NT/DT and replacing him with a middle round draft pick are always an available option.

The defensive positions that need to be focused on are pass rusher and a couple of CBs with great options for both in the draft and free agency this off-season.

Metcalf might be the best option at WR with Higgins and Godwin  overpriced. I seriously doubt that the Jets are ready to give up on Wilson without requesting a huge payday in return.

[BrewerFan]

11 hours ago, jay87shot said:

(IIf Slaton is 3/24 that is a pass, big run stuffing NT are easy enough to find later in the draft. I really don't like DK Metcalf for our needs, I feel like we need an Davante (from 3/4 years ago) style guy who when it is 3rd and 7 we know well get open and keep the drive going. For me, Godwin is the best guy for that because of his hands. Metcalf isn't much different than Christian Watson in my opinion just no health concerns. 

Good point on some of the extensions that could be needed like Tom. I do think we will follow last year's lead and sign 2 proven players at the higher end of there position and then use the draft to fill in depth. I really haven't done as much draft research as normal but I do think the center position is weak and I do like the CB depth at first glance. Looking at that I would maybe look at signing a OL and drafting at CB. 

What are thoughts about Quat Walker? He clearly isn't worth the 16 million option but I don't think I would give up on him unless contract extension demands are way to high. He was decent last year but really hasn't made enough big plays to say we should give him more time. With 6-7 really good linebackers as free agents I would be tempted to let Quay go and add a vet cheaper who has had more success. Lavonte David or Bobby Wagner would be great mentors for Cooper and Hopper, where Sherwood, Baun, Bolton, Jones, or Greenlaw could all be big time improvements and are young enough to warrant a longer term big money deal.

-I think having a big play guy opens up the field and makes things a LOT easier. Wicks is that Davante Adams-type guy. He struggled badly with drops last year. His last 4 years and these are rough numbers from week 12 or something, but in his junior year in College, his drop rate was like 4.8%, his senior year, it was 27%, Rookie year, 4%, 2nd year, 28%. But I think he's going to be the guy who keeps the sticks moving. Metcalf, or taking the top off, IS like Watson, and our offense is much-much better with Watson on the field, even when he's not making big plays. The coverage change. You have to play a safety over the top of him. You have Wicks, Doubs, Jayden Reed, AND then you have Kraft, completely believe in Musgraves ability to create mismatches.

 

-Walker? He's not worth anywhere near 16M. If you can get him and Cooper on the field, I think they could do a lot of fun things, but no. He's had some flashes, and I think he's an easier target, but there should be zero hesitation in turning down that 5th-year option. If he plays well...I still can't see him earning that option. Wyatt, 5th-year option. If he plays well...I still can't see him earning that option. Wyatt, on the other hand, I think he'll be worth it, but it's a little tougher as he really hasn't broken out yet. Started last year strong, got hurt, and then was sporadic down the stretch. I don't think you need to go and sign a Baun or Wagner. Bring back McDuffie or Wilson for another year. I remain very skeptical about Hopper. Didn't like him as a 3rd rd pick, but hopefully, he'll be surprised this year. Our LBs get much better with the DL,

I think people are overlooking what Slaton brings to the defense, though. I don't think they're as easy to replace as you're suggesting. He's the only guy who was consistently holding off double teams and not being moved at the point. 3/24 really isn't much for what'll likely be another pretty solid cap increase. I think 280-285 is fairly likely(Which would put us closer to 60M).

 

-Center

I think this is going to be a really good draft for Centers, they're just not guys who played Center last year. Mbow from Purdue and Grey Zabel, NDSU are both guys who I think will be really good centers. Conerly Jr could play Center, though...he could also play OT or OG. all three would be great 2nd rd picks IMO.

 

The big moves...I just wouldn't move Jaire. I'd target CB early, but I'd ride with him one more year. He really isn't that expensive given what he provides...when he's on the field.

Other than that, if they move on from Jaire, DJ Reed obviously. Asante Samuel Jr would be the high-upside signingsigning. He's the most talented. Adebo was a good one. Ernest Jones or Shermwood from the Jets at MLB. Both are good vs the run.

DT-Onwuzurike...I guess and BJ Hill could be short-term reinforcements.

OL-Drew Dalman from ATL would be the #1 target just for the Packers. Get Center squared away. That of course assumes we go back to more of a mix of a ZBS and a Gap running team next year. I think as good as Josh Jacobs was the changes we made in our offense hurt Love. All the PA we ran off the outside zone. We still have Lloyd coming back next year after a lost rookie year.

Teven Jenkins-I think he'd be a nice fit. Can play OT and OG. Plus it'd be nice to take a player from another NFCN team.

 

There's not much in free agency though. I'd be just as happy mostly holding pat and "only" adding Calais Campbell or someone like that. I don't get why he signs so cheap when he's such a reliably good player.

 

The over-the-top unlikely, but most impactful move would be the same two-edge rushers talked about last year, Maxx Crosby or Myles Garrett. I'm taking Crosby due to age, but Garrett would probably be the 2nd biggest off-season move in Packer history behind Reggie. Problem is, If I was the Browns or the Raiders, I'd want a 1st at least and then I'd start by asking for a 2nd 1st and probably settle on a couple picks. A 1st, 3rd, maybe a '26 4th.

You'd have to really think you were ready to win. Either way, I'm still looking for talent on the OL/DL. Rasheed Walker is just...competent, but not good. Sean Rhyan is a well below-average guard. Myers was a bad center.

DL-I don't know how exactly to fix it... I'm really hopeful Covington will as we've just got too many resources invested and the OLs in the division are too good.

Detroit-Among the best in the league.
Minn has two really good OT
Chicago has Wright and I imagine they'll add a guy like Campbell. We're just not good enough on either side and we seldom get a top 10 pick to get a real blue chip, immediate-impact talent.

 

The Eagles or the 49ers from the past few years, that should continue to be what the Packers strive for....obviously. Easier said than done.

,

[GAME05]

Nice to dream about Myles Garrett but it'd be a bad move. Already got a DL which more underperformed than it was not good, a new DL coach and a recent 1st in VanNess who is probably still a season away from being called a bust. Plus you'll have to pay Crosby or Garrett $30M when we have a bigger need for a WR and/or CB or LT.

[nate82]

Be ready to pay a high price for Garrett.  Multiple first round picks plus more at a minimum.  I would think it would cost 2025 1st, 2026 1st, 2025 2nd and a couple of 3-5 round picks.  Nearly every team in the league that can add Garrett’s salary will be trying to trade for him.  Unless you are willing to give up Love and a first round pick for him I don’t see the Packers winning a bidding war for him.

[CheezWizHed]

I'm not going to try and speculate on the cost, but you pick the price you can pay and see what you can do.

Maybe a swap with picks and Jaire might help?  But you at least have to try (especially in the wake of the Luca trade 😏).

[CheezWizHed]

Here is an article where the author used a Browns writer to "agree" to the trade (still all speculation of course, but at least trying to balance it: What a Myles Garrett trade could look like for the Packers - Acme Packing Company

Came down to:

• 2025 2nd round pick
• 2026 1st round pick
• Christian Watson
• Shawn Lloyd 
• Malik Willis

I'd do that in a heartbeat. 

[jay87shot]

Yeah Garret is going to cost at least 2 1st and a couple more picks or players as well. I would guess there are 28 other teams with fans like us hoping to get him for less. 

 

[HarryDoyle]

Given that our last three first round picks were Morgan, Van Ness, and Walker, would giving up three firsts really be that big a deal? I would only offer two at the most, but since Gute makes his hay in the later rounds, I wouldn't be too upset about three. I don't really understand why some are so afraid of the price tag. It seems some would rather spend the money on keeping guys like Tom. It's time to make a splash and go all in, and if Gute is really serious about urgency, then he should put out a serious offer. I wonder how many people here were against Ron Wolf bringing in Reggie White because it would cost too much. You can't stay the youngest team in the NFL forever. Otherwise we can look forward to never seeing a deep playoff run.

[HarryDoyle]

Mason Crosby officially retires from the NFL. Thanks for 16 great years. (Well, 15 anyway) But it sure was great to have that kind of stability at the kicker position. Here's hoping we can have McManus for another few years.

[LouisEly]

7 hours ago, CheezWizHed said:

Here is an article where the author used a Browns writer to "agree" to the trade (still all speculation of course, but at least trying to balance it: What a Myles Garrett trade could look like for the Packers - Acme Packing Company

Came down to:

• 2025 2nd round pick
• 2026 1st round pick
• Christian Watson
• Shawn Lloyd 
• Malik Willis

I'd do that in a heartbeat. 

Never, ever, ever, ever give up a future 1st unless it you can top-10 protect it.  Ever.

All it takes is a rash of injuries to your star players and a little bit of bad luck on the field and you're handing over a top-5 pick.

[LouisEly]

6 hours ago, jay87shot said:

Yeah Garret is going to cost at least 2 1st and a couple more picks or players as well. I would guess there are 28 other teams with fans like us hoping to get him for less. 

 

Except that it is very unlikely that the Browns will be able to trade him, much less want to trade him.

OTC already has the Browns at -$38M effective cap space.  Looking at their contracts, almost all of the big ones have negative dead cap if they trade or cut them.  They are going to have to do some serious cap gymnastics just to get under the cap by mid-March, much less absorb another -$16.5M in dead cap by trading Garrett.

That being said, they do have one guy who can provide them some cap relief - CB Greg Newsome II.  One year left, guaranteed $13M salary, no dead cap, and the Packers need CB.  Since he only has one year left on his contract he should be able to be had for a 3rd at most, and they should be able to recoup that with at worst a 4th round comp pick if he leaves after the season.

[GAME05]

I laugh at my Cowboys co-worker for having a good few top-salary guys and only enough money left for scrubs. So wouldn't Garrett be the same thing? A great DL with a suspect CB, LT, OL depth and WR group?

Considering the Packers were something like 4.5 points per game better with Watson in the lineup, wouldn't we be so much better with a reliable WR? And can't you put some stock in getting more adjusted to the 4-3, VanNess not being a bust and a new DL coach getting things back to normal? It's not like we're a missing-piece D-line, just an under-performing one.

Plus Garrett is one year away from getting PAID, and it's hard to say we're just one D-lineman away from a SB.

Granted, Malik Willis to the Browns makes a lot of sense. They can't pay Sam Darnold the $42M he'll get and Shedur Sanders is a huge reach at #2 overall. Getting what we can for him would probably cover a lot of our ills.

I'd rather have their #2 overall to draft that Penn State DL than Myles Garrett. Obviously Garrett is the best in the business but you better have $30M for him next year.

[BrewerFan]

19 hours ago, GAME05 said:

Nice to dream about Myles Garrett but it'd be a bad move. Already got a DL which more underperformed than it was not good, a new DL coach and a recent 1st in VanNess who is probably still a season away from being called a bust. Plus you'll have to pay Crosby or Garrett $30M when we have a bigger need for a WR and/or CB or LT.

I don't think WR or even CB for that matter is a bigger need.

The impact Croby or Garrett could have...if Van Ness breaks out or if Gary plays like he has in the past, those aren't reasons to not trade for him, they're just more reasons TO trade for him. A front that would be THAT overwhelmingly dominant? You have to.

Crosby would be my first choice...and I don't think you have to pay him 30M a year, but he's younger(2 years younger than Garrett) and...yeah, I'd happily throw him 30M.

These two additions wouldn't be Reggie White like...but they wouldn't be far off. Two APs at arguably the 2nd most important position?

The only player I'd prefer in the NFL right now over these two would be Dexter Lawrence and the NYG aren't dumb enough to trade him.

Just hypothetically, lets say LVN breaks out and he's what Gary has been the last 2-3 years when healthy.
On that same note, Gary also bounces back. How do you block that DL? You have Wyatt/Clark(who also struggled) in the middle.

 

Remember when the Buccs just overwhelmed teams with their pass rush and beat the brakes off Mahomes? That's the type of front you'd have. You don't NEED elite cover corners if you've got that type of front. I mean, you obviously still want them and try and acquire them, but it makes the game so much easier for the rest of the defense. There are few players worth multiple 1sts. Those two. Dexter Lawrence... those are players you hand out 2 1sts for and you pay them(though both still have 2 and 3 years on their deals, so a new contract wouldn't be as burdensome).

[JosephC]

14 hours ago, LouisEly said:

Except that it is very unlikely that the Browns will be able to trade him, much less want to trade him.

OTC already has the Browns at -$38M effective cap space.  Looking at their contracts, almost all of the big ones have negative dead cap if they trade or cut them.  They are going to have to do some serious cap gymnastics just to get under the cap by mid-March, much less absorb another -$16.5M in dead cap by trading Garrett.

That being said, they do have one guy who can provide them some cap relief - CB Greg Newsome II.  One year left, guaranteed $13M salary, no dead cap, and the Packers need CB.  Since he only has one year left on his contract he should be able to be had for a 3rd at most, and they should be able to recoup that with at worst a 4th round comp pick if he leaves after the season.

The details of the Deshawn Watson re-worked contract have not been made public yet, so that is not currently included in the overthecap numbers.  They still have Watson carrying 72.935 million dollar cap number.  A Browns blog had a article from some cap guru that speculated the new cap number after the re-work would probably be around 37 million, if accurate, that would subtract 35.9 million from the deficit.  So it's possible they are under the cap now...but would be about 3 million over after adding in the upcoming rookie pool dollars.

The Browns are looking at a lost season in 2025 and already have 12 picks in the upcoming draft.  For once I think they do the smart thing, don't take a vastly over-rated QB at #2 and instead trade down (some dumb team should give them an offer they cannot refuse to get either Ward or Sanders, who seem to have separated themselves from the rest of the QB class) and get a better player and add even more picks to the 12 they already have.  I don't see why the Browns should have any real motivation to have to make a Garrett deal before the draft.  I already saw one article this morning that suggested that a Garrett trade might not happen until the summer, and according to overthecap a post-June 1 trade actually saves the Browns nearly 5 million in cap space, more motivation for the Browns to wait.  

Personally I would not mind giving up a couple first round picks for Garrett, however, I don't think you do so unless you are willing to go with a contract extension right away.  I don't think you give up a couple first round pick and probably a couple more later round picks for a 2-year player.  So if you make the deal, you have to plan on at least a 180+ million dollar extension that will probably have 3 or 4 years with a 40+ million dollar cap hit and 1 or 2 years with a 50+ million dollar cap hit.  I'm looking at the Nick Bosa deal, 42+ million dollar cap number in 2026, 52+ million dollar cap number in 2027, 42+ million dollar cap number in 2028.  At minimum, you would have to expect to give Garrett that type of deal.

[LouisEly]

On 2/5/2025 at 10:07 AM, JosephC said:

The details of the Deshawn Watson re-worked contract have not been made public yet, so that is not currently included in the overthecap numbers.  They still have Watson carrying 72.935 million dollar cap number. 

ESPN has it as adding two void years to the end of the contract, going from two void years to four void years.  The second void year has a cap hit of $9M, so assuming the two additional void years are similar that creates $18M in cap space. 

Watson restructured his contract before last season that created $40M+ in carryover cap to this season.  Spotrac and OTC both account for that carryover in their calculations of the Browns being over the cap.  OTC has the Browns with $353M in cap liabilities with a top 51 of $304M and $40M of carryover dead cap.  Spotrac has $275M in league cap plus $42M in cap rollover (from Watson's restructure before the season) for an adjusted cap of $317M with an active roster of $311M and $40M in dead cap.  Their top 51 is $344M for a net of -27.5M before accounting for draft picks.

Assuming the two void years create $18M in cap space, they're almost $10M over, not accounting for draft picks.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

On 2/4/2025 at 1:25 PM, jay87shot said:

Yeah Garret is going to cost at least 2 1st and a couple more picks or players as well. I would guess there are 28 other teams with fans like us hoping to get him for less. 

 

Not a chance anyone trades two first round picks for a 30-year-old DL. This isn't the NBA. NFL draft picks are very highly valued. 

[JosephC]

1 hour ago, LouisEly said:

ESPN has it as adding two void years to the end of the contract, going from two void years to four void years.  The second void year has a cap hit of $9M, so assuming the two additional void years are similar that creates $18M in cap space. 

 

Here is a link to one of the articles that estimates Watson's 2025 cap number dropping to about 37 million.  This also had void years running to 2030.  I'm not a cap expert, but I saw another article that had similar figures, but different enough where I don't think one was just copying from the other.  We'll see what OTC has when they get the numbers updated.  I'd trust them over anyone as I've found them pretty accurate over the years.

https://brownswire.usatoday.com/2024/12/28/browns-deshaun-watson-restructure-details/

[JosephC]

12 minutes ago, OldSchoolSnapper said:

Not a chance anyone trades two first round picks for a 30-year-old DL. This isn't the NBA. NFL draft picks are very highly valued. 

Only the lord knows why with the way most of these teams draft.  I have to assume that Gutekunst is better than most, considering the Packers record in 2024 was well above the league average.

Also, I'm not saying Pro Football Reference's AV value is the definitive measure of value, as I am skeptical as to some of those numbers myself (especially when comparing position to position).  But considering-

Eric Stokes AV in 2024 = 3

Quay Walker AV in 2024 = 6

Lukas Van Ness AV in 2024 = 2

Jordan Morgan AV in 2024 = 1

Myles Garrett AV in 2024 = 17

And ignoring those numbers....if you ask a 100 Packer fans what they would have....4 years of Stokes + 4 years of Walker + 4 years of Van Ness + 4 years of Morgan....OR....4 years of Myles Garrett....I think probably 98 out of 100 take Garrett...with the 2 "other" votes being 2 draftniks who were all hot to get Jordan Morgan and still believe he will be the second coming of Anthony Munoz (in other words, a minimum of 2% of any fanbase is going to have a screw loose, and the Packer fanbase is no exception).

[HarryDoyle]

Sterling Sharpe finally will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame!

[OldSchoolSnapper]

8 hours ago, JosephC said:

Only the lord knows why with the way most of these teams draft.  I have to assume that Gutekunst is better than most, considering the Packers record in 2024 was well above the league average.

Also, I'm not saying Pro Football Reference's AV value is the definitive measure of value, as I am skeptical as to some of those numbers myself (especially when comparing position to position).  But considering-

Eric Stokes AV in 2024 = 3

Quay Walker AV in 2024 = 6

Lukas Van Ness AV in 2024 = 2

Jordan Morgan AV in 2024 = 1

Myles Garrett AV in 2024 = 17

And ignoring those numbers....if you ask a 100 Packer fans what they would have....4 years of Stokes + 4 years of Walker + 4 years of Van Ness + 4 years of Morgan....OR....4 years of Myles Garrett....I think probably 98 out of 100 take Garrett...with the 2 "other" votes being 2 draftniks who were all hot to get Jordan Morgan and still believe he will be the second coming of Anthony Munoz (in other words, a minimum of 2% of any fanbase is going to have a screw loose, and the Packer fanbase is no exception).

I don't disagree. They are way overvalued. The number of times an immediate impact player gets traded for a 3rd round pick makes no sense to me. 

[BrewerFan]

On 2/6/2025 at 9:43 PM, JosephC said:

And ignoring those numbers....if you ask a 100 Packer fans what they would have....4 years of Stokes + 4 years of Walker + 4 years of Van Ness + 4 years of Morgan....OR....4 years of Myles Garrett....I think probably 98 out of 100 take Garrett...with the 2 "other" votes being 2 draftniks who were all hot to get Jordan Morgan and still believe he will be the second coming of Anthony Munoz (in other words, a minimum of 2% of any fanbase is going to have a screw loose, and the Packer fanbase is no exception).

Everyone keeps forgetting about Wyatt!

The last time there was a player of this caliber and the Packers were interested, it was Mack. The Raiders reportedly took the Bears offer because they thought the picks would be better, but when you add a DPOY caliber player, you tend to get better. The next two first we had were Rashan Gary and then we had the Saints 1st that year IIRC and picked Savage and the following year it was Jordan Love. You still make that deal. If the Packers are that convinced that Jordan Love would be a good starting QB, they could have moved up to get him.

Garrett isn't 30. He just turned 29, but just as important, he's been extremely durable. Reggie was 32 when we signed him. This Packers defense is more talented that the Packers defense in the 90s without both Reggie and Garrett.

There are only a handful of players I've give up two 1sts for. Wirfs or Sewell Maxx Crosby, guys like that, but Garrett has to be one of them. Just the deal the Bears did for Mack. It was something like the Bears got Mack a 2nd a 6th and they gave up 2 1sts, a 3rd and a 7th. I might have the late-round picks mixed up, but what are you waiting for?

Being the youngest team in the league for a 3rd year? Sooner or later you start paying those young players or losing them. Probably a good idea to see if you can win now. You'll still have 7 picks to fill out the roster, you can also trade up or add picks.

 

Trade for Garrett, hope Covington can get the rest of the DL to play with less pressure on them.

Add Garrett with Edge Cooper, Evan Williams, this could easily be the top defense in the league next year. 

[BrewerFan]

On 2/4/2025 at 9:01 PM, GAME05 said:

Considering the Packers were something like 4.5 points per game better with Watson in the lineup, wouldn't we be so much better with a reliable WR? And can't you put some stock in getting more adjusted to the 4-3, VanNess not being a bust and a new DL coach getting things back to normal? It's not like we're a missing-piece D-line, just an under-performing one.

I think we could be a missing DL piece away. Putting the QB under pressure constantly? And they're going to double Garrett constantly. Now instead of Gary being one of the most doubled Edge rushers, he's getting 1 on 1s.

And sure, I like LVN also. He's not talented like Garrett. Garrett is a HOF type talent. I think LVN COULD be a really good player. He's stiff, he doesn't bend well, but he could be a Preston Smith type player with more effort. He's not physically capable of beating guys and getting that clean rush and changing a possession like Garrett.

Gary is...something has just been missing with him. He was playing at an elite level when he went down with that ACL.

As for being 4.5 points better...we beat the Saints and 49ers 34-0 and 38-10 with Watson not catching a ball.

He definitely changes the game when he's out there. He makes you respect the big play, but I think that stat may be a bit skewed. What's not skewed is 102.5 sacks in 8 years. That is Myles Garrett. He's a near lock to give you ~15 sacks and he plays the run.

 

And to make one more connection to the Mack trade, I really believe our biggest...rivals in trading for him will be the Lions and Eagles. Both are so young, so talented and in good cap shape. The Eagles have less space, but guys like Slay come off, they've got about 40M in dead money net year.

So you'd be keeping him away from other contenders(I'm sure there'd be AFC teams who'd want him). That's an ancillary benefit.

 

On 2/4/2025 at 7:54 PM, LouisEly said:

Never, ever, ever, ever give up a future 1st unless it you can top-10 protect it.  Ever.

All it takes is a rash of injuries to your star players and a little bit of bad luck on the field and you're handing over a top-5 pick.

Can you remember a time when an NFL team traded a 1st rd pick and they protected a 1st? I don't believe you can and that's half the reason you trade for future 1sts.

There have been probably half a dozen trades in the last 10 years that have resulted in a team acquiring a top 10 pick the following year. I don't recall ever seeing a pick protected for the top 10 in the NFL.

The closest I've seen have been conditional, but that's exclusively due to the Players performance, not the team's pick.