There is much to debate about the most-active trade deadline in NFL history, which concluded with a flurry of Tuesday afternoon moves. But for all the transactions that were completed — and all the trade conversations that ultimately went nowhere — one team that did nothing stood out to some league executives.
The sputtering and spiraling Green Bay Packers — despite both overt and behind-the-scenes cries for more receiving help from their future Hall of Fame quarterback — did not make a single move of significance in the weeks leading up to the deadline or at the cutoff itself. They stood pat despite the culture of the league changing to a degree that fostered so many blockbuster deals and despite so many potential pass catchers being dealt (and many more made available). Given the ever-rocky relationship between the Packers’ front office and Aaron Rodgers, expect to hear plenty about it, from the loose-lipped quarterback for starters, particularly if the team’s four-game losing streak portends where this season is headed.
“It’s surprising with so many receivers available,” said a personnel executive with a different team that was active at the deadline. (He spoke on the condition of anonymity because he is not permitted to publicly discuss internal trade conversations or other teams’ transactions.) “I really thought they were going to get [former first-round pick Kadarius] Toney,” who was dealt from the New York Giants to the Kansas City Chiefs last week. “He would have fit what they do,” the executive said. “I thought they would do something to try to get the passing game going.”
Another GM agreed the Packers’ inactivity was a potential pitfall.
“No disrespect and I really like those guys, but there is still some of that old school in them, from when [longtime general manager Ted Thompson] was there,” said the GM, who is under similar restrictions about discussing other teams. “The league is really changing, and if you are trying to win, then you’ve got to be willing to part with picks and be more aggressive. But they also might be looking at it like they just gave their quarterback $50 million [per year] and he isn’t like [Drew] Brees or [Tom] Brady. There wasn’t any discount so they could spread it around to other guys. He wanted every penny, and they might be sending a message back to him now.”
Said another GM: “Must be a f---ed-up place.”
Regardless of any motivations, the reality is that for all of Green Bay’s nosing around on Toney, Chase Claypool (who was traded from the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Chicago Bears), Jerry Jeudy or Brandin Cooks, the Packers are stuck with the same guys Rodgers has been griping about. (Big winner: Pat McAfee, on whose show Rodgers will presumably discuss all of this.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/11/02/nfl-trade-deadline-winners-losers/
Jason La Canfora wrote: