Hypothetical Trades Packers Must Consider in 2024 NFL Offseason
In 2023, the Green Bay Packers have proven that they are good enough to still be a playoff team. They are right in the thick of the wildcard chase as we head into Week 15.
Jordan Love has also proven that the front office wasn’t misguided in trusting the quarterback. It’s taken longer than anyone expected, but he’s played well enough in the most recent stretch of the season to establish that he should be the quarterback moving forward.
But those who aren’t just interested in making the playoffs, but making a run are going to be curious to see what this team does in the offseason.
So many Packers offseasons have been all about Aaron Rodgers and Jordan Love to some extent. This will be the first offseason in a while that they don’t have questions at quarterback.
One of the most fun things to speculate on is how the Packers could improve their roster through trades. In that spirit, here’s a look at three hypotheticals that that Packers should consider.
Trade EDGE Preston Smith for Draft Picks
Packers Receive: 2024 Third-round Pick
Jaguars Receive: EDGE Preston Smith
The Green Bay Packers released Za’Darius Smith two years ago. He was 29 years old and coming off a major back injury so it made some sense, but they had to watch him sign with the rival Vikings and put up a 10-sack season in 2022.
Now, he’s part of one of the best defensive fronts in football, notching 3.5 sacks for the Browns so far this season.
The Packers essentially had to watch a good player at a premium position walk away for nothing and continue to have some success.
They can prevent that pattern from repeating itself by trading away Preston Smith this offseason. They would save $2.5 million against the cap which could go toward finding another player at the position, but this is more about selling as high as they can on a 31-year-old who is still playing at a reasonably high level.
Smith has been relatively healthy throughout his career, but Father Time comes for everyone. Dealing him before the impact of aging sets in could bring back a useful draft pick.
Trade for EDGE Joey Bosa
Packers Receive: EDGE Joey Bosa
Chargers Receive: 2024 first-round pick
The Packers have been at their most dominant when they’ve had two great pass rushers coming off the edge. Preston Smith, Za’Darius Smith and Rashan Gary formed a terrifying trio for opposing offenses for a few years before Za’Darius was released.
Now, Preston Smith is 31 years old and the team has an out in his contract after this season. Rashan Gary has taken over the role of top pass-rusher on the team and Lukas Van Ness is still a promising prospect. Trading for a veteran with the ability to take over a game would get the Packers back to where they once were.
If the Packers are going to take a big swing in the trade market, it would be worth it to call the Chargers about Bosa. The Chargers are 5-8 this season and big changes could be coming.
After a disappointing season it should be expected that Los Angeles will make some changes. They have four players set to make more than $32 million next season in Keenan Allen, Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack and Mike Williams. Keeping all of them might be too expensive.
On paper, the Packers only have $5.5 million in cap space next season, but they can save an additional $21 million just by releasing David Bakhtiari and another $3 million if they trade away Preston Smith.
That doesn’t even account for the money available through restructures and extensions. If the Chargers and Bosa are looking for a way out, then the Packers might want to consider giving up the draft capital necessary to get the deal done.
