Once again, the Packers approached the NFL trade deadline with expectations that a move would be made to bolster the team’s pass-catching corps. As Tuesday came and went, 2022 marked another season in which the team stood pat. 
The Packers have struggled with injuries and inconsistencies in the pass game this season, making them a logical suitor for a trade acquisition. They were in on former Steeler Chase Claypool, offering a second-round pick for the wideout, a price which ended up ultimately being enough for Pittsburgh to part ways with him. It was the division rival Bears, however, who landed him (with their second-rounder projected to be more valuable), adding a young pass-catcher and denying Green Bay a new asset in the process.
Part of the reason the Packers maintained the status quo at the position, as explained by ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, was their reluctance to add a rental player at the deadline. Claypool has one year remaining on his rookie contract after 2022; likewise, veteran Brandin Cooks would not have been a short-term addition had the Packers (who were listed among the teams interested in acquiring him) been able to pull off a deal.
Demovsky confirms that Claypool was Green Bay’s top target, but adds that tight end was another position at which they considered making a move. Only one trade took place in that regard, with an intra-divisional swap sending T.J. Hockenson from the Lions to the Vikings for a swap of Day 2 picks. The Packers may not have been involved in talks for Hockenson specifically, Demovsky notes, but GM Brian Gutekunst “explored” possible additions to complement or upgrade on starter Robert Tonyan.
In the end, Green Bay will head into the second half of the season with a less-than-healthy skill position group as they look to improve on their 234 passing yards per game (20th in the league). Given their 3-5 record, the team sits in a much different position with respect to their status as NFC contenders compared to the consecutive 13-win campaigns which began the Matt LaFleur era. The same questions remain, though, about their offensive firepower.
Looks to be the beginning of the fall of the Packers Empire!!
That happened the day gute was hired.
See I hated Gute being hired but then immediate success and a successful coaching hire, big free agency moves, and winning a lot of games swayed me.
Now I’m seeing just more of the same and wonder where we’d be if Eliot Wolf got the job instead.
we already midway idk what you mean by the beginning lol
How long does he think he’ll have Rogers? That window is almost closed, which is when good GMs work their magic. This guy’s an empty suit…
It baffles me how many people misspell one of the best players in the game. Kinda makes a person’s opinion moot.
A-Rog!
There are a lot of stupid people out there.
It’s more amazing how many douchenozzle grammar creeps are out there.
*douche-nozzle
Actually, it’s “douche nozzle.” We’re both wrong.
the bottom line is the Packers better sign OBJ
Professional editor (“word nerd”) here. I don’t comment terribly often–and when I do, it isn’t about grammar or spelling–but just wanted to note that Goku is not wrong. “Douche-nozzle” is used as a compound adjective to describe the grammar creeps, so it should be hyphenated.
(Yes, I’m a lot of fun at parties.)
(Well, I would be if I ever got invited to any…)
Also, I completely agree with your OP. The Pack have a first-ballot HOF QB who, as league MVP for the past two seasons, can obviously still play at an elite level. Personally, I think where Gutekunst has really screwed the proverbial pooch is in somehow diminishing the great strength on offense: the o-line.
People focus so much on losing Adams and, to a (rightfully) lesser degree, MVS, but the line rarely gives Rodgers enough time before he’s facing defensive pressure. And that’s even when opponents aren’t blitzing!
Sure, lingering injuries to Bakhtiari–I never spell that right without looking it up, which I’m not doing–and Jenkins are a factor. Can’t dispute that. But we had so much depth in this unit the past couple (several?) seasons. Even just last year! Did we lose a lot of linemen during the off-season?
Anyhow, there are undoubtedly other issues with what the GM has/hasn’t done, but this seems like it’s had the greatest impact…and not in a good way.
Oh, one more quick thought: I’m not basing that off any metrics or actual data. It’s just an observation from watching the games (as painful as that’s been). Maybe there are numbers that prove me wrong here? (I’m a word nerd, not a math geek!)
exactly lol
I looked it up on at least eight different sites (including the Urban dictionary), and it’s listed as douche nozzle, no hyphen.
use your brain, not Google.
Sure, if you use it as a noun. “El Dude is a real douche noozle.” is grammatically correct. You used it to enhance a noun (“creep”) in your post. That makes it an adjective. And compound adjectives like that are hyphenated.
Just trust me on this. I’m sure you have your own areas of expertise that you could teach me a thing or two (or a lot more) about, and that’s cool. So, please, don’t think I’m intending any disrespect or anything here. This is simply my field, man.
Oh, and I don’t claim to know everything about grammar–because I don’t–but I am positive on this.
Okay, enough of that from me. This is a football forum, not a place for me to bore others about grammar rules (which is why I usually am not a douche-noozle grammar creep).
exactly. it wasn’t used as a noun in the context it was presented.
and I’m a steelers fan; so I’m more than happy to discuss this over football right now (lol).
But did you figure out how to spell Rodgers yet?
If you’re going to have an excuse, can it at least be somewhat believable? None of Claypool, Cooks, Jeudy, Toney, or Hockenson would have been rentals.
Furthermore, I understand wanting to strike a balance between the present and future, but you need to do SOMETHING about the current group of receivers, which is plagued by injury-prone veterans (Cobb, Watkins) and inconsistent young players (Watson, Doubs, Rodgers)
In fairness, Toney is injury prone and Claypool & Jeudy are inconsistent young players.
To me, Cooks made a ton of sense. Really surprised they couldn’t make that work.
ya Cooks would’ve been big.
And what is HOU doing hanging on to him??? Not that they should give him away, but retain some salary and get yourself a 2nd or 3rd for him.
There is no latest on their approach. It’s been trash for a long time. Got lucky as hell with Favre and only got one ring with him winning MVP’s all the time. Somehow got lucky again when Rodgers fell in their lap and became even better than Favre. Also winning MVP’s. Yet still, just one ring. The list of QB’s who have 2 is very short. I get that. But particularly with Rodgers, they really should have one or two more. Not bringing in more receiving weapons and the whole Jordan Love thing has been an utter disgrace.
Not only 2 rings but they’ve only been to 2 SBs.
They’ve basically had top 5ish QB play for 30 years and have 2 SB rings and appearances to show for it. While they’ve won a lot of regular season games they should still have had more success. Not to mention they weren’t even in Manning or Brady’s (for most of it) conference. Kind of mind boggling their incompetence.
I think a big issue has been their lack of aggressiveness, whether it be in FA or trades. They rarely go ‘all in’. Rodgers will be gone soon and it appears Love isn’t any good. What a waste Gutekunst is a dunce.
Went to 3 Super Bowls (lost to Denver in 97) but your point is still valid.
Try to at least get your facts straight. Green Bay has appeared in three Super Bowls during the time that Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers have played for Green Bay. They won Super Bowl XXXI against New England with Favre; lost Super Bowl XXXII against Denver; and won Super Bowl XLV against Pittsburgh with Rodgers.
Dude they still blew Rodgers Prime lol
Ironically, it has been the qb play in the NFC Championship games that have kept them out of a number of Super Bowls.
Was it a NFC champ game when fave threw 5 picks? I remember it was a playoff game. Boy, Farve loved his picks.
Their approach was either to sit tight, or if they had a different approach, it failed.
Rodgers will be gone after this disappointing season in which management failed to provide him with an adequate on-field support staff. There have been options and still are options out there, but management just can’t seem to pull the trigger.
The Packer EMPIRE WILL STRIKE BACK.
All knowing management brain wizards know that:
ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE !!
AR hogged up the cap space as well. He’s not 100% innocent in this mess.
Jordy Nelson and Jimmy Graham are waiting by the phone.
The Packers could’ve easily acquired Claypool if they included like a 5th or 6th in 2024 or whatever. Rodgers has a history of taking a bunch of nobody’s and making them someone. So far it hasn’t worked out for him this year and I feel his pain. It’s been awhile since GB has been this bad. They might do just enough the rest of the year to make the playoffs but I don’t see them making it past the WC.
There’s so many teams out of contention or have depth that Packers could have made a move
Patriots Kendrick Bourne Nelson Aghlor
Raiders Hunter Renfrow
Panthers- Moore or Anderson
Rams – Allen Robinson flier
Saints- Michael Thomas flier
Steelers Diontae Johnson
There were options with more experience definitely out there.
And all on good/reasonable contracts. Less maybe M Thomas and D Johnson.
Nelson Agholor? His missteps have become a meme supreme.
D.J. Moore? He cost Carolina a win when he yanked his helmet off in the field of play after scoring the tying TD vs. Atlanta.
Michael Thomas? He can’t stay healthy and now is on season-ending IR.
Nelson Aghlhor decent receiver. Certainly not a #1 but more reliable than what Packers have behind Lazard.
DJ Moore- dynamic explosive albeit inconsistent receiver. Definitely the weapon Rodgers needs. But sure 1 play definitely means he’s bad.
Michael Thomas- sorry flyer not flier. Take a flyer means take a chance. Talent is there. So is risk.
Excellent reporting though man. Hard hitting stuff.
Nelson Agholor got a ring 2 hahhaha the Packers are so bad Eqgles 8-0 with weapons everywhere
There’s a reason why “unlike Agholor” is a meme.
DJ Moore did not cost Carolina a win. If not for his amazing play & catch they would not have had a chance for the kicker to blow 2 straight kicks. The FACTS do matter.
You’re promoting alternative facts. Moore took his helmet off IN THE FIELD OF PLAY after scoring the tying TD. By rule that is unsportsmanlike conduct, 15 yards, which Atlanta had assessed on the PAT attempt. That made the PAT from 48 yards and it was wide left. Atlanta won the game in overtime. I should know — Fox aired that live after the Dallas game ended.
Because of Moore’s on-field brain fade, Atlanta is in first place in the NFC South, not Carolina. THAT is a fact.
Just because you list a bunch of names doesnt make them actually available. Johnson just signed an extension, thats what made Claypool expendable.
Allen Robinson? The guy who literally signed in LA this offseason with a team that is still ahead of Green Bay in the standings, he was available?
Michael Thomas, the guy out since week 3 who finally went on IR?
Everyone’s available for a price. Had Packers offered a 1st 2023 and 2nd 2024 Panthers most likely bite and trade him.
Bourne and Aghlor have seen roles reduced in NE both were probably available. I’d prefer Bourne
Anderson was available and sent to Arizona
Only one who wasn’t available most likely wad Johnson. So 1 out of 8 or 9 guys and packers couldn’t get any of them for Rodgers.
Renfrow was also available Raiders have so many holes to fill and he doesn’t seem to fit McDaniels offense. Adams and Hollins are their #1 and #2. So getting some picks for Renfrow made sense for the Raiders.
I can’t say I care about the trade approach of a team that made no trades.
Approach! LOL
I doubt there was any real aggressiveness to their “approach.” It was the same as its been the last decade. Convince the media they were really going to do something (or just let them believe it like the report first make excuses why it was wrong later mob they are) in order to try and make the fans expect something, then do nothing and use the same excuses why they sat on their hands.
They never tried to convince the media they were going to do anything. It was the other way around. The media and the fans were trying to push them to try anything to put a spark into this team. And as usual, the front office sat on their hands. The whole world can see the team is playing poorly with some truly talented athletes but they are not gelling and have no team identity.
They made a mistake in extending Rodgers at $50M per. Trading him and starting over would have been the better way to go once Adams decided to leave. So here we sit with fewer options.
What a non story. Asinine.
This is a team that misled itself about the level of talent they have across the entire roster. Rodgers and Adams papered over those flaws the last couple of years but now that Adams is gone and Rodgers has mentally checked out it is plain for everyone to see.
All of you should just remember that Rodgers is immunized and let it flow wherever it takes you from there
This is relevant how? Is there still sand in your vag that a grown man had the audacity to think for himself and not just line up and get a shot that has seen been proven to not stop transmission?
Feels like you missed a joke.
You absolutely sure about that? I don’t see anything resembling a joke.
Yeah @cuban363566. I think that was a woooosh on your part…
I feel like most commenters here sound like Rodgers himself. Why is it when the Packers are doing well its 100% Rodgers, but when they fall short it’s the receivers or the o-line or management. WR drops suck, but what about poor targeting or off-line throws or lack of mobility? QB deserves his fair share of blame
It’s also the defense and special teams! LOTS of blame to go around. As someone who attributes a fair amount to the o-line, I’m not saying that Rodgers is perfect or anything. I just think that if we are prioritizing the various problems, his ability to play the quarterback position is much lower on the list.
Of course, it’s a team game and issues in one area can bleed into another. Like, if the line isn’t holding up in pass protection, the WRs might not have time to gain separation or perhaps be where they’re supposed to when the ball is thrown. And that also falls on Rodgers for throwing in times or at places he shouldn’t. But, to me–and my opinion is super valuable to the success of the Green Bay Packers–it looks like the root cause comes back to the line.
I attribute a lot of the regular season success over the past couple of years to the offensive line. That had been a real strength of the team, especially for pass blocking. But when things are going well, there can be LOTS of credit to go around, you know?
So it’s not just Rodgers, either way.
Because, as whiny as he can be, Rodgers does not run the team. It is blatantly obvious that the team has needs. It is blatantly obvious that the GM, whose job it is to address those needs, hasn’t. Lastly, these are needs that the team has had for five years or so, even when Adams was around. The Packers have done nothing about it.
It’s all well and good to blame Rodgers. However, he HAS been the most important part of their success as a player for those years. Adams played a huge role, and so did their running game. But as a GM, your job is to give your team every opportunity to be competitive. If you see a need, address it. Gutekunst has consistently not done so, when he easily could have. Instead, his approach has been to say “play harder”.
For the players, yes, that’s good advice. For a GM, that’s either laziness or incompetence. If I as a GM have a chance to win a Super Bowl by adding a player or two, I do it. The Eagles are 8-0 right now with far less competent QB play than Green Bay or some other teams, and they are there mostly because their GM added pieces at spots where they needed them. Now, of course, you don’t have those opportunities every year, but when you whiff for five years straight like the Packers have, you deserve the blame.