Packers add much-needed linebacker depth, trade for BJ Goodson

The Green Bay Packers needed to add depth at linebacker ahead of Week 1, and that’s exactly what they’ve done.

With Oren Burks still out due to injury, the Packers have made a move for depth at linebacker.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, the Packers have traded for New York Giants linebacker BJ Goodson.

It always felt likely GM Brian Gutekunst would add a linebacker prior to the season opener. Burks remains out after suffering an injury in the preseason opener, and Curtis Bolton also went down with a knee injury in August.

Outside of starter Blake Martinez, the only healthy inside linebackers on the 53-man roster were Ty Summers and James Crawford. Summers impressed during the preseason and led the league in tackles, but he also missed way too many tackles.

With Goodson, the Packers are getting a player who started in 13 games for the Giants last season. He made 61 tackles and also two interceptions.

This is a good move by Gutekunst. Goodson is a player who can come in and play immediately in this defense, and he can be a solid starter at linebacker until Burks returns from injury. The move gives defensive coordinator Mike Pettine more depth to work with.

Andy Herman of Cheesehead TV noted that Goodson can also contribute on special teams, having played almost 40 percent of the Giants’ special teams snaps last year.

It hasn’t been announced which player Goodson will replace on the 53-man roster, or what the Packers had to give up in the trade. But as Rapoport reported, the Giants were planning to waive him, so it’s unlikely the Packers had to send much in return. A late-round draft pick would make sense.

Green Bay needed to get additional help at linebacker this week, and that’s exactly what Gutekunst has done by bringing in Goodson.