NFL trade deadline 2022: Should Packers buy, sell, or do nothing?
Should the Green Bay Packers buy, sell, or do nothing at the trade deadline?
On Tuesday, the NFL’s trading window comes to an end. Beyond today, the Green Bay Packers won’t be able to add to their roster via trade until the offseason.
Time is running out for contending teams to address areas of need, or for losing teams to add valuable draft picks for players.
Green Bay is a win-now team, so perhaps it should look to buy. But the team also hasn’t been winning all that much, having lost five of its opening eight games.
Should the Packers buy, sell, or do nothing before the deadline? Here’s a case for each scenario.
Why the Packers should buy before the trade deadline
The moment Green Bay decided to give Aaron Rodgers a new deal and not trade him in the offseason, it committed to going all-in for 2022. Even after a 3-5 start, it would be a mistake to just give up trying.
They have come this far in the all-in process, so why not look for a deal or two before the deadline?
A wide receiver like Brandin Cooks or D.J. Moore could help the offense. An offensive lineman? Maybe a pass-catching tight end?
Green Bay’s offense has shown potential. Perhaps adding a piece or two could help this unit become more consistent.
With Rodgers’ championship window nearing an end, why not go all in and make a deal?
Why the Packers should sell before the trade deadline
This is by far the least likely scenario. By selling, Green Bay would be accepting it has no shot at winning the Super Bowl. There’s no way this happens.
However, let’s make a case for why it could make sense.
The Packers have lost four in a row. They were outclassed by the Buffalo Bills in Week 8. This team isn’t one player away from winning a Super Bowl.
What we’ve seen in the opening eight games is that they are nowhere near competing for a championship. They will struggle to make the playoffs at this rate.
Maybe it’s time to accept that this championship run is over and get a head start on the upcoming rebuild.
Perhaps the Packers would consider moving a key starter like Preston Smith or Aaron Jones. Stock up on draft picks, while also helping next year’s salary cap situation.
Why the Packers should do nothing
This seems to be the most likely scenario, and it may be a smart one.
As noted above, the Packers aren’t one player away. Trading for a wide receiver doesn’t magically fix everything. Sure, it could help, but for this team to turn things around, the improvements need to come from within.
Green Bay’s offensive line needs to improve. Aaron Rodgers needs to play better. And the young wide receivers need to keep developing.
Defensively, it’s time to start playing to their potential.
Going from 3-5 to Super Bowl contenders is possible. In 2016, the Packers started 4-6, lost four in a row, then won eight straight to reach the NFC Championship Game. Things can change.
But in 2016, change didn’t come from trade deadline moves. It came from the players already on the roster improving. The same needs to be true this season.