Sometimes, the best move is the one you don't make. Or, in this case, the moves your rivals don't make.
The Green Bay Packers left the trade deadline empty-handed, but beyond a handful of realistic targets, this never felt like a must-buy situation. While they needed help at cornerback, no perfect candidates lined up.
Some were too expensive, like Denzel Ward. Not only did the Cleveland Browns show no intention of selling, but it would've taken a monumental offer. Others, like Riq Woolen, have struggled this season, even on a dominant team. Alontae Taylor's name came up, but he is primarily a slot corner, which the Packers don't need, and it would've likely cost a premium pick for the New Orleans Saints to consider it.
Green Bay can still upgrade at cornerback — the team has reported interest in free agent Asante Samuel Jr. That's something to watch.
The Packers already made their big-time move by trading for Micah Parsons in August, but the same can't be said of their division rivals.
Packers happily stand pat while NFC North rivals fail to make the most of a golden opportunity
The Detroit Lions have come painfully close to making a Super Bowl run in recent years. They've drafted phenomenally, but when it comes to driving the ball over the goal line, so to speak, they keep falling short. For a team that's all about going all-in and taking risks to win, they play the free agency and trade deadline markets so conservatively.
Their defense is crying out for another top-tier pass-rusher to pair with Aidan Hutchinson. The Philadelphia Eagles made a move, sending a third-round pick to the Miami Dolphins for Jaelan Phillips.
The Indianapolis Colts, sitting 7-2 and in the Super Bowl conversation, spent big to land all-world cornerback Sauce Gardner.
Detroit had a chance to turn its pass rush into an unstoppable force. The Cincinnati Bengals reportedly wanted a first-round pick for Trey Hendrickson. The Lions could've become clear Super Bowl favorites if they'd made a big move for the All-Pro pass-rusher, who has 39 sacks and 69 quarterback hits in his past 41 games.
Over in Chicago, Ben Johnson's Bears did make a pass-rush move after losing Dayo Odeyingbo for the season. But despite having reported interest in trading for Jermaine Johnson, a potentially game-changing addition, they settled for Joe Tryon-Shoyinka in possibly the most underwhelming move on deadline day.
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Bears were unwilling to match the New York Jets' demand of a second-round pick for Johnson, well worth it for an ascending pass rusher with a Pro Bowl to his name.
The Packers' next seven games: Philadelphia, at NY Giants, Minnesota, at Detroit, Chicago, at Denver, at Chicago. Those games against the Lions and Bears could've looked completely different had their rivals swung big at the trade deadline.
The Broncos, too, missed out on an opportunity to land Jaylen Waddle from the Miami Dolphins. That would've made that game a little more daunting.
Green Bay stood firm, having already made its big trade move, while rivals failed to make the most of an opportunity. The Lions' lack of swings is particularly baffling, but we're perfectly fine with it.
No Trey Hendrickson. No Jermaine Johnson. No game-changing pass-rusher coming to the NFC North.
The Packers can breathe a sigh of relief. They won the trade deadline without even taking part.