Jeffery Simmons and Kirk Cousins are the biggest names to join the NFC North before the trade deadline, but the Green Bay Packers should be relieved it wasn't worse.
There's no denying the impact both players can make. Simmons already has two sacks, three tackles for loss, and two pass defenses in his first two games with the Chicago Bears. He has transformed their defense.
Cousins will give the Minnesota Vikings above-average quarterback play, which might be all they need, given the dominance of their defense. The Packers will get a boost of their own in the near future, though, with Micah Parsons set to return in the next few weeks.
Simmons and Cousins in the NFC North? Not ideal, of course. We'd prefer it if they weren't here. But based on the rumors leading up to the trade deadline, the Packers can be thankful for the moves that didn't happen.
Two trades we're happy didn't happen before the deadline
Jonathan Taylor to the Vikings
The Packers were floated in Jonathan Taylor trade rumors, but interest from the Vikings felt far more serious.
Just a few days before the deadline, The Athletic's Jonathan Jones reported that the Vikings and New York Giants were the "favorites to land Taylor." Thankfully, the Indianapolis Colts decided, for some bizarre reason, that the best way to launch a rebuild was to turn down strong offers for their star running back.
We're sure glad they did.
Green Bay simply didn't have the draft capital to tempt Indianapolis, having already sent its first-round pick to the Dallas Cowboys. Minnesota was in a far stronger position to make a competitive offer, and Taylor would've been a transformational addition.
Despite the Vikings ranking No. 4 in run-block win rate this season (per ESPN), their rushing attack has left a lot to be desired.
Aaron Jones is showing signs of decline in his 10th NFL season. His 4.1 yards-per-carry average is fine, but it's also a career low. Per PFF, Jones is also averaging a career low in yards after contact per carry, and he's fumbled three times this season.
Jordan Mason was more efficient against the Buffalo Bills last week, averaging 5.8 yards per carry, and he could be the Vikings' RB1 moving forward.
But Jonathan Taylor would've changed the game.
Taylor has tallied 2,241 yards and 21 touchdowns in 26 games since the start of last season. He would've eased the pressure on the rest of the offense, no matter who started at quarterback.
For a team that already boasts an elite defense, adding Taylor on offense would've made the Vikings a nightmare in the NFC North.
Khalil Mack to the Bears
Even after making a blockbuster trade for Jeffery Simmons, adding Khalil Mack still seemed to be on the table for the Bears. While he isn't the All-Pro we remember from his previous stint in Chicago, Mack would've been a game-changing addition.
Simmons has transformed the Bears' pass rush. It has allowed defensive coordinator Dennis Allen to blitz less often. Simmons is so disruptive up front and draws so much attention that it has freed up Montez Sweat on the edge.
Austin Booker is already enjoying a breakout season with a career-best five sacks, but Sweat has looked like a different player since Simmons' arrival, making a sack and four quarterback hits in the past two weeks.
Now imagine Mack joining them.
The nine-time Pro Bowler is still an effective pass rusher. Per PFF, he's recorded 19 pressures and three sacks this season. Mack is also an excellent run defender.
Adding him to the Bears' rotation would've created a real problem for the Packers in the NFC North. It would've given Dennis Allen a deep depth chart to work with, allowing him to get creative with how to deploy them. And that would've eased the pressure on Chicago's struggling secondary.
It felt like a no-brainer, even after the Simmons blockbuster, but we're pleased Mack is still in Los Angeles.
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