Brian Gutekunst loves a trade. It remains to be seen whether he'll make another before the November 10 deadline, but history suggests we shouldn't rule anything out.
Since becoming the Green Bay Packers' general manager in 2018, Gutekunst has made 27 trades. And we're just talking about player trades here, not including pick-for-pick swaps during the draft.
We all remember the Micah Parsons, Aaron Rodgers, and Davante Adams trades, but what about swapping Damarious Randall for DeShone Kizer, or trading Josh Jackson for Isaac Yiadom? It has been quite the journey.
With the trade deadline coming up, I couldn't think of a better time to rank all of Gutekunst's player trades. Yes, all 27 of them. Some were good, and others, well, not so much. Let's dive straight into it.
Clear losses
27. Packers trade Davante Adams to the Raiders (2022)
It never had to end this way. One of Brian Gutekunst's biggest failures as Packers general manager was not paying Davante Adams top-of-the-market money when he had the chance.
Adams revealed that he was willing to sign a multi-year extension in 2021 despite the uncertainty over Aaron Rodgers' future. In a 2024 interview on The Rush with Maxx Crosby podcast, Adams said that Green Bay's offer "barely made me even want to play for them that year."
By the time the Packers were willing to pay up, it was too late.
To Gutekunst's credit, he negotiated a strong trade package despite Adams wanting out, netting picks in the first and second rounds. He used the first on Quay Walker, which didn't work out as he'd hoped, but packaged the second-rounder to move up for Christian Watson.
The reality? The Packers could've kept Adams and still traded up to get Watson. It's impossible to consider this entire situation anything other than Gutekunst's biggest mistake in Green Bay.
Since leaving Green Bay, Adams has caught 378 passes for 4,992 yards and 48 touchdowns, leading the NFL in receiving touchdowns twice.
26. Packers trade Cole Van Lanen to the Jaguars (2022)
- Packers received: 2023 seventh-round pick
- Packers sent: OL Cole Van Lanen
It's hard to blame Gutekunst as much for this one, as Cole Van Lanen was a developmental prospect in 2022. But the Packers did what they rarely do: they gave up on a draft pick after one year.
Mistake.
Van Lanen has become a reliable lineman in Jacksonville, where he is still a starter at right tackle. He has played every position on the offensive line except center, logging 1,413 snaps (and counting) over the past five years.
In 2025, Van Lanen ranked 18th among 89 tackles for PFF's pass-block grade, and 20th in run blocking. The Packers would sure love to have him now.
Making it even worse? Van Lanen was born and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Slight losses
25. Packers trade Rasul Douglas to the Bills (2023)
- Packers received: 2024 third-round pick
- Packers sent: CB Rasul Douglas, 2024 fifth-round pick
Until recently, this would've fallen into the bottom category. Gutekunst misjudged the Packers' 2023 team before the trade deadline, although it's hard to blame him. They were 2-5 and seemed to be going nowhere, so Gutekunst traded Rasul Douglas and a fifth-round pick to the Buffalo Bills for a third-rounder.
That same Packers team reached the divisional round, while Douglas became a key piece of the Bills' secondary.
Green Bay used the third-rounder on Ty'Ron Hopper, and until the past few weeks, this trade looked like a big failure. But Hopper has emerged following injuries to Edgerrin Cooper and Zaire Franklin, and he could potentially earn a bigger role in Jonathan Gannon's defense. Something to watch.
24. Packers trade Dontayvion Wicks to the Eagles (2026)
- Packers received: 2026 fifth-round pick, 2027 sixth-round pick
- Packers sent: WR Dontayvion Wicks
This trade falls into the "too early to tell" category. It could still work out well for the Packers – they used the fifth-rounder on Jager Burton, who could become a starter in the future, and they still have another swing in the sixth round next year.
However, if we're looking at the here and now, the Packers are worse off. Jayden Reed's season-ending injury leaves them thin at wide receiver behind Christian Watson and Matthew Golden, while Wicks (when healthy) has made an impact for the Eagles, catching 19 passes for 284 yards and a touchdown in six games.
Burton endured a disastrous debut, with PFF crediting him with 10 pressures allowed in Week 3. It prompted the Packers to sign three offensive linemen in a little over a week.
This is a trade to revisit in two years.
23. Packers acquire Kaleb Johnson from the Steelers (2026)
- Packers received: RB Kaleb Johnson
- Packers sent: 2028 sixth-round pick
The Packers sent a sixth-round pick to the Steelers for Kaleb Johnson, and while he showed some promise as a runner, he also fumbled twice and got sent to the bench. Johnson has been a healthy scratch for the past two games. Not ideal.
22. Packers trade Brett Hundley to the Seahawks (2018)
- Packers received: 2019 sixth-round pick
- Packers sent: QB Brett Hundley
One of Gutekunst's first moves as general manager was to make a change at backup quarterback. He traded for DeShone Kizer (spoiler alert), which left no room on the roster for Brett Hundley. Green Bay traded Hundley to the Seattle Seahawks for a sixth-round pick, but it didn't work out.
Hundley had been a below-average backup for Aaron Rodgers, but he still led the Packers to season-saving wins over the Cleveland Browns and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2017. He also almost led an improbable win in Pittsburgh.
It was a tough year for Hundley while Rodgers recovered from a broken collarbone, as he threw for 1,836 yards, nine touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
However, Kizer was even worse. In limited action, he completed just 47.6 percent of his passes for 187 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions, while also losing a fumble.
The Packers used the sixth-round pick on running back Dexter Williams, who had seven carries in two years. Green Bay released Kizer after one season.
A wash
21. Packers trade Reggie Gilbert to Titans (2019)
- Packers received: 2020 sixth-round pick
- Packers sent: LB Reggie Gilbert
Reggie Gilbert made 3.5 sacks in two seasons for the Packers but remained in a backup role. Green Bay sent him to the Tennessee Titans for a conditional seventh-round pick that became a sixth-rounder, which it used to select Jake Hanson. Gilbert only lasted one season in Tennessee, while Hanson played 75 offensive snaps for the Packers.
20. Packers trade Ty Montgomery to Ravens (2018)
- Packers received: 2020 seventh-round pick
- Packers sent: RB/WR Ty Montgomery
Ty Montgomery famously fumbled on a kick return against the Los Angeles Rams in 2018, and just two days later, the Packers traded him to the Baltimore Ravens. Montgomery played six games for the Ravens before bouncing around the league, while the Packers used the seventh-round choice on Jonathan Garvin, who made 1.5 sacks and started only one game.
19. Packers trade Justin McCray to Browns (2019)
- Packers received: 2020 seventh-round pick
- Packers sent: OL Justin McCray, 2020 seventh-round pick
The Packers had no room on the 53-man roster for versatile offensive lineman Justin McCray, having signed Billy Turner and drafted Elgton Jenkins. They swapped seventh-round picks with the Cleveland Browns and selected safety Vernon Scott.
McCray spent one season in Cleveland, while Scott played just 89 defensive snaps during his two-year stay in Green Bay.
18. Packers trade Josh Jackson to Browns for Isaac Yiadom (2021)
- Packers received: CB Isaac Yiadom
- Packers sent: CB Josh Jackson
Josh Jackson never lived up to second-round expectations, so the Packers traded him to the New York Giants in a rare player-for-player swap, with Isaac Yiadom heading the other way. It's even rarer for two players at the same position to get traded for each other.
While Yiadom eventually had good seasons with the New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers, it didn't work out for him in Green Bay. Per Pro Football Reference, he allowed a 118.7 passer rating in his coverage during his one season with the Packers.
Jackson never played for the Giants.
17. Packers trade Ka'dar Hollman to Texans (2021)
- Packers received: 2022 seventh-round pick
- Packers sent: CB Ka'dar Hollman
Instead of waiving Ka'dar Hollman on roster cutdown day, the Packers traded him to the Houston Texans. Hollman has since had two stints with the Texans and was a capable backup, but he only started three games after leaving Green Bay.
The Packers used the seventh-rounder to select safety Tariq Carpenter, but he logged just 16 defensive snaps.
16. Packers trade Damarious Randall to Browns for DeShone Kizer (2018)
There were a lot of moving parts here, including pick swaps in the fourth and fifth rounds. In the end, though, neither team won the DeShone Kizer-Damarious Randall trade.
Kizer struggled as Aaron Rodgers' backup and was released after one season. The Packers used one of the picks to trade up for Oren Burks, who became a core special teams player but rarely featured on defense, and the fifth-rounder on Cole Madison, who never played for Green Bay.
Slight wins
15. Packers trade Lenzy Pipkins to Colts for Antonio Morrison (2018)
- Packers received: LB Antonio Morrison
- Packers sent: CB Lenzy Pipkins
This worked in the Packers' favor. They acquired Antonio Morrison from the Indianapolis Colts, and he started eight games in his one season with the Packers. Lenzy Pipkins only played one game for the Colts. Slight advantage to Green Bay.
14. Packers acquire Corey Bojorquez from Rams (2022)
- Packers received: P Corey Bojorquez, 2023 seventh-round pick
- Packers sent: 2023 sixth-round pick
Corey Bojorquez enjoyed a solid season as the Packers' punter, but he struggled as the weather got colder. Green Bay opted not to re-sign him after one year. It didn't cost much, though, as the Packers and Rams swapped Day 3 picks.
Green Bay used its seventh-rounder on running back Lew Nichols III, who never played a snap, while Los Angeles used the sixth-rounder in a package to trade down, and then traded again before landing Kobie Turner. Turner has become an excellent starter for the Rams, but the sixth-rounder from the Packers was barely a drop in the ocean toward landing him, given the multiple trades Los Angeles made.
13. Packers trade Kyle McCord to Dolphins (2026)
- Packers received: 2028 sixth-round pick
- Packers sent: QB Kyle McCord
This one gets an incomplete grade, but it's good business for the Packers. Kyle McCord wasn't making the 53-man roster, but Gutekunst cashed in on his solid preseason performance.
12. Packers acquire B.J. Goodson from Giants (2019)
- Packers received: LB B.J. Goodson
- Packers sent: Nothing
B.J. Goodson didn't make a notable impact in his 15 games for the Packers, but Gutekunst effectively got him for nothing. Green Bay agreed to a conditional seventh-round pick swap (the selection it received from the Ravens for Ty Montgomery), but it was dependent on the Giants having a better season than the Ravens, which didn't happen. The Packers kept their original pick and gave away nothing.
11. Packers acquire Mark Redman from Rams (2026)
- Packers received: TE Mark Redman
- Packers sent: 2028 seventh-round pick
This one also gets an incomplete grade, but Mark Redman has made a positive impact since arriving in Green Bay. He has the Packers' highest PFF run-blocking grade through eight games. Nice pickup for a 2028 seventh-rounder.
10. Packers acquire Darian Kinnard from Eagles (2025)
- Packers received: OL Darian Kinnard
- Packers sent: 2027 sixth-round pick
Darian Kinnard was an important backup along the offensive line last season. He started four games and allowed only one sack on 142 pass-blocking snaps, per PFF. The Packers needed tackle depth, and Kinnard provided it.
9. Packers trade Preston Smith to Steelers (2024)
- Packers received: 2025 seventh-round pick
- Packers sent: Edge Preston Smith
Preston Smith had an outstanding run in Green Bay, but he struggled to adapt to Jeff Hafley's scheme in 2024. On top of that, the Packers wanted to give Brenton Cox Jr. more snaps. Green Bay only received a seventh-round pick, but the cap savings were the real win in this trade. The Packers made significant savings, including $18.21 million in 2026.
Clear wins
8. Packers acquire Randall Cobb from Texans (2021)
- Packers received: WR Randall Cobb
- Packers sent: 2022 sixth-round pick
Aaron Rodgers wanted Randall Cobb to come home in 2021, and Gutekunst made it happen. It only cost a sixth-round pick, which the Houston Texans used to select tackle Austin Deculus, who is currently on his sixth team.
Cobb instantly rediscovered his chemistry with Rodgers and provided solid play as a complementary receiver in the Packers' offense. He caught 62 passes for 792 yards and six touchdowns in 25 games, before following Rodgers to the New York Jets in 2023.
7. Packers trade Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to Commanders (2018)
- Packers received: 2019 fourth-round pick
- Packers sent: S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix was a second-team All-Pro and Pro Bowler in his third season with the Packers, but his performances declined dramatically over the next two years. With Clinton-Dix's contract expiring at the end of the season, Gutekunst made a deal with Washington at the trade deadline. A fourth-rounder was exceptional value.
The Commanders got nine games out of Clinton-Dix but didn't re-sign him in the offseason. The Packers used the fourth-rounder in a package to trade up for his replacement, Darnell Savage.
Savage was an up-and-down player in Green Bay but made some memorable moments, none bigger than his pick-six of Dak Prescott in the 48-32 wild-card win in 2023.
6. Packers trade Colby Wooden to Colts for Zaire Franklin (2026)
- Packers received: LB Zaire Franklin
- Packers sent: DL Colby Wooden
Player-for-player trades are uncommon in the NFL, but Gutekunst negotiated a great deal this past offseason. He found Quay Walker's replacement by landing former Pro Bowl linebacker Zaire Franklin, who has already become a team captain and one of the Packers' defensive leaders.
They sent Colby Wooden the other way, but he was surprisingly waived on roster cutdown day in August and is now playing for the New Orleans Saints.
5. Packers trade Trevor Davis to Raiders (2019)
- Packers received: 2020 sixth-round pick
- Packers sent: WR Trevor Davis
Trevor Davis was a solid returner but rarely played on offense for the Packers. Two games into the 2019 season, Gutekunst caught everyone by surprise by trading Davis to the Oakland Raiders.
The Packers made the most of it, using the 2020 sixth-round pick to select offensive lineman Jon Runyan Jr., who would start 50 games and could play multiple positions. Runyan spent four seasons in Green Bay. Smart business by Gutekunst.
4. Packers acquire Malik Willis from Dolphins (2024)
- Packers received: QB Malik Willis
- Packers sent: 2025 seventh-round pick
Talk about a season-saving move. The Packers didn't believe Sean Clifford or Michael Pratt were ready to back up Jordan Love after they had struggled throughout training camp, so Gutekunst sent a seventh-round pick to the Tennessee Titans for Malik Willis.
It's fair to say it worked out pretty well. The Packers needed Willis to start less than three weeks after the trade, after Love suffered a knee injury in the season opener. He led Green Bay to victories over the Indianapolis Colts and Titans, and later in the year, came off the bench to help the Packers beat the Jacksonville Jaguars. They wouldn't have made the playoffs without his efforts.
Willis had a magical run in Green Bay, completing 78.7 percent of his passes for 972 yards, six touchdowns, and no interceptions, while rushing for 261 yards and three touchdowns. It landed him a starting job in Miami this season.
3. Packers trade Rashan Gary to Cowboys (2026)
- Packers received: 2027 fourth-round pick
- Packers sent: Edge Rashan Gary
Everyone knew the Packers had to move on from Rashan Gary. Everyone.
Well, apparently everyone except Jerry Jones. Gary posted a farewell message on social media, then deleted it and said his account was hacked. It seemed inevitable that the Packers would release him to get his contract off the books.
The Cowboys decided to make a trade offer to ensure they didn't have to battle 30 other teams to sign him. That's fine. Makes sense. But a fourth-round pick? Gutekunst probably couldn't believe his luck.
Gary has fewer sacks this season than Packers rookie cornerback Brandon Cisse.
2. Packers trade Aaron Rodgers to Jets (2023)
After months of online debates between Packers and Jets fans over which team had the most leverage, Aaron Rodgers finally got his move to the Jets. And considering Gutekunst didn't really have an option to keep him, the package he negotiated was impressive.
The Packers and Jets swapped first-rounders, with Green Bay moving from No. 15 to No. 13, which it used to select Lukas Van Ness.
New York also sent a conditional second-round pick, which would've become a first-rounder if Rodgers had played 65 percent of the snaps in 2023. That didn't happen after he tore his Achilles in Week 1.
The Packers used some of the picks to trade up and down the board, but they ended up with these players: Van Ness, Luke Musgrave, Anders Carlson, Edgerrin Cooper, Jacob Monk, and Evan Williams. That's some haul.
Van Ness is finally breaking out, Cooper is a star, and Williams has been the best safety in the NFL this season with a league-leading PFF grade of 90.6.
That's how it's done.
1. Packers acquire Micah Parsons from Cowboys (2025)
Thank you, Jerry Jones. It's still hard to believe this trade is real.
After weeks of speculation that the Packers could make a move for Micah Parsons, it really happened. And the trade package was surprisingly... reasonable? Two first-round picks didn't feel like enough, and while Kenny Clark enjoyed a Pro Bowl career in Green Bay, he was 29 and on a massive contract.
Unfortunately, Parsons' first year in Green Bay ended in December with a torn ACL, but not before he made a seismic impact. Parsons posted 12.5 sacks and 27 quarterback hits in 14 games, helping the Packers go 9-3-1 before his injury.
The Cowboys' defense hasn't been the same without him. They ranked No. 30 in yards allowed last season, and even after adding Quinnen Williams, Rashan Gary, Caleb Downs, and, more recently, Joey Porter Jr., they rank No. 32 so far this year.
Parsons is nearing his return from injury, and he could turn an ascending Packers defense into one of the league's best.
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