Track record suggests the Packers might make a trade soon

If fans complained about the Green Bay Packers' lack of trade activity when Ted Thompson was the general manager, the same can't be said about Brian Gutekunst's tenure since he took over in 2018. Especially in this time of the year, close to the definition of the initial 53-man roster, Gutekunst has been extremely active […]

Wendell Ferreira — NFL News Writer
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Brian Gutekunst
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If fans complained about the Green Bay Packers' lack of trade activity when Ted Thompson was the general manager, the same can't be said about Brian Gutekunst's tenure since he took over in 2018. Especially in this time of the year, close to the definition of the initial 53-man roster, Gutekunst has been extremely active trying to finish up the group and recoup value for players he doesn't want anymore.

So far, Gutekunst has had six final roster cut days — next Tuesday will be the seventh. And the general manager has executed six trades in four different years.

2018

  • Traded CB Lenzy Pipkins to the Indianapolis Colts for LB Antonio Morrison
  • Traded QB Brett Hundley to the Seattle Seahawks for a 6th-round pick

In his first season as a GM, Gutekunst acquired what would be the Packers' starting off-ball linebacker that year in Antonio Morrison. He wasn't a great addition, but adding a starter for a cornerback who would be cut anyway was solid business. Additionally, he moved Brett Hundley months after acquiring DeShone Kizer.

2019

  • Traded edge Reggie Gilbert to the Tennessee Titans for a seventh-round pick
  • Traded G Justin McCray to the Cleveland Browns for the right to swap seventh-round picks
  • Traded with the New York Giants to acquire LB BJ Goodson for a swap of seventh-round picks

The 2019 offseason was a wild period in Green Bay. In March, the Packers signed Za'Darius Smith, Preston Smith, Adrian Amos, and Billy Turner. And right after the final cuts, Gutekunst made three trades. He moved Reggie Gilbert and Justin McCray away, and acquired BJ Goodson — for the second consecutive season, he added a starting linebacker on roster cuts day.

2021

  • Traded CB Josh Jackson to the New York Giants for CB Isaac Yiadom
  • Traded CB Ka'Dar Hollman to the Houston Texans for a seventh-round pick
  • Traded a sixth-round pick to the Los Angeles Rams to acquire P Corey Bojorquez and a seventh-round pick

After not making any moves on roster cuts day in 2020, Gutekunst executed three trades once again in 2021. The most consequential one was acquiring punter Corey Bojorquez from the Los Angeles Rams, as he started all season for them. Isaac Yiadom started a game when Jaire Alexander got hurt, but Rasul Douglas surpassed him almost immediately.

2022

  • Traded OL Cole Van Lanen to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a seventh-round pick

The most recent roster cut day trade made by the Packers was two years ago, when they were able to move Cole Van Lanan for a guaranteed seventh-round pick — which certainly feels like a win based on what Green Bay had gotten out of the former sixth-rounder.

Offensive linemen and cornerback seem like the two positions in which the Packers tend to be able to get some compensation for their surplus. Therefore, pieces like Royce Newman, Kadeem Telfort, and Robert Rochell are realistic options. Meanwhile, acquiring a kicker is a possible outcome based on how concerning the competition between Anders Carlson and Greg Joseph has been.

It will be a busy, hectic week for the Packers. The final preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens will help the decision-making process, and the pro scouting department will scour the league to find potential contributors at the last minute.

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