The Green Bay Packers have been rumored to be in the market as a “buyer” and the NFL’s trade deadline. The offense has been inconsistent as of late, so much so that they have only totaled six first-half points over the last four games.
Getting off to a slow start is not how you consistently win games in the NFL. Playing from behind requires the offense to be near perfect the rest of the game. As it turns out, the Packers can now pursue one wide receiver who could help with the offense’s woes.
The Green Bay Packers Can Pursue Denver Broncos Wide Receiver Cortland Sutton
Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated annotated how the Broncos are shopping some of their star players:
After that’s done, I do think Denver will undergo a more thorough retooling, with Payton captaining all of it. Which is why the Broncos are going to listen to trade inquiries on Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, Garett Bolles, Josey Jewell, Justin Simmons and even Patrick Surtain II over the next six days. The Broncos aren’t close, they need picks and it makes sense exploring getting more.
It’s also, to me, the smart thing to do, if you’re Payton, George Paton or Greg Penner, in charting a course out of this near-decade-long malaise for a very proud franchise.
If the Packers decide to trade for a wide receiver this season, Sutton should be among their top choices. Despite being 28, he is still very much in his prime. A veteran wide receiver alongside Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs would provide Jordan Love with plenty of firepower through the air.
In November 2021, the Broncos extended Sutton’s contract for four years and $60.8 million. Under his contract through 2025, he will be subject to a cap hit of $18.3 million in 2024. After June 1, a trade would save Denver $14.4 million in 2023 and incur dead-cap charges of $3.8 million in 2023 and $7.7 million in 2024.
The Packers will gain extra draft capital in 2024 as a result of Aaron Rodgers’ trade, along with compensatory picks for all free agents who did not resign. As the Packers plan for 2023 and beyond, Sutton would be a great addition.
