The Packers tried — and failed — to land several receiving playmakers for Aaron Rodgers ahead of the trade deadline, according to reports by ESPN and NFL.com.
Chief among them: Raiders tight end Darren Waller, whom Green Bay had already attempted to land as part of a deal that sent Davante Adams to Las Vegas over the offseason. The Packers again reached out to see if the Raiders would trade Waller, and Las Vegas again refused after signing him to a three-year, $51.1 million extension over the offseason.
Waller, who has been dealing with a hamstring issue, is not expected to play on Sunday vs. the Jaguars, per Vic Tafur of The Athletic.
Green Bay was also heavily involved in talks with the Steelers to land receiver Chase Claypool, who has 32 catches for 311 yards and a touchdown in eight games this season. (Allen Lazard is Green Bay’s top receiver with 340 yards and four touchdowns on 26 catches in six games.)
It appeared as if the Packers would land the third-year receiver, until the Bears came to the table with an offer. Per ESPN, Pittsburgh turned down Green Bay’s offer of a second-rounder and another late-round pick, instead taking the Bears’ offer of a single second-round pick. The Steelers believed Green Bay could still turn its season around under Rodgers, which would lessen the value of their NFL draft selections.
With that, the Bears not only added a valuable receiving target for second-year quarterback Justin Fields, but also kept the Packers from giving Rodgers the same target.
NFL.com also reported that Green Bay showed interest in Panthers’ fifth-year receiver D.J. Moore, which Carolina reportedly rebuked as it attempts to build a team around a core of young playmakers.
One player for whom Green Bay did not show significant interest was Texans third-year receiver Brandin Cooks. He expressed frustration at his team’s inability to move him at the trade deadline, but it appears Green Bay — like many others — wasn’t interested in adding him.
Regardless, Rodgers and Co. will now have to resort to free agency if they want to add a playmaker at the receiving position. That includes Odell Beckham Jr., who is expected to make a return in early December and sign with a potential Super Bowl contender.
The Packers (3-5) have the month of November to prove to him and others that they are a worthy free agent destination.
