Packers NFL trade deadline rumors tracker 2024: What to know, names to watch

Posted by Admin October 29, 2024 NFL

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The Green Bay Packers have already pulled off one of the biggest trades of the year across the NFL when they acquired backup quarterback Malik Willis from the Tennessee Titans after training camp in late August.

It might not have seemed like the flashiest move at the time, but Willis has proven to be an invaluable addition. He answered the call after the Packers lost Jordan Love early in the season with an MCL sprain to his left knee and then again when he was needed mid-game against the Jacksonville Jaguars last week. Willis is 3-0 in games played and is a big reason the Packers are 6-2.

They’ve also added through other means — kicker Brandon McManus via free agency — but the Packers can continue to improve their roster via trades for one more week.

The NFL trade deadline is approaching and teams across the NFL will look to make that one acquisition that can help put them over the top.

Here’s what to know about the 2024 NFL trade deadline:

When is the NFL trade deadline?

The 2024 NFL trade deadline is 3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Will the Packers make a trade at the NFL deadline?

The Packers haven’t shied away from making power moves to upgrade the roster in 2024.

They were active players in free agency in the offseason when they acquired Xavier McKinney and Josh Jacobs. Both have helped the team tremendously during the first half of the season.

When Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst didn’t like what he had in backup quarterbacks Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt, he acquired Willis from the Titans for a 2025 seventh-round pick.

Will they make another move to upgrade the roster or acquire more draft capital for the future?

The defense seems like the most likely place where additions or subtractions could be made.

NFL trade rumors: Packers

In a story in The Athletic, Dianna Russini reported that she expects Packers defensive end Preston Smith to draw interest before the deadline. Whether the Packers would entertain a trade for one of their longest-tenured players, though, is uncertain.

Smith, the second-oldest member of the team at 31, joined the Packers in 2019 as a free agent and signed a four-year extension in 2022.

Smith is sixth on the Packers’ all-time sacks list with 44. His best sack season came in 2019 when he had 12. He has 2.5 sacks this season after eight last year.

He has never missed a game in his five-plus seasons with the team and it would be tough to replace the leadership he provides for the NFL’s youngest roster.

Packers trade deadline history

Recent history tells us the Packers could trade a popular veteran player, though.

They made a surprising move last year ahead of the trade deadline when they dealt safety Rasul Douglas and a 2024 fifth-round pick to the Buffalo Bills for a 2024 third-round pick.

The Packers used that pick to draft Missouri linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper with the 91st selection overall.

In 2022, the Packers were quiet before the trade deadline while some of their NFC North counterparts were active.

NFL trade deadline rumors: Detroit Lions

The team in front of the Packers in the NFC North, the Detroit Lions, sound like they will be aggressive as they fight to maintain their perch in the division with eyes on their first Super Bowl in franchise history.

There’s been a lot of chatter around the team in recent weeks about acquiring a pass rusher after star Aidan Hutchinson was lost for the season with a fractured tibula and fibula.

Lions coach Dan Campbell said Monday the team is looking at all options. When asked if a trade could be imminent, Campbell told reporters, “Could be. Yeah, it could be.”

Former Packers defensive end Za’Darius Smith is one player ready to pick up the phone if the Lions call.

The 33-year-old Smith, in his first season with the Cleveland Browns, recently said “it might be a good look” if he were traded to the Lions.