NFL trade deadline: One move every team should make
By Joe Schiller
21. Green Bay Packers: Trade for Eli Manning
Losing Aaron Rodgers was an absolute kill-shot for the Green Bay Packers. Not only did they lose their best offensive weapon, but the best quarterback in the NFL. Rodgers was the lifeblood of this team and now that’s sucked out with him sidelined at least two to three months with a broken collarbone. At 4-2, the Packers are in playoff contention but aren’t going to get anywhere with Brett Hundley under center, that’s just the reality of the situation. It may seem crazy, but a trade for Eli Manning would make a ton of sense and put the Packers right back into serious contention.
Looking around the league, there aren’t any other plausible options at quarterback. The market is thin and you know that’s the case when Tony Romo is the next best option. The Giants are currently 1-6 and aren’t going anywhere this season. Manning has seemed to just about to have overstayed his welcome and would be better off with a contending team.
I can’t put Eli on the same pedestal as Rodgers, but he’s got two Super Bowl wins and a ton of playoff experience, which is something you can’t discredit. Manning knows how to navigate through the NFC and would be placed with weapons at receiver and running back. Packers fans would take him over Brett Hundley any day of the week, no matter how much they hate him.
The Packers would most likely have to mortgage some of their future draft picks for a possible move, but they’ve got a tight window for another run at a Super Bowl. This would be a one-season loan for Manning, but one that would be worth it if the Packers think they have a legitimate shot at a Super Bowl title.