3 trades Packers have to make to get Aaron Rodgers to a Super Bowl

By Joe Romano | Oct 28, 2021

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 24: Rashan Gary #52 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after sacking Taylor Heinicke #4 of the Washington Football Team in the fourth quarter in the game at Lambeau Field on October 24, 2021 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) /

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Oct 10, 2021; London, England, United Kingdom; Atlanta Falcons tight end Hayden Hurst (81) carries the ball against the New York Jets in the second half during an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Falcons defeated the Jets 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Hayden Hurst for 2022 6th Round Pick

Green Bay’s offense centers around Rodgers, Adams, and Jones, that is clear. We are going to see what it looks like without Adams on Thursday night against a surprising Arizona defense. One thing that could show is that the lack of middle-of-the-field threats in the passing game, especially with play-action, limits Rodgers’ strengths.

Robert Tonyan has been a solid tight end option and a menace in the red zone a year ago. Back-up tight end Marcedes Lewis is surprisingly playing over 40% of offensive snaps, and that was with a healthy Adams. Missing Adams and Allen Lazard this week may have those numbers climb even higher. Replacing Lewis’ snap with Hurst could provide a significant boost for this offense.

Don’t forget it was Rodgers that was quoted saying the Packers will be playing more 12 personnel last season. That is one running back and two tight ends. In 2020 they ran that on only 24% of snaps but this season that is up to 34%. Grabbing a Lewis replacement will not only help the offense but could get Rodgers into the formation that he has requested.

Hurst is an expendable piece in Atlanta despite them acquiring them a year ago from the Baltimore Ravens. The arrival of sensational rookie Kyle Pitts makes this move possible. The 28-year old had his best season in Atlanta in 2020. Now with Rodgers, his ceiling would be even higher. This is the type of low-cost maneuver the typically conservative Packers’ front office could make to help lift the team’s Super Bowl hopes.

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