3 Packers rumors they absolutely must act on before NFL trade deadline

Packers rumors: Trade for D.J. Moore

Moore is in his fifth NFL season, and has averaged around 1,100 yards receiving from 2019-21. It’s unclear if he’ll reach that barrier this year, but much of that can be blamed on the quarterback play of Baker Mayfield.

Mayfield hasn’t been elite — certainly not Aaron Rodgers level — and Moore would benefit greatly from playing with a quarterback of that ability. He also fits well in a Packers system which lacks production from its outside receivers. The majority of Moore’s yardage comes from exactly that, and it would allow Green Bay to move Randall Cobb, Allen Lazard, Romeo Doubs and others into more comfortable positions where they can thrive.

The only holdup? It’s always money.

Moore signed a three-year extension worth over $61 million this summer. That comes with severe cap hits Green Bay may not want to take on, especially if they hope to make more roster additions with a similar impact of a player like Moore.

Paul Bretl of Dairyland Express summed up the financial dilemma well in his column:

"“In 2023, Moore has a guaranteed salary of $19.96 million and comes with a cap hit of $25.04 million. The cap hit is then $20.92 million in 2024 and 2025, according to Over the Cap. Green Bay could get out of the deal in 2024 and save a few million dollars, but they would still incur $9.75 million in dead cap, and also, why make the trade to then just release the player less than two years later?”"

Brian Gutekunst, like most general managers, has stated he’s not afraid to spend. Acquiring Moore would take a lot of cap gymnastics, but if the Packers are serious about winning a Super Bowl in Rodgers final year(s), this is the kind of move they need to make.