Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur might be tired of hearing questions about the team’s lack of a No. 1 wide receiver, but oddsmakers still see the Packers as a contender for making a blockbuster trade for one of the NFL’s top talents.
According to the latest odds from sportsbetting.ag, the Packers are among the favorites to land Cowboys star CeeDee Lamb for the 2024 season, should Dallas decide to trade him instead of offering him the contract extension he desires.
The Kansas City Chiefs (+500) currently have the best odds as of August 13, followed by the Detroit Lions (+600) and Pittsburgh Steelers (+600). Surprisingly, the Packers (+700) are close behind, tied with the New England Patriots (+700), who recently attempted to trade for San Francisco receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
If the Packers were to acquire Lamb, it would immediately resolve any doubts about the team lacking a true No. 1 receiver. The 25-year-old caught an NFL-leading 135 receptions for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2023, earning him first-team All-Pro honors and his third consecutive Pro Bowl selection in just four seasons.
However, there are a few obstacles to a potential trade for Lamb, starting with the fact that Lamb has not officially requested a trade from the Cowboys, despite holding out from training camp. While things could change if negotiations for a new deal fall through, a Lamb departure doesn’t seem imminent at the moment.
Additionally, the roster-building philosophy of Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst raises questions about whether the team would be willing to pay the steep price required to acquire Lamb, though he has occasionally deviated from his usual approach in the past.
CeeDee Lamb’s Trade Availability May Tempt Packers
There’s an ongoing joke among Packers fans that the team is always in the mix when it comes to high-profile wide receiver trades but rarely ends up securing any of them. GM Brian Gutekunst also tends to be more of a seller than a buyer when it comes to veteran players. Since March 2022, he’s traded away Davante Adams, Aaron Rodgers, and Rasul Douglas without making any significant moves to acquire veteran talent.
This doesn’t mean Gutekunst is hesitant to trade for players he wants; rather, he tends to prioritize investing in draft prospects over established veterans. However, he has made substantial offers for veteran players in the past. For instance, FOX Sports insider Jay Glazer revealed that the Packers offered a first-round pick to the Carolina Panthers for star wide receiver DJ Moore at the 2022 trade deadline, though the Panthers turned it down.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter also reported that the Packers made offers for tight end Darren Waller and wide receiver Chase Claypool around the same time. They offered a second-round pick and a late-round pick in a package for Claypool but ultimately lost out to Chicago.
And let’s not forget the Jonathan Taylor situation during the 2023 training camp. ESPN’s Stephen Holder confirmed that the Packers had trade discussions with the Indianapolis Colts about their All-Pro running back and had a genuine interest in making a deal. Some dismissed the idea of the Packers signing Taylor to a big contract, but they went on to sign Josh Jacobs to a $48 million deal less than seven months later.
While Gutekunst may not be as keen on CeeDee Lamb as some of his previous targets, it’s clear that he’s willing to put forth a strong offer when he’s motivated.
Major Play at WR Might Not Be Necessary for Packers
It’s important to recognize that while Gutekunst might have the boldness to pursue a blockbuster trade, it doesn’t guarantee it will happen, particularly with a player like Lamb. There are several significant hurdles that could prevent the team from making such a move, even if the Cowboys were to make Lamb available.
One major obstacle is the draft capital required. Although it’s uncertain what the Cowboys would demand in return for Lamb, Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay suggests a potential deal could involve the Packers parting with both their 2025 first- and second-round picks, along with third-year receiver Christian Watson.
The financial aspect of Lamb’s new contract also poses challenges. The Packers currently have around $22.4 million in effective cap space for the 2024 season, meaning they could theoretically accommodate a lucrative extension for Lamb with careful structuring. However, Spotrac projects Lamb’s next deal to be approximately $136 million over four years, a figure that would consume a significant portion of the Packers’ cap space for years to come.
On the bright side, the Packers might not need to pursue a high-profile trade for a receiver. LaFleur has expressed confidence in his roster, suggesting that he believes Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, and Dontayvion Wicks all have the potential to perform like No. 1 receivers. Each has made impressive plays during camp and is expected to contribute significantly to the 2024 offense.
Additionally, the Packers have all four receivers under rookie contracts for at least the next two seasons, allowing for greater financial flexibility at other positions.
Given the potential of the Packers’ current receiving corps, they may not need to acquire Lamb after all.
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