Packers Morning Buzz: Time for a bold move from Brian Gutekunst?
Aaron Nagler
Welcome to your Morning Buzz, rounding up news and views regarding the Green Bay Packers and the NFL from around the web and here at PackersNews.com.
The Packers once again have no public practice today and there is no media availablity for Mike McCarthy or the locker room. The next time we’ll see or hear from the team is when they take on the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night at Lambeau Field.
We’ll start with Pete Dougherty’s column advocating for a bold move from Brian Gutekunst.
The time is right for Brian Gutekunst to make a big, bold move.
The Green Bay Packers general manager has a Super Bowl contender as long as Aaron Rodgers is his quarterback. But Rodgers’ clock is ticking, and by chance, a premier defensive player just might be available to try to get the Packers over the top.
Khalil Mack’s contract negotiations with the Oakland Raiders are going nowhere, and his holdout has no end in sight.
So if the Raiders really are willing to deal their All-Pro outside linebacker, then Gutekunst should offer the two first-round draft picks he has for 2019 and hope it’s enough to get Mack.
Mack is the rare player who would be worth such a risk at this time. He’s an elite defender and 27 years old. With Rodgers at quarterback, Mack is the kind of difference maker on the other side of the ball who could give the Packers a good shot at winning a Lombardi Trophy or two over the next three or four years.
And holding New Orleans’ first-round draft pick in 2019, Gutekunst has the wherewithal to make it happen. Really, what could be a better use of that pick than as part of a package to land one of the league’s best defensive players?
Tom Silverstein looks at Nick Perry’s projected place in Mike Pettine’s defense:
Justin McCray’s hold on the right guard spot leads Notes:
I chatted with readers Tuesday afternoon:
Elsewhere, Jason Wilde writes on Aaron Rodgers just wanting to win:
Pro Football Focus liked Marquez Valdes-Scantling’s performance against the Titans:
Dusty Evely suggests an offensive play the Packers should steal from the Patriots:
Davante Adams isn't worried about hitting 1,000 yards:
Do the Packers have to keep a fullback?
The Packers Wire breaks down the roster competition ahead of Thursday night’s game:
Lombardi Ave. has another 53-man roster prediction:
The Packers are still the favorites to land Mack:
The Power Sweep talks Mack:
How much better would Mack make the Packers?
Great story on the Green Bay Guy’s podcast:
Greg Jennings chimed in on Rodgers calling out his young wideouts:
Tuesday was an interesting anniversary:
Don’t expect to see Benn Roethlisberger on Thursday night: