Brian Gutekunst remains confident in the Green Bay Packers’ cornerback depth chart without Jaire Alexander, and that’s probably for the best because they are running out of possible replacements.
The Packers can still sign a free agent at the position, but the boldest and biggest move they could consider is a trade for Jalen Ramsey. One way to replace an All-Pro cornerback? Add another.
However, Adam Schefter of ESPN effectively ended any hope of that happening.
“Jalen Ramsey will get traded. It will be, I would expect, before the start of training camp,” Schefter told The Pat McAfee Show. “I think he would like to go to the West Coast to Los Angeles — Rams, Chargers, somewhere like that.”
Wonderful. That all but ends that, then.
If we’re being completely honest, a Ramsey-to-Packers trade was never likely. It’s just not the kind of move Gutekunst (or the Packers in general) makes, especially if we consider how much confidence he has expressed in the current group.
Packers fans can forget about a surprise trade for Jalen Ramsey
Yeah, it’s not happening. Davante Adams had a similar intention to return to the West Coast, and he soon got his wish by signing with the Rams.
It’s not exactly the same scenario, as the Dolphins have to find a trade partner. Adams had more flexibility as a free agent, whereas Miami, in theory, could trade Ramsey wherever it wants. If Green Bay makes a stronger offer, the Dolphins would have no obligation to accept anything from another team.
But it’s also difficult to envision the Packers overpaying, especially if West Coast teams like the Rams have interest.
The Packers released Alexander a day before minicamp started, and the All-Pro has since reunited with college teammate Lamar Jackson by signing with the Baltimore Ravens on a bargain deal. Gutekunst likes Green Bay’s cornerback competition, but adding a veteran to replace Jaire would help.
It now looks even less likely to be Ramsey.
Was a Packers trade for Ramsey ever realistic? No, but it’s the hope that gets you. It would’ve been an exciting move, and one that signaled Gutekunst was serious about showing “urgency” to put the Packers in Super Bowl contention.
Schefter’s report all but ends that dream.
