The Green Bay Packers were speculated in trade scenarios this offseason for superstar edge rushers like Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett. However, both players ultimately re-signed on massive deals with their respective teams—Crosby with the Las Vegas Raiders and Garrett with the Cleveland Browns—effectively shutting down any speculation.
Instead, Green Bay opted for more modest additions by drafting edge rushers Collin Oliver and Barryn Sorrell, along with interior defensive lineman Warren Brinson. The moves reflect the team’s trust in Jeff Hafley and defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington to develop young talent. Still, with a couple of weeks left before camp, General Manager Brian Gutekunst has time to make one last move to bolster the defensive front.
One bold possibility comes from Bleacher Report’s Mitchell Milani, who put together a list of major trade packages to acquire Pittsburgh Steelers pass rusher TJ Watt—his pitch for the Packers would turn heads.
TJ Watt is currently in the midst of stalled contract negotiations with the Steelers and is likely seeking a new deal that would make him the highest-paid player in the NFL. If the Packers were to trade for him, they would not just have to give up significant draft capital—they would also need to negotiate a new contract with the former Defensive Player of the Year.
Romeo Doubs is heading into the final year of his rookie contract and is slated to become an unrestricted free agent in 2026. The Packers could have as many as five offensive starters hitting free agency around that time, and truth be told—Doubs probably is not one of the top two guys they will prioritize retaining. Zach Tom and Rasheed Walker should be higher on that list. So, if it appears keeping Doubs long-term might get tricky, it makes sense to at least consider trade offers. Or, in this case, maybe even include him in a deal for a superstar like TJ Watt.
As for Lukas Van Ness, it is hard to imagine Green Bay moving on from him this early. The Packers spent a top-15 pick on him just two years ago, and he should be a key part of their defensive plans for the foreseeable future. He posted four sacks and 18 pressures as a rookie in 2023, then followed that up with three sacks and 20 pressures in 2024. Still, if he does not take a noticeable step forward in 2025, he will be dangerously close to drifting toward bust territory.
Speculation plays a significant role in keeping the NFL offseason lively with plenty of discussion and debate. That said, there is virtually no scenario where the Steelers and TJ Watt do not eventually reach an agreement on a new deal. Watt is a generational talent, and Pittsburgh will do everything in its power to keep him in town. Even if he were to become available, a move like this would be hard for the Packers to pull off without seriously compromising their cap space and long-term roster stability.
