Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst confirmed Friday he explored adding an “explosive offensive player” at the trade deadline in October but couldn’t find the right value from a limited set of potential deals.
Gutekunst’s revelation came after he was asked if he regretted anything about the way his roster was built in 2019. Clearly, the Packers general manager believed his offense needed another playmaker.
“As we got through the first part of the season before the trade deadline, we were looking to see it made sense to add another explosive offensive player,” Gutekunst said Friday. “The opportunities to do that were not many, and the ones that were were not particularly sound value, in my opinion. We looked at that. I was also very optimistic that some of our young players would improve and get us where we wanted to be.”
The Packers were limited at receiver behind Davante Adams and probably could have used another dependable option in the passing game down the stretch.
Gutekunst confirmed the Packers would be looking for help at receiver this offseason.
Several deals for offensive weapons got done at the deadline, but prices were steep – too steep for Gutekunst.
The San Francisco 49ers sent a third- and a fourth-round pick to the Denver Broncos for receiver Emmanuel Sanders and a fifth-round pick.
The New England Patriots sent a second-round pick to the Atlanta Falcons for receiver Mohamed Sanu.
The Arizona Cardinals sent a sixth-round pick to the Miami Dolphins for running back Kenyan Drake.
Receivers Robby Anderson and DeVante Parker and tight end O.J. Howard were reportedly available, but all three ended up staying put.
The cost was too high and the Packers moved forward. Eventually, Allen Lazard stepped up and gave the offense a more capable No. 2 receiver after both Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Geronimo Allison struggled.
The offense remained inefficient and wasn’t good enough on third down, but the Packers still won 13 regular-season games and advanced to the NFC title game.
The team’s interest in adding a weapon on offense at the deadline highlights what could be a major goal this offseason. Gutekunst has prioritized getting Aaron Rodgers and Matt LaFleur a playmaker to help the offense take a big step in their second season in the system.
“I’m really excited to see what he can do in Year 2. I know Matt talks a lot about what Matt Ryan did in Year 2, the comparatives there. I’m really excited to see where him and the offense can go,” Gutekunst said.
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