The Green Bay Packers appear to have a bright future already. Following Aaron Rodgers’ departure, the team continued as usual. In actuality, they improved on their previous season’s record, qualified for the postseason, and have already eliminated the NFC’s #2 seed.
Jordan Love, the quarterback, had an incredible second half to the season and into the playoffs. One report that is now making the rounds could benefit Love by improving his defense.
The Green Bay Packers Land 2-Time Pro Bowl Defensive Lineman In Latest Report
According to Alex Kay of Bleacher Report:
The Washington Commanders are a good bet to be active in the trade market during the 2024 offseason. The team is coming off a disappointing 4-13 campaign—its worst since 2019—and now have a new general manager in place in Adam Peters.
While Peters’ first task will be finding the organization’s next head coach, he’ll soon get to work on crafting a roster that can contend.
While Washington has nine picks in the 2024 draft—four in the top 67—it could use more to overhaul a pockmarked lineup. Dealing veterans to free up salary-cap space and add more draft capital to the coffers should be a priority for Peters.
Due to this shift in focus, Jonathan Allen, the team’s standout defensive tackle, could be on the way out after seven seasons with the club.
Allen has some of the most trade value on the team after making back-to-back Pro Bowls in 2021-22. While his 5.5 sacks this year were his lowest total since 2020, he still had a strong individual season and appeared in at least 15 games for the seventh straight year.
Allen had openly expressed frustration with how the Commanders were faring during a trying 2023 campaign. He’s previously admitted that despite growing up as a fan of the team in Virginia, he’s given thought to playing elsewhere and wants to be part of a winning franchise. While he hasn’t officially requested a trade, it’s possible he won’t have to if the team implements a full-blown rebuild.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said that teams had been inquiring about Allen’s availability leading up to the deadline and noted that Washington could “strip things down to the studs” this spring. With Allen owed just $29.5 million in total over the next two seasons, there should be no shortage of interest if he’s shopped around.
The Green Bay Packers will want to throw their hat into the ring for Allen’s services. While they’ve quickly started flourishing in the post-Aaron Rodgers era, the Packers could use more help on the defensive front. Even on the heels of a strong regular season finish and Wild Card round victory, the Packers still have a real need in the defensive trenches after allowing a lowly 126.3 rushing yards per game and tallying a middling 45 sacks in 2023.
Would The Packers Trade For A Veteran Defensive Tackle?
Chris Jones of the Kansas City Chiefs has proven that age is just a number even when it comes to defensive lineman. Jones is the same age (29) as Allen and has proven his worth on the defensive line. The Packers have been looking for a long-term running mate to put next to Kenny Clark.
Allen said he would love to play for a winning franchise in Washington, but if the Commanders are headed for yet another rebuild, he’d rather play elsewhere:
“I play this game to win and I would love to win here for sure but I want to win first and foremost,” Allen said, via Grant Paulsen. “So that’s always going to be at the front and center of my mind and everything I’m going to be doing in my career is going to make sure I’ll have an opportunity to win.”
If the Packers were interested in bolstering their defensive line in the form of trade, Allen could be a massive addition.
