The Green Bay Packers were part of one blockbuster trade this offseason, sending Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets. Could they become part of a second one, this time acquiring a disgruntled star?
Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones remains away from the team. He is holding out for a new contract and has been charged fines for his absence at training camp. Jones is seeking a deal that resets the market, paying him comparably to Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle, Aaron Donald.
Chiefs’ general manager Brett Veach has said that the team has no intentions of trading Jones, but things could change. We have seen Kansas City have to make some difficult decisions with big-named players recently, trading wide receiver Tyreek Hill, releasing defensive lineman Frank Clark and seeing offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. depart in free agency.
They would certainly prefer to keep Jones, but it could be smart to trade him. His value is as high as it will ever be and paying 30-year-old players record-setting extensions isn’t always good for business.
If the Chiefs are going to trade him, the Packers have been named a potential landing spot for the All-Pro. Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report believes Green Bay would be an ideal landing spot for Jones.
“You may be thinking, “You fool, they have Kenny Clark and Devonte Wyatt!” But I’d deal either of those guys for Jones, who wouldn’t provide as large of an upgrade as we’ve looked at in previous cases here but could save the Packers from having to surrender a primo draft pick in the deal. And it’s not as though Wyatt shined consistently as a rookie late-first-round selection, because he was often a ghost.
This might be as simple as “We’re willing to pay him more than you are,” which makes sense because the Packers could use any edge that comes their way in this critical transitional season.”
Gagnon also mentioned the Packers’ NFC North rivals the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions on the list. That is as much of a reason as why Green Bay landed on there, as they would assuredly want to keep a talented player of Jones’ caliber off the roster of a rival.
As Gagnon mentioned, the Packers could also provide the Chiefs with an instant contributor in a return package. While not on the same level as Jones, Kenny Clark or Devonte Wyatt is a plug-and-play option; someone to help the Chiefs on their quest to repeat as Super Bowl champions.
