The Packers’ could trade with Panthers for help on defense
Rumors of potential trades are floating around the NFL heavily this week as the trade deadline approaches Nov. 1. On Thursday, reports came out that will set the wheel in motion for more blockbuster trades this season. The San Francisco 49ers’ trade with Panthers sent Carolina’s best asset, Christian McCaffrey, away from the team. The trade signaled a full rebuild is to come for the Panthers. More transactions this week could be on the horizon.
The Panthers have already traded wide receiver Robbie Anderson away this week. But the team still has more players they can deal. One NFL writer thinks the Packers should make a trade for a defensive lineman. Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report thinks the Packers should trade for Matthew Ioannidis by giving up a 2023 seventh-round draft pick. Knox wrote about a potential Packers trade with Panthers in an article about moves that could help change the Super Bowl race.
“With a base salary of only $1 million, he could easily be flipped to a contender.
The Green Bay Packers should be among the interested teams. They have struggled to stop the run—Green Bay has allowed a sixth-worst 811 rushing yards and 4.9 yards per carry—and may be buyers at the deadline…
The Packers have $8 million in cap space remaining and should be looking to make moves. The NFC’s No. 1 seed from last year is sitting at 3-3 and needs to find some way to get back in the Super Bowl picture. Adding Ioannidis (11 tackles, one sack this season) would provide a much-needed boost up front defensively.”
The Packers need help with the run game
As appetizing as a trade for wide receiver sounds now for the Packers, the team has a few other serious flaws as a Super Bowl contender. The Packers’ run defense has been bad at numerous times this season. Rookie linebacker Quay Walker had a hard time defending the run in the team’s loss to the New York Jets in Week 6. A good run defense is necessary to win close games in the playoffs.
Ioannidis can help the run defense. The veteran defensive tackle’s run defense is rated 76.9 by Pro Football Focus. For the Panthers, he has one sack, 12 hurries, and seven stops this season. If the Packers can get Ioannidis cheaply this week, the team will have another key piece on an elite defense that can make a run for the Super Bowl in the winter.
