The Green Bay Packers offense has been stagnant for most of the last three games they have played. They have struggled to find a rhythm and are still searching for an identity. Perhaps the main reason for this is because Jordan Love is a first-year starter throwing to a group of pass catchers that are either rookies or second-year players.
Due to the immense amount of youth in both the wide receiver and tight end rooms, many felt like the Packers should have tried to a acquire a veteran that could have brought some stability. Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb, their two veteran wide receivers in 2022, each signed with the New York Jets in the offseason to continue playing with Aaron Rodgers.
For their part, the Packers organization has dedicated themselves to this youth movement, regardless of what struggles may come with it. However, former quarterback Kurt Benkert revealed that, towards the end of his tenure in Green Bay, the organization considered trading for now Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley.
The Green Bay Packers Considered Trading for Calvin Ridley
During the Jaguars’ Thursday night matchup against the New Orleans Saints, many fans were calling for Ridley to get more targets. He ended the game with four targets and one reception for five yards.
Also during the game, former Packers quarterback Kurt Benkert revealed that, when he was with the Packers, he was told the team was considering a trade for the former first round pick.
When I was in Green Bay, I was told that the Packers had inquired about trading for Calvin Ridley prior to his suspension, but ultimately decided not to when his status went up in the air.
He could have really elevated that offense and would have been a good fit for all the…
— Kurt Benkert (@KurtBenkert) October 20, 2023
Of course, Ridley was suspended for a full year for violating the NFL’s gambling rules for players. Green Bay lost interest in Ridley after the suspension.
Calvin Ridley This Season with the Jacksonville Jaguars
Due to his suspension, Ridley had to sit out the entire 2022 NFL season. The Atlanta Falcons, his former team, traded him while he was suspended to Jacksonville, who sent a fifth round pick to Atlanta in return.
In his first season since being suspended, Ridley has put up 27 receptions for 368 yards and two touchdowns. He has eclipsed 100 yards in a game twice this season. The first time was in Jacksonville’s season opener against the Indianapolis Colts when Ridley had eight receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown. The second time was in Week Five against the Buffalo Bills when Ridley had seven receptions for 122 yards.
Calvin Ridley Does Have a Connection to the Green Bay Packers
The Falcons did not keep that fifth round pick that Jacksonville sent their way. On April 11, Atlanta traded that pick to the Detroit Lions for Jeff Okudah.
Detroit ended up sending that pick to Green Bay during the NFL Draft. In order to move up to the 45th pick (which Green Bay owned), Detroit sent the 48th overall pick (which the Packers traded) and that fifth round pick they received from Atlanta.
Green Bay used the pick on wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks.
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1 Comment
So what????