Green Bay Packers and Tennessee Titans trade proposal sends former pro-bowler to the Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers are in a bit of a bind right now.

With the future of first ballot Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers in serious doubt, the team is at the proverbial crossroads when it comes to next year’s direction. The problem is that no decisions can even be made until something is done about the Rodgers situation.

The 39-year-old quarterback has made it clear, in no uncertain terms, that he intends to play for the New York Jets next season. He’s also made it clear that the Packers’ expectations of the return in a trade for him are what’s holding up a deal from being made.

It had been reported that the Green Bay Packers were looking for two first-round picks in exchange for Rodgers. However, his insistence on being traded to the New York Jets has tipped the negotiating table in the New York team’s favor. One deal offered to the Green Bay Packers had been labeled as a “lowball” offer by those in the know. Whatever the case, Green Bay will be expecting a sizable haul for Rodgers, and rightfully so.

Now, in comes the Tennessee Titans Pro Bowl safety Kevin Byard as the possible bridge between both the Packers and the Jets getting where they want to go in this Rodgers situation.

The 29-year-old Byard has been one of the best all-around safeties in the league over the last few seasons and, statistically, could be considered the very best at the moment. Last season, the seven-year veteran had 108 tackles, four interceptions and six passes defended. Drafted in the third-round of the 2016 NFL Draft, the Middle Tennessee State star already has two All-Pro and two Pro Bowl nominations.

The Titans team captain rejected the notion of taking a pay cut when the Tennessee front office approached him about the possibility of reconstructing his deal for the sake of team economics. Although he’s been vocal about wanting to stay with the organization, there is reportedly considerable friction between himself and an apparently rebuild-minded management at the moment.

A coming together of the Packers and the Titans in the midst of chaos on multiple fronts could help all parties involved.

The Packers, who need help at safety, feel that they can still go places this coming season and could go deep into the playoffs even without Aaron Rodgers. A couple of high-end draft picks will always be welcome in any organization, but the acquisition of a legit impact player right now could further solidify the playoff credentials of next year’s team.

The Titans, meanwhile, are looking to shed salary and rebuild the core of the team. Byard would be missed on several levels, but a high-priced star on a 7-10 team is a bit of a waste. The case could be made that the team’s best bet for a rebuild would be in trading away a player like Byard, who still has tremendous return value, for a package of prospects.

The Packers have been looking to add quality wide receivers this offseason, but safety also remains a concern with Adrian Amos still exploring opportunities in free agency.

A Kevin Byard deal would require some shifting of money and juggling of contracts, but, in terms of on-the-field logistics, it makes perfect sense.