The Green Bay Packers are entering 2023 as serious underdogs. Not many are giving the young team much of a chance to compete in the weak NFC North. However, due to the lack of Super Bowl contending teams in the conference and the low-quality of the NFC North in particular, it is entirely possible that the Packers make some noise this season. In order for that to happen, though, several things need to happen. Of course, the young offense needs to improve with new starting quarterback Jordan Love under center.
Related: Green Bay Packers: NFL Analyst Claims Defense Is the 1 Reason Team Could Contend for Division Title
As much as people will be eyeing Love and the offense all season, it is almost more vital for the defense to improve. Defensive coordinator Joe Barry has failed to get the most out of his defense, which now is composed of eight first round picks. The run defense was especially bad in 2022 and must be better in 2023. In order to improve this facet of the defense, Bleacher Report‘s Alex Ballentine suggests that Green Bay trade for Indianapolis Colts starter Grover Stewart.
Should the Green Bay Packers Trade for Defensive Lineman Grover Stewart

In his article in which he names three trades that the Packers should make before the season begins, Ballentine cites the team’s poor run defense and the losses of Dean Lowry and Jarran Reed on the defensive line as reasons why Green Bay should trade for Stewart:
“The Packers had one of the worst run defenses in the league last season. They gave up 5.0 yards per carry and were often bullied at the line of scrimmage.
“It’s a glaring need that the team didn’t necessarily address. First-round pick Lukas Van Ness may be able to help as a defensive end, but it’s the interior that needs new blood. Jarran Reed and Dean Lowry left in free agency, but Green Bay didn’t sign anyone to replace them.
“That would make defensive tackle an obvious trade target.
“Grover Stewart is one of the best who could be available when you connect the dots. The Colts defensive tackle is in the final year of his contract, and Indianapolis already has big money invested in DeForest Buckner on the inside.
“If the Colts don’t intend to extend Stewart’s contract, they might be willing to part ways with him.
“The 29-year-old would be a big boost for the Packers’ run defense. At 6’4”, 315 pounds, he’s the kind of big-bodied tackle who could come in alongside Kenny Clark and give them consistency.
“Stewart’s four sacks wouldn’t have been a bad addition to the pass rush last year, either.”
Last season, Stewart had a decent overall PFF defensive grade of 69.0. His run blocking grade of 68.9 was better than Packers’ interior defenders Kenny Clark (53.0), Devonte Wyatt (60.9), and TJ Slaton (61.9). For the record, Lowry had a run defense grade of 56.7 and Reed had one of 59.1.
In other words, a trade for Stewart would be an immediate upgrade on the defensive line. In that sense, the Packers would benefit greatly from pulling the trigger on a trade for him.
But can they afford him? Stewart has $10 million due to him this year, the last year of a three-year $30 million contract he signed with the Colts. Green Bay does not have much cap space, and signing Stewart would eat up over half of their space. In that sense, a trade would be a huge risk.
If the Packers think they can compete this year, though, it may be a risk worth taking.
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