Green Bay Packers Brian Gutekunst has quietly become one of the better general managers in the NFL. Yes, the Packers still follow their time-tested formula—draft, develop, and prepare for the long-term future. But in recent years, Gutekunst has been more flexible, dipping his toes into free agency and the trade market. It’s a welcome change for a franchise that once shied away from anything resembling a midseason trade.
The draft remains his bread and butter, and Gutekunst has been on a tear lately, delivering young contributors across both sides of the ball.
However, he’s also shown a willingness to be pragmatic when the situation calls for it. We’ve seen it with free agent signings like Josh Jacobs and Xavier McKinney. We saw it with trades, like sending Davante Adams to Las Vegas and Aaron Rodgers to New York for valuable picks. Even Rasul Douglas was dealt at the trade deadline last year as the Packers pivoted toward the future.
But the Packers aren’t rebuilding—they’re sitting at 4-2 with legitimate Super Bowl Aspirations. That makes the November 5th trade deadline an intriguing moment for Gutekunst. Does he continue stockpiling assets, or does he strike a deal to reinforce the roster for the stretch run?
There's a case to be made that the Packers need to strike while the iron is hot. Their team has a lot of momentum but could patch some holes in some key areas. Here are three trade targets they should strongly pursue over the next couple of weeks.
Jonathan Jones, Cornerback
The Packers' secondary has been a rotating door, with roles evolving from week to week.
What began with Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes manning the outside, Keisean Nixon in the slot, and Javon Bullard and Xavier McKinney at safety has already morphed into a complex rotation. Evan Williams has earned more snaps at safety, Bullard has been bumped into the slot, and Nixon has shifted to the outside to replace Stokes—who has struggled mightily.
This constant shuffling speaks to the growth of their young players and the struggles of some of the veterans. And while Alexander remains the anchor when healthy, relying on Nixon outside and Stokes anywhere has been a risky proposition. If Green Bay wants to shore up their pass defense, Jonathan Jones from New England is a compelling option.
Jones isn’t a flashy name, but he’s a dependable corner who could slot right in opposite Alexander. The Patriots’ rebuild is in full swing, and at 31 years old, Jones doesn’t fit their timeline. He’s on an expiring contract, which means New England may be inclined to deal him at the deadline to recoup any value they can—perhaps for a Day 3 pick.
While Jones won’t single-handedly transform the Packers' secondary into an elite unit, he brings consistency, veteran savvy, and versatility. His experience in man coverage would complement Alexander’s aggressive style and give Green Bay a reliable option to help solidify their defensive backfield.
For a team navigating a tough schedule, renting a steady presence like Jones could be the kind of subtle but effective move that helps keep Green Bay in Super Bowl contention.
Greg Newsome II, Cornerback
If the Packers want to take a swing on potential rather than stability, Greg Newsome II from the Cleveland Browns could be an intriguing trade target.
Packers fans may recognize the last name—his father, Craig Newsome, was a key contributor to Green Bay’s Super Bowl XXXI-winning team and part of the Packers’ elite defenses of the mid-90s.
Now, the younger Newsome has a chance to carve out his own legacy, though his path has been far from smooth.
The Browns have stumbled out of the gate this season, leading to increased trade speculation around Newsome, who was already involved in rumors during the offseason. He’s had a career marked by flashes of brilliance but weighed down by inconsistency, and Cleveland seems unsure if he's part of their long-term plans. The Packers, however, are in a position to take that gamble.
Unlike a rental like Jonathan Jones, Newsome offers more upside, fitting Green Bay’s timeline with two years left on his rookie contract.
At just 24 years old, he could develop into a complimentary piece alongside Jaire Alexander. Of course, acquiring Newsome comes with some risk—his volatility means there will be growing pains and inconsistent performances. But the Packers have seen enough of what Stokes and Nixon bring, and it’s clear they need more at cornerback.
The price for Newsome might be lower than you’d expect for a former first-round pick, making this a calculated risk. If it pans out, the Packers would be adding a talented young corner who aligns with the team’s future. And if it doesn’t, well, it’s still worth a shot to address a need in their secondary.
