The mood around 1265 Lombardi Avenue is, well, pretty grim. Honestly, it’s hard to find a silver lining when you blow a 15-point second-half lead to the Chicago Bears in the Wild Card round. That 31–27 loss didn't just end the 2025 season; it blew the doors wide open on a chaotic 2026 offseason. Now, the Green Bay Packers trade rumors are flying faster than a Jaire Alexander post-game interview.
Between a "lame duck" coaching situation and a superstar pass rusher who seemingly vanished down the stretch, Brian Gutekunst has some massive headaches to deal with. The biggest question isn't just who they'll draft. It’s who they’re about to ship out to balance the books and fix a defense that gave up 25 points in a single quarter to Caleb Williams.
The Rashan Gary Problem: Is a Trade Actually Happening?
If you had told a Packers fan three years ago that Rashan Gary would be labeled a "$96 million bust," they would've laughed you out of the stadium. But here we are. Gary hasn't recorded a single sack since Week 8. That is a staggering drought for a guy who was supposed to be the foundational piece of Jeff Hafley’s "confidence defense."
The rumors are gaining serious steam. Gary is set to carry a massive $28 million cap hit in 2026. While he was a Pro Bowler in 2024, his 2025 tape tells a different story—PFF grades dipping below 61.0 and a noticeable lack of impact after Micah Parsons went down with a torn ACL in late August.
Why a trade makes sense now:
- Cap Relief: Moving Gary could save the Packers roughly $11 million in 2026 cap space.
- The Parsons Effect: When the Packers traded two first-round picks and Kenny Clark to the Dallas Cowboys for Micah Parsons, the hierarchy changed. With Parsons eyeing a September return from his Achilles injury, the team might decide they can’t afford two premium edge rushers—especially one who isn't producing.
- New Identity: There’s talk that Baltimore or even a team like the Raiders might take a flyer on Gary, hoping a change of scenery restores his 2024 form.
It’s a tough pill to swallow. Trading a homegrown talent is never the goal. But Gutekunst has proven he isn't afraid of the "best player available" or "best value available" philosophy. If he can recoup some of the draft capital lost in the Parsons trade, he might just pull the trigger.
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The Matt LaFleur Trade Theory
This is where things get weird. Most of the time, coaches are fired or extended. But with nine head coaching openings across the NFL—including a shocking vacancy in Pittsburgh after Mike Tomlin stepped down—the idea of a Matt LaFleur trade has moved from "sports talk radio fodder" to a legitimate possibility.
Forbes’ Rob Reischel recently pointed out that LaFleur is entering the final year of his contract in 2026. Team President Ed Policy famously hates "lame duck" situations. While reports from Adam Schefter suggest the sides are talking extension, the "Fire LaFleur" chants in Green Bay are the loudest they've ever been.
Imagine this: A team like the Giants or Titans, desperate for a proven winner (despite the recent playoff failures), offers a second-round pick for LaFleur. The Packers get out of an awkward extension and gain a high pick to rebuild the defense. It’s rare. It’s risky. But in 2026, it’s being discussed.
Roster Casualties and the 2026 Cap Reality
The Packers are currently over the 2026 salary cap. That’s the "hangover" from going all-in on Parsons and extending Jordan Love. Because of this, several fan favorites are suddenly on the "potential trade or cut" list.
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Elgton Jenkins is a name that hurts to mention. He’s been the literal glue of the offensive line, but his $32 million decision looms large. Then there's Quay Walker. While he’s improved as a run stuffer, his struggles in coverage have some wondering if the Packers will move on before his contract gets too expensive.
What most people get wrong about these rumors
A lot of folks think the Packers are in "total rebuild" mode. They aren't. They won 9 games and made the playoffs. This is a "retooling" around Jordan Love. The goal of any trade—whether it's Gary or a veteran like Jenkins—is to find guys who fit Hafley's scheme better or to find cheaper labor through the draft.
Who could the Packers target?
If they do move Rashan Gary, don't expect them to sit on that cash. The secondary is a mess. Since Jaire Alexander’s role has shifted and the depth has been tested, the Packers are desperate for a true identity at cornerback.
You’ll hear names like Sauce Gardner or other elite corners in hypothetical "dream" trades, but the reality is usually more boring. Look for Gutekunst to target a disgruntled veteran on a mid-tier contract or use acquired picks to move up in the draft for a lockdown corner.
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Actionable Insights for the Offseason
If you're following the Green Bay Packers trade rumors this month, keep your eyes on these specific triggers:
- The February 1st "Decision Date": If an extension for LaFleur isn't signed by early February, the trade talk will become a roar.
- Restructure Announcements: If the Packers start restructuring Jordan Love or Xavier McKinney’s deals, it means they are trying to keep the core together and might not trade Gary.
- The Combine: This is where the real deals are cooked. Watch for reports of Gutekunst meeting with teams like the Ravens or Cardinals.
The road to redemption after the Chicago collapse is going to be painful. Whether it involves trading a franchise staple or making a historic move with the coaching staff, the 2026 Packers will look vastly different than the team that walked off the field in January.
What you can do next: Check the daily NFL transaction wire for "Reserve/Future" signings. The Packers just signed 16 players, including RB Pierre Strong Jr. and kicker Lucas Havrisik. These smaller moves often signal which veterans (like the backup RBs or special teamers) are officially on the chopping block to make room for a big trade.