The Green Bay Packers have had a busy offseason, but a massive trade request for four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore would shock the NFL.
Sayre Bedinger, a Dairyland Express contributor, proposed a few deals that the Packers may still make this summer. Trades included obtaining a veteran wide receiver such as Tee Higgins or Brandon Aiyuk, but one of the more intriguing suggestions was for the Packers to acquire Lattimore from the New Orleans Saints.
“The Saints may be better off hanging onto Lattimore, but they would also benefit by adding a 3rd or 4th-round pick and getting his contract off the books,” Bedinger said in a statement. “Since the Packers have 11 selections in this draft, spending one or two on Lattimore wouldn’t be the worst decision general manager Brian Gutekunst could make.”
Acquiring a four-time Pro Bowler may seem like a stretch, but there is a viable trade possibility if the Packers chose to pursue Lattimore.
ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler stated that the Saints are considering shopping Lattimore, citing individuals he met with at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Lattimore’s deal has just been restructured, making it much more affordable for a team interested in acquiring him this offseason.
The Packers have plenty of cap space to work with, both now and in the coming years. According to Over the Cap, the Packers still have $22 million in cap room despite a crowded free agent period. By 2025, that figure has risen to $68 million.
Meanwhile, the Saints must continue to reduce their wage cap for future seasons. New Orleans was able to get under the cap this offseason with considerable movement and deal restructures, but it will still be $73 million above the cap in 2025, roughly $50 million more than the league’s second-worst cap space for next season.
Moving Lattimore now in exchange for draft capital may make the 27-year-old a viable trade target for a team such as the Packers.
If the Packers make a play for a star cornerback like Lattimore, it may raise further concerns about the future of All-Pro CB Jaire Alexander.
General manager Brian Gutekunst promptly ruled out the prospect of dealing Alexander at the outset of the offseason. Gutekunst reacted with a one-word “no” when asked about the prospect.
Unlike Lattimore, Alexander’s deal would make him much more difficult to transfer, even if the Packers were willing to trade him. A deal before June 1 would result in a dead cap loss of approximately $26 million.
Alexander is still under contract until 2026, so he should be confident about his chances for a career season under new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. The former Boston College head coach is known for developing defensive backs, and his knowledge and new defensive strategy should help Alexander regain his All-Pro form in 2024 and beyond.
Combining Alexander with another excellent cornerback, Lattimore, and newly acquired safety Xavier McKinney might give Green Bay one of the strongest secondary units in the NFL.
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