The splash trades I remember in NFL history tend to be ones where the team acquiring the marquee player ends up disappointed. John Hadl, Herschel Walker, Ricky Williams, Khalil Mack, and Aaron Rodgers had different levels of success, but never matched the initial optimism. Can you cite some examples where a blockbuster trade worked out the way the team hoped it would? (Although it involved a first-rounder, I don’t remember Favre’s trade as “splashy,” hardly a marquee name at the time).
I don’t remember how many high draft picks were involved, but most recently Matthew Stafford to the Rams and Christian McCaffrey to the 49ers have worked out for those teams. Turning back the clock further, Marshall Faulk to the Rams, Eric Dickerson to the Colts, Randy Moss to the Patriots, Steve Young to the 49ers, and Jerome Bettis to the Steelers were awfully successful trades. The Mack trade was huge for the Bears at first, as they won the NFC North, but they still didn’t have a franchise quarterback.
Ryan from Chippewa Falls, WI
I don’t want to take anything away from the excitement or splash of the Parsons trade, but this move got me thinking. What is the most bold trade the Packers have ever made? Was it Wolf trading for Favre? I can’t remember what Wolf gave up, but Parsons was definitely much more of a proven commodity compared to Favre. Also, didn’t Brett fail his physical or something, and RW was willing to roll the dice on him?
The failed physical is part of the story’s lore. A brand new GM trading a first-round pick for a player drafted in the second round sitting third on the other team’s depth chart was indeed a bold stroke. I don’t know how to compare them, because QB moves rank above all else, but the financial investment in Favre was minimal at first. I’ve also always wondered whether Wolf makes that trade had he not possessed another first-round pick that year, at No. 5 overall no less. That had to make it a tad easier.
Do you think Rodgers is turning over in his Steelers uniform wondering why the Packers didn’t try this hard to win a championship with him? The front office didn’t seem to go out and trade for great talent in their prime from other teams, nor draft top echelon receivers like the Golden One or go after young free agents like Xavier McKinney and Josh Jacobs. In just a few short years they have provided Jordan Love with enough warriors to not just win a few battles but claim victory in the whole war!
There was undeniable reluctance at times on Thompson’s part to make this type of move. No arguing that. But he did sign Woodson in ’06 and Peppers in ’14, and he may not have spent first-rounders on receivers, but he used plenty of seconds. With Gutey, he was going to trade for Mack in ’18 and put as much on the table as the Bears, but the Raiders surmised Chicago’s draft slots would be better. There’s also been plenty reported regarding his interest in Justin Jefferson in the ’20 draft, but he couldn’t find a trade partner to move up high enough from 30. The Vikings were sitting at 22 thanks to their Stefon Diggs trade to Buffalo and got him, then San Francisco moved up for Minnesota’s original first-rounder at 25 to take Brandon Aiyuk. So Gutey went and got his next quarterback. My point is just because certain things didn’t happen doesn’t mean the effort wasn’t there.
Kevin from Westminster, CO
Surely two games in four days is never something to be enthralled over, but do you see any advantage to opening the season with it while everyone is fresh and as healthy as you’ll be versus mid or late season?
I might feel that way had the Packers been healthy throughout training camp, but all the missed time by front-line players doesn’t make me feel great about the two big home games right out of the gate. Hopefully the adversity can be overcome.
I’m not sure I get the angst over adding an 18th game. Yogi Berra’s response to concerns when MLB went from 154 to 162 games was “what’s another six games over a long season.” I’m thinking moving from 17 to 18 will be forgotten quickly, as was going from 16 to 17.
We need a day of Yogi answering Inbox questions. You’re probably right. The TV ratings will tell the story. But once they get 18, the next question is how soon the owners will push again toward 20, because they will.
Hey fellas, the Inbox is full of words and phrases like “potential, upside, ascending talent, ready for the next step and had a great camp.” It all reminds me of why we call this baloney season. At what point of regurgitation do you get that feeling of “Let’s just see who wins Week 1”? Thanks.
I’m perpetually there, and prepared for all the overreactions to the Week 1 results.
Kevin from Bettendorf, IA
As great as Micah Parsons has been and we hope continues to be, a successful Packers’ season still rests on positive developments to the questions we’ve had all summer. Whether it’s Jordan Love, the offensive line, the wide receivers and cornerbacks, Luke Musgrave or MarShawn Lloyd, we’ll have lots to talk about this year besides Micah Parsons.
It is indeed a team game. Always will be.
Can we start a community fund to send Mike on vacation more often?
Knew I’d find this if I looked hard enough. Major kudos to Wes for taking on the workload he did in my absence, and he penned a great piece on Parsons. I admit it wasn’t easy to miss all the excitement of such a seismic happening, but I appreciate those for and with whom I work understanding family commitments. Happy Monday.