National reporters are emptying their notebooks on the activity from the Green Bay Packers before the NFL’s trade deadline.
According to both Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network and Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Packers “aggressively” attempted to complete a trade for Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller but were unwilling to meet the compensation required by the Raiders.
Per Rapoport and Pelissero, the Packers also contacted the Carolina Panthers about receiver D.J. Moore but were quickly rebuffed.
Reporting from both outlets makes it clear: the Packers’ top option and “primary focus” at the deadline was Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Chase Claypool, who ended up going to the Chicago Bears for a second-round pick.
Schefter reports the Packers were willing to give up a second-round pick and a later-round pick for Claypool, but the Steelers eventually went with the Bears’ offer because the team believes Green Bay will get its season turned around and instead wanted Chicago’s second-rounder.
Instead of landing Claypool, the Packers will now have to face him twice a year.
Getting Waller was always going to be tough considering he signed a new deal in Las Vegas in September, but the Packers had interest in a deal dating back to last offseason.
Per Schefter, the Packers were not interested in Houston Texans receiver Brandin Cooks.
The deadline came and went without the Packers making a deal, meaning Matt LaFleur’s team – now 3-5 after four-straight losses – must get the season back on track without outside help. The quest begins Sunday in Detroit against the Lions, who have lost five-straight games.
