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The Green Bay Packers have become an intriguing team to watch ahead of the November 10 trade deadline, with speculation linking them to Arizona Cardinals pass rusher Josh Sweat. This potential move has an unusual connection to the Micah Parsons trade, as Dallas is also being mentioned as a possible destination for Sweat while Green Bay awaits Parsons’ return from a knee injury.
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Additionally, the Packers are facing another defensive setback ahead of Sunday’s NFC North matchup against Detroit. Linebacker Zaire Franklin has been ruled out due to a shin injury sustained during practice, joining Edgerrin Cooper on the list of unavailable starters. Fortunately, head coach Matt LaFleur does not expect Franklin’s absence to require a stint on injured reserve.
Currently at 4-2, Green Bay has valid reasons to explore reinforcements for a roster that has successfully navigated significant injuries while winning three consecutive games. General manager Brian Gutekunst has already made several personnel changes, and the upcoming deadline could provide an opportunity to recover valuable resources from an offensive position where responsibilities have become increasingly concentrated.
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Veteran tight end Jonnu Smith is the player the Packers should consider trading before November 10, provided another team is willing to offer meaningful compensation for his experience.
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Smith arrived in Green Bay shortly before the regular season, signing a one-year contract in August after spending the previous season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. His addition made sense at the time, especially since Tucker Kraft was recovering from a serious knee injury and Luke Musgrave was unavailable due to a neck issue. The Packers were looking for another experienced receiving option who could contribute from various alignments.
Smith brought that experience, having earned Pro Bowl recognition with Miami in 2024 after recording 88 receptions for 884 yards and eight touchdowns. His ability to work from the slot, backfield, and traditional tight end positions provided head coach Matt LaFleur with a versatile option while Green Bay assessed the health of its established contributors, but in the first six games, Smith’s role has been considerably smaller than expected. He has appeared in four games, catching five passes for 85 yards but has yet to score a touchdown. His most notable performance was in the season opener against Minnesota, where he made two receptions for 50 yards, including a 43-yard gain.
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Since that game, Smith’s opportunities have diminished as Kraft has established himself as the primary receiving threat at the tight end position. Additionally, Green Bay’s offense has become more comfortable integrating its younger wide receivers, particularly Matthew Golden, whose development has provided quarterback Jordan Love with another reliable option. The Packers have benefited from these adjustments, winning three consecutive games and showing greater offensive consistency after a challenging start to the season.
Although Smith remains capable of contributing when needed, the gap between his previous production and his current role raises a reasonable opportunity for general manager Brian Gutekunst to evaluate the trade market. An organization facing tight end injuries might find his receiving experience valuable, especially if it requires someone who can operate in multiple formations. While moving Smith would sacrifice useful depth, the potential return could be worth considering while he still has a recognizable résumé and an expiring contract.
The Packers’ decision will ultimately depend on the level of confidence they have in the depth behind Kraft. The fourth-year tight end has returned from his knee injury in 2025 and has resumed a central role in LaFleur’s offense, providing Love with a reliable target through the middle of the field. Kraft’s development has allowed Green Bay to create favorable passing opportunities without spreading significant receiving responsibilities among multiple tight ends. This focus has reduced the immediate importance of Smith’s receiving ability, even though the veteran continues to offer valuable experience that would be difficult to replace with an inexperienced backup.
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Mark Redman has also provided another option since he arrived from the Los Angeles Rams in an August trade. Green Bay acquired him for a 2028 seventh-round selection, valuing his physical blocking ability and willingness to take on traditional in-line assignments. Additionally, Josh Whyle remains on the roster, giving the coaching staff more personnel options for formations that require multiple tight ends. These players each bring different qualities, allowing LaFleur to design offensive packages tailored to specific assignments while Kraft handles a significant portion of the passing game responsibilities.
Musgrave’s ongoing absence complicates the situation, as Green Bay cannot assume that another tight end will be available immediately if needed. The organization will need to assess Musgrave’s recovery and evaluate whether the remaining healthy players can take on Smith’s responsibilities before making any decisions.
Trading an experienced backup during a playoff race carries additional risks, especially when the starter has recently returned from a major injury. Therefore, Gutekunst should set a meaningful asking price instead of trading Smith just because his receiving statistics have declined. The Packers invested in him as insurance against injuries, and that insurance remains valuable as the schedule becomes more demanding. A trade may become appealing if another team is willing to offer compensation that outweighs the potential challenges Green Bay could face if Kraft suffers further setbacks.
The strongest argument for exploring a trade involving Za’Darius Smith arises from the injuries currently impacting Green Bay’s defensive lineup. Cooper’s Achilles injury has sidelined one of the Packers’ most promising linebackers for the rest of the season, while Franklin’s unexpected absence adds to the challenges they face against Detroit. Isaiah McDuffie and Ty’Ron Hopper are expected to take on larger roles, with Nick Niemann also available to contribute. This situation could accelerate the development of Green Bay’s younger defenders, but relying on an inexperienced rotation becomes increasingly difficult when facing opponents with strong rushing attacks and versatile receiving threats. Detroit poses exactly such a challenge, with Jahmyr Gibbs capable of contributing both as a runner and a receiver.
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Additionally, the Packers have experienced significant injuries along the defensive line, including the loss of Javon Hargrave to an Achilles injury. These absences heighten the urgency of identifying reliable contributors who can handle various assignments within Jonathan Gannon’s defensive scheme. Green Bay has already been linked to potential pass-rushing acquisitions, including Sweat, whose previous experience with Gannon makes the possibility intriguing. The eventual return of Parsons would also greatly enhance the defense, but his rehabilitation process must be carefully considered when assessing the additional help the defense might need.
Acquiring valuable draft compensation for Smith could improve Green Bay’s flexibility in trade discussions. A midseason trade involving a veteran tight end is unlikely to yield enough value to secure a notable defensive starter on its own, but an additional draft pick could either become part of a larger trade package or serve as a resource for future roster construction.
So, Green Bay’s recent success has established a promising foundation as the season progresses, especially with Josh Jacobs returning to an offense that struggled to generate consistent rushing production during his absence.
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Jordan Love has also benefited from the improvement of receivers like Romeo Doubs and the continued involvement of established options, which gives head coach Matt LaFleur greater flexibility in constructing the passing attack. This offensive progress allows general manager Brian Gutekunst to evaluate the roster without feeling pressured to acquire another playmaker simply because one becomes available.
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