Since quarterback Jordan Love’s rise to stardom just over a year ago, the Green Bay Packers have been on the verge of Super Bowl contention. In January 2024, they narrowly missed securing a spot in the NFC Championship Game. However, this season saw them regress, exiting in the wild-card round against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Despite finishing the regular season ranked sixth in points allowed and fifth in total yards allowed, the team requires some defensive reinforcements. Specifically, they need a top-tier pass rusher to consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks. Jason Reed from FanSided’s Bolt Beat proposed a trade that could bring the Packers a high-risk yet talented pass rusher, Joey Bosa, a five-time Pro Bowler from the Los Angeles Chargers, in exchange for the No. 123 pick in the upcoming NFL draft.
Reed noted that while the Packers have been linked to Khalil Mack, with the Chargers focused on retaining Mack, they might instead trade their other edge rusher, Bosa, to the Packers. Bosa has been a significant impact player on defense. The 29-year-old was named Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2016 and has recorded double-digit sacks in four seasons.
In 2024, he earned his latest Pro Bowl selection, tallying 5.0 sacks, 13 quarterback hits, five tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles. His injury history is a concern, as he’s played 14 or more games in only four seasons, with a total of 14 games in 2022 and 2023 combined. Additionally, he has just one year left on his contract with a $36.47 million cap hit for 2025, making it potentially costly for the Packers to keep him beyond next season.
Nonetheless, Reed argues that Bosa would still be a sensible choice for the team. “This move allows the Packers to temporarily fill the gap while keeping future options open,” Reed wrote. “For a team like Green Bay, it’s preferable to spend the cap space on a one-year gamble rather than committing to multiple years with someone who might not be the right fit.” Rashan Gary and Lukas Van Ness have struggled to generate defensive pressure, so acquiring the injury-prone Bosa might be a worthwhile gamble for Green Bay if the price is right.
