Recently, there has been a rumor spreading that the Packers will offer a package to the Patriots to acquire the 15th overall pick in the upcoming draft. That trade package consists of Green Bay parting with QB Jordan Love, their 2021 first-round pick, and their 2021 fourth-round pick. Now, this was “leaked” on Twitter, so this should be taken with a grain of salt. However, it will be interesting to see how this move could benefit each side. I believe that this hypothetical trade could be a true win-win for both teams.
During the 2020 draft, the Packers made one of the most baffling selections in recent memory, as they selected Utah State QB Jordan Love. This move confused many for multiple reasons. For one, the Packers have Aaron Rodgers, one of the greatest quarterbacks in history, under contract until 2024. To make things worse, Rodgers was the best QB last season, taking home MVP honors. There was absolutely no need for a quarterback, so why take a QB when there were huge needs at other positions?
The Packers also traded up to pick 26 to select Love, leapfrogging the Seahawks, Ravens, and Titans. Seattle had Russell Wilson, a top quarterback at the time, Baltimore has Lamar Jackson, who was the reigning MVP, and Tennessee had Ryan Tannehill, who was able to resurrect his career with the Titans in 2019. Each team in front of the Packers were not going to select Love, so why couldn’t the Packers just stay at 30?
The pick was bad, and it seems like the Packers are ready to admit that. Trading Love would signify that the Packers are accepting their mistake from last draft, and that they are trying to make up for it. Trading up to the 15th pick would give the Packers a much better chance to fill their needs. For a team like the Packers, who came so close to the Super Bowl in back to back years, they’ll need to fill their holes, and a top-15 selection would certainly help them do it.
Now moving on to the Patriots. Their reign of terror over the NFL came to a screeching halt when Tom Brady departed to Tampa Bay. Bill Belichick and the 7-9 Patriots missed the playoffs, while Tom lead the Buccaneers all the way to a Super Bowl victory against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Once Brady left, the Patriots decided to fill their need at QB by signing former MVP Cam Newton. There were high expectations for Newton, as many expected him to compete for the league’s Comeback Player of the Year award. However, Newton fell way short of expectations, throwing just 8 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Newton’s season started hot, but his promising start to the season came to an abrupt stop.
Many people, including me, thought New England would move away from Newton after his disappointing season. However, they brought him back on another 1-year contract. Barring an amazing season, he’ll be nothing more than a bridge QB, while Belichick searches for the next franchise quarterback.
Sitting at 15th overall, the Patriots were heavily involved in the QB market. However, with the huge demand for quarterbacks in the draft, the Patriots could end up missing out. The first three picks will undoubtedly be quarterbacks. Trevor Lawrence going to Jacksonville 1st overall has been a done deal since the Jets fumbled the pick away. The Jets selecting BYU’s Zach Wilson is nearly a lock as well. At 3rd overall, the 49ers will be choosing either Justin Fields, Trey Lance, or Mac Jones.
Aside from the first 3 picks, teams like Atlanta ( 4th overall), and Denver (9th overall) could have their eyes on quarterbacks too. Washington (19th overall), and Chicago (20th overall) could also trade up to jump New England, and select a QB if one starts to fall out of the top 10. I think I’ve made the point that it’s unlikely that a top QB falls to the Patriots. If a quarterback does start to fall, other teams could be desperate to move up and select them.
If New England is sitting at 15th, and each of the top 5 quarterbacks are off the board, I could certainly see them accepting this trade. Will Jordan Love be the Patriots franchise quarterback? Who knows? He hasn’t taken a single snap in the NFL, so we can’t write him off at all. In addition to getting Love, their potential franchise QB, the Patriots are getting two additional picks.
Overall, this trade could be a win-win for both sides. The Packers would be moving up significantly, putting themselves in a position to address one of their most pressing needs. For New England, they could be finding their future at quarterback.
