It's Week 8, and ladies and gentlemen, your Packers are sitting at a "modest" 4-1-1. I know everyone is in a tizzy as the Packers go on the road to see former friend/arch-nemesis Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers, hoping that Matt LaFleur has finally prepared his team for a road trip (he does tend to do better when they travel east, just not west).

But after six games, the Packers don't seem nearly as dominant as they were those first two weeks. What happened? Well, tape for one, and injuries for two. The NFL is starting to find a way to stymie the Packers, and it all begins with the secondary, followed by the offensive line. 

It's become evident that a healthy and thriving Devonte Wyatt, plus a healthy dose of Micah Parsons, has given the secondary a little bit of relief. Still, as we've seen over the last three weeks, when opposing quarterbacks have time to throw, Packers fans are biting their nails once the ball is in the air. In the previous two weeks, Joe Flacco and Jacoby Brissett have posted 90.9 and 110.8 passer ratings, respectively. So what's Aaron Rodgers going to do against this secondary Sunday night? Is that sinking feeling setting in yet? Nate Hobbs has been underwhelming, and for whatever reason, the team has been hesitant to allow Carrington Valentine to see more action. Keisean Nixon has been holding his own on the boundary, so do Hobbs/Valentine look not as good because they're being targeted so much? Maybe. But it still shouldn't look as bad as it does.

The offensive line has been steady, but not necessarily solid at times (which is probably more coaching than player performance). But some rotations seem to be a bit more uneven than others. Aaron Banks still seems like a miss given the contract he signed, and the constant switcheroo between him and Jordan Morgan is frustrating; Sean Rhyan is getting sprinkled in, too. Sometimes it's great, and other times not so much. Offensive line play is all about rhythm, and making changes to essential cogs is disruptive to say the least.

So what do you do? Get aggressive. The Packers have had their bye week, and the coaches and front office should know by now what they have in their team. Is it enough to make the playoffs? Absolutely. Enough to win the division? A sweep of the Lions should guarantee that. But to make it all the way to the big game? Questionable. 

So let's get aggressive; after all, the Packers have been aggressive all year. A wide receiver in the 1st Round in Matthew Golden and trading for the best edge rusher in the league in Micah Parsons. To fall short of even a Super Bowl appearance seems criminal. Draft picks and salary cap be damned, make the move! I don't expect the Packers to add another offensive lineman (but never say never, given their current depth). Still, a cornerback to shore up this secondary is definitely for the taking. 

There are many players rumored to be moved, and the Packers would be foolish not to make some calls. I did a little digging and found some players who could be reasonably acquired that could shore up the Packers' leaky pass defense.

1. Sign Beanie Bishop Jr. from the Steelers' Practice Squad

Beanie Bishop Jr. had a promising rookie season in 2024 (4 INTs) due to Pittsburgh's string of injuries in the secondary, but after the Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay signings, he's been relegated to the Practice Squad. He's a little undersized at 5'9 or 5'10, but so is Keisean Nixon and nobody's complaining. I'm not sure whose roster spot he's taking *cough* Jacob Monk *cough*, but give Beanie a couple of weeks to adjust to Hafley's scheme, which suits him better and also allows him to think less compared to Teryl Austin's complicated design, and he should do well for the Packers. I don't think he's nickel only given his size, and even if so, I still don't like Javon Bullard out there (although I have to admit he's been killing it).

2. Packers trade for Saints CB Alontae Taylor

Taylor is a rising star in New Orleans and in a contract year. The Saints are in cap hell thanks to Mickey Loomis, so Taylor is guaranteed to go somewhere else for a payday. The Saints are chocked full of expensive veterans and will likely be sellers next week to shed some of that cap and get younger. The Saints have so many holes it's hard to say what they'll ask for in return. But if the Packers just wanted to give up a pick, it's likely a 4th Rounder, which Gutekunst spends like Chuck E. Cheese tokens

3. Packers trade for Seahawks CB Tariq Woolen

It's been suggested for a while now, and it might be time to make it happen. Woolen has struggled mightily in Mike Macdonald's exotic zone-blitz defense. Rumor has it that Woolen could be let go for a conditional 5th Round Pick that could be upgraded for a 4th Rounder. If GM Brian Gutekunst is hesitant to give up more draft capital, he could go player for player. The Seahawks are looking for more help in the edge department, and I can't think of a better piece than Kingsley Enagbare. He's gotten buried on the depth chart and is also in the last year of his contract. I'm almost certain the Packers are going to let him walk, so why not get something back for him now? If I were Gutekunst, I'd ask for a 5th or 6th Rounder in return to sweeten the deal.

4. Packers trade for Dolphins CB Rasul Douglas

Brian Gutekunst has been talking to the Dolphins about a trade, although it's not for Douglas but for an offensive player. The Dolphins are all but a few games away from pushing the hard reset. They're going to need draft capital while also shedding some cap. I'm sure Rasul never thought he'd be part of a team that's currently 1-6, but here he is. The Packers, whom he's pined after since his trade to Buffalo would be a welcome change of scenery. I am not sure what Douglas' commands at this point in his career, but the Dolphins are looking for a tight end opposite Darren Waller. I don't think ol' Gutey is ready to give up on Luke Musgrave just yet, but he fits what the Dolphins might be looking for. The Packers may have to send a late Day 3 pick the other way but to ger Rasul back on the squad is worth it.

5. Packers trade for Broncos CB Ja'Quan McMillan

The Broncos have been searching for a complementary wide receiver since they shipped Jerry Jeudy to Cleveland, which is currently a strength for the Packers. Christian Watson is trying to get ready for the Steelers, and if he's a scratch Sunday night, he'll undoubtedly be prepared to go for the Panthers in Week 8. Jayden Reed will probably come back later in the season as well. That means a lot fewer targets for Dontayvion Wicks and Malik Heath. Wicks is the more premium player, in my opinion, and the Broncos are stacked in the secondary. Could this work straight up? Possibly. Vance Joseph runs a stout-man cover scheme over there, so McMillan will be ready to go from the start.

6. Packers trade for Titans CB Roger McCreary

Another trade that's been mentioned recently, McCreary isn't stellar, but he's solid. I doubt the veteran wants to stick around for the Titans' rebuild. His trade value is rumored to be a 6th Rounder, but I wouldn't want to give that up. The Titans do need receivers, just like the Broncos, with Calvin Ridley being boom-or-bust, and Tyler Lockett granted his release request. I think a trade for Malik Heath straight up would work without costing the Packers a pick.

7. Packers trade for Bengals CB Cam Taylor-Britt

Taylor-Britt was inactive for the Bengals loss against the Steelers, as they seem ready to move on. Taylor-Britt has struggled recently, and like Eric Stokes could use a fresh change of scenery (too soon?). The Packers could possibly steal Taylor-Britt for a 5th or 6th Rounder. The Bengals are looking for edge and linebacker help.with Trey Hendrickson all but gone after 2025, but they're going to have to pay up if they want Enagbare. I'd ask for a 5th Round Pick in the deal myself.

8. Packers trade for Giants CB Deonte Banks

The former 2023 25th Overall Pick has been unplayable for the Giants, and likely needs a fresh start. Coming out of Maryland, Banks had everything you could want in a franchise corner....what happened? He's played a little under 29% of all defensive snaps this season, so the New York won't miss him much. Big Blue is also looking for receiver help due to the Malik Nabers injury. Enter Wicks who is probably their #2 guy off rip. And you know what? I'm going to throw in Jacob Monk and a 2027 7th as well to get Evan Neal in return. Neal was the 7th Overall Pick out of Alabama in '22, but was converted to guard due to poor play on the outside. The Packers love converted guards, and after this preseason, Monk is probably headed for the dustbin. Why not kick the tires on a former Top 10 pick and see if it pans out?

The NFL trade deadline is Nov 4th at 4pm est. The Packers SHOULD make a move to shore up the secondary, but will they? Gutekunst and the front office have been aggressive all year; the time to play it safe is over—strap in, folks, for a nerve-wracking week. If Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf can't show them they need help on the boundary, nobody can.

#GPG