Oct 23, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur looks on against the Washington Commanders during the second half at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-
Oct 23, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur looks on against the Washington Commanders during the second half at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
The Green Bay Packers are looking to build off their extremely successful 2023 campaign. Jordan Love and this young Packers offense put on an absolute clinic during the second half of the season. That performance earned them a spot in the divisional round of the playoffs. After falling just three points shy of the NFC Championship game, the Packers are ready to show last year was no fluke.
After the Washington Commanders finished 4-13 last season, they were able to draft quarterback Jaden Daniels in the 2024 NFL Draft. Washington is hopeful that he will be their next franchise quarterback. The Commanders have made the playoffs just twice since 2015. Daniels could change that.
However, could these two teams finally be in business in 2024?
The Green Bay Packers And Washington Commanders Continue To Draw Rumors
Oct 24, 2021; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Washington Football Team defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (93) sacks Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) in the first quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-
Oct 24, 2021; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Washington Football Team defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (93) sacks Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) in the first quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Despite having an abundance of defensive talent, the Packers could gain another experienced veteran if they finally trade for Pro Bowl defensive lineman Jonathan Allen.
Before training camp, Pack-A-Day’s Andy Herman suggested some trades for the Packers on Bleacher Report. There was a trade proposal involving Allen.
Any potential injuries to the Packers’ defensive line led Herman to suggest that Allen would be traded in-season. It may be necessary for the Packers to take a swing at a veteran defensive lineman if a player like Kenny Clark or Devonte Wyatt suffers a season-ending injury.
Will The Packers Make Another Move To Address The Defensive Line?
Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Kenny Clark (97) sacks Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during their football game Sunday, December 17, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Kenny Clark (97) sacks Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during their football game Sunday, December 17, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
Tyler Brooke of Heavy On Packers highlighted what adding Allen could do for this defense:
After a dominant college career almost a decade ago, Allen is now in the prime of his NFL career.
Coming out of high school, Allen was an All-American and 5-star recruit. He could have gone virtually anywhere, but decided to play for Nick Saban at Alabama. His career with the Crimson Tide included a national title, unanimous All-American selection, three first-team All-SEC honors, and the Chuck Bednarik Award for the nation’s top defensive player.
Allen’s dominant college career helped him get drafted early. The Washington Commanders (previously the Redskins) took him with the 17th pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
He took his lumps as a rookie, but quickly developed into a stable presence on Washington’s defense. He’s racked up 382 combined tackles and 39 sacks over eight seasons in the NFL, earning Pro Bowl honors in 2021 and 2022.
Allen is continuing to play at a high level. At just 29 years old, he’s in the middle of a four-year, $72 million contract extension. His contract expires in 2026, however, making him a potential trade piece if Washington decides to rebuild.
Like Andy Herman said, it likely would take a significant injury along the offensive line for the Packers to make a move for someone like Allen.
New defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley will surely implement a multitude of new ways to get after the quarterback.
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