The Green Bay Packers are winning games alright. However, nobody is afraid of their ground attack. Thursday night's 27-19 victory over the Carolina Panthers should have been another reason to celebrate Jordan Love's growing command of the offense. Instead, it exposed a glaring weakness. Green Bay needs more than another week of hoping Josh Jacobs finds running room. Two calculated trades could finally give the Packers the balance they need.
Inescapable rushing problems
The Packers' performance on the ground was anything but convincing. Love completed 30 of 41 passes for 288 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. He helped Green Bay improve to 5-3. However, the Packers managed only 66 rushing yards on 26 attempts. They averaged a miserable 2.5 yards per carry. Jacobs accounted for just 39 yards on 21 carries, although he salvaged his night with a rushing touchdown and a receiving score. The problem extends beyond one disappointing performance. Green Bay entered Week 8 with the NFL's lowest-ranked rushing offense. They were averaging just 59.9 yards per game through seven contests.
The Packers have struggled to generate consistent movement at the line of scrimmage. Injuries have also further complicated their offensive-line rotation. Center Sean Rhyan is expected to miss several weeks with a high ankle sprain. Jacob Monk is also sidelined. Love compensating for a one-dimensional offense is not a sustainable championship formula.
These are two trades the Packers should consider.
Trade target one: Tony Pollard
The first call GM Brian Gutekunst should make is to Tennessee. Tony Pollard is reportedly among the running backs who could be available before the November 10 trade deadline. The Titans' difficult season could create an opening for Green Bay.
Pollard would offer explosive acceleration and the ability to turn a small crease into a significant gain. Through seven games, he has rushed for 478 yards on 112 carries, averaging 4.3 yards per attempt. He has also scored four touchdowns. His 129-yard, three-touchdown performance against Cleveland in Week 7 also demonstrated that he can still take over a game.
Green Bay should offer a 2027 fourth-round pick and a conditional 2028 sixth-round selection for Pollard. The additional pick could improve if he reaches agreed-upon production thresholds.
The appeal is not necessarily replacing Jacobs. Rather, it's about giving Matt LaFleur a more versatile backfield. Pollard can attack the edges and contribute as a receiver. Jacobs could continue handling a substantial workload. Pollard provides a change-of-pace option.
There is one complication, though: Pollard remains valuable to Tennessee, which is still trying to develop quarterback Cam Ward. ESPN's trade analysis has suggested the Titans may be reluctant to remove weapons from their young quarterback's supporting cast. That means Green Bay must make a really convincing offer.
Trade target two: Landon Dickerson
Adding Pollard would help. However, it would not fix the underlying problem if Green Bay continues losing battles along the offensive line. Gutekunst should therefore pursue Philadelphia Eagles guard Landon Dickerson. He has emerged as a potential trade candidate.
Dickerson offers the kind of physical presence Green Bay needs. At 6-foot-6 and 332 pounds, he has the size and experience to create movement in the running game. He cal also provide a sturdier interior pocket for Love. Dickerson has also demonstrated strong pass protection, posting a 93.9% pass-block win rate over his first five seasons.
Article Continues BelowA 2027 fifth-round pick and a conditional 2028 sixth-rounder would be a reasonable starting offer. Philadelphia has reportedly considered moving toward a younger offensive line. Dickerson's long-term situation has also generated questions. Pundits have identified Green Bay as a potential fit, although a trade is far from guaranteed.
On the flip side, Dickerson primarily plays guard, not center. He would not directly replace Rhyan if the Packers need a temporary solution at that position. He also returned recently from an early-season injury. That makes a thorough medical evaluation essential. Still, stabilizing the guard position could improve the blocking around whoever takes over at center.
Two moves to make
The Packers do not need to panic after another ugly rushing performance. That said, the numbers show this problem has persisted long enough to demand attention.
Pollard would add explosiveness, while Dickerson could provide interior strength. Neither acquisition guarantees an elite running game. Still, both would address the personnel and blocking issues undermining the offense. If Green Bay wants to keep pace in the NFC North and make a serious postseason push, these are two deadline calls worth making.