Packers Encouraged To Trade For All-Pro Defensive Lineman Ahead Of Deadline
The Green Bay Packers, coming off what was probably a closer than it should have been win against the Joe Flacco-led Cincinnati Bengals, could start looking to the trade market to find that final missing piece to push the team towards their first Super Bowl championship since 2011.
With some proposing the team find a corner or running back, CBS’ Garrett Podell has a different idea.
In his piece on Wednesday, in which he outlines one trade that each broad Super Bowl contender should make to give them that final push towards a Lombardi Trophy, he pairs Green Bay up with none other than 39-year old veteran defensive tackle, Calais Campbell.
Packers Proposed To Add 39-Year Old Veteran DL
Although the Packers already made a high-profile offseason move for edge rusher, Micah Parsons, giving up two future first round picks in the process – Green Bay could probably use help on the interior alongside Devonte Wyatt, especially after losing Kenny Clark to the Dallas Cowboys in the Parsons trade.
“The Packers’ pass rush has certainly been bolstered by the addition of All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons (29 quarterback pressures in 2025, tied for fourth-most in the NFL) despite the four-time Pro Bowler missing all of training with the Dallas Cowboys in a contract holdout.” Podell wrote. “Green Bay ranks ninth in the NFL quarterback pressure rate (39.8%) and eighth in quarterback pressures (86).
However, the team’s sack numbers could be improved with the Packers’ 12 teams sacks tied for 19th in the NFL and their 5.6% sack rate standing at 20th in the league. Starting defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt’s knee injury in Week 4 at the Cowboys caused him to be ruled out of the Packers’ Week 6 win over the Bengals despite having a Week 5 bye.”
Calais Campbell Has Remained Incredibly Durable In Recent Years
Once an All-Pro caliber player – a recognition that he was selected for three times of course of his monumental now-18 year career – Campbell has remained an exceptionally productive defensive lineman well into his 30s, posting at least five sacks in each of the past three seasons; a feat that is far from a given for a defensive lineman who spends the majority of his time now on the interior.
“Green Bay should bolster the interior of its pass rush by trading for ageless wonder and six-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Calais Campbell. His Arizona Cardinals are off to a 2-4 start, and Campbell is 39 years old. It doesn’t make any sense for him to waste what could be his 18th and final NFL season on a team that appears doomed to miss the postseason.
Acquiring Campbell could create more knock back for the Packers in the middle of the line of scrimmage while Wyatt is out, thus creating more sack opportunities for Parsons, Pro Bowl edge rusher Rashan Gary and others. This is an inexpensive trade that Green Bay general manager Brian Gutekunst should make.”
Adding a strong, winning veteran presence to the locker room; especially one who has remained incredibly durable over the latter course of his career, starting every game dating back to the start of the 2023 season; can only be a good thing for a Packers defense that otherwise has sky-high potential.
Jalen Carter delivers definitive verdict on return status for Eagles vs. Vikings
There has been an overwhelming amount of concern when it comes to Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter.
It all started with his ejection from the season-opening win against the Dallas Cowboys after spitting at Dak Prescott. Then, there were reports of Carter dealing with a shoulder injury throughout the season. The 2025 campaign for Carter hit an all-time low in Week 6 when he was a last-second scratch from the loss to the New York Giants with a new heel injury.
The chips seem stacked against Carter as he has not played at the Pro Bowl level that Eagles fans saw in 2024. It has been mostly a down season for the defensive tackle.
After coming back from the mini bye week, it appears there is a different feel for Carter. He spoke with the media in front of his locker as he made it crystal clear whether he would be out on the field for the Eagles' Week 7 showdown against the Minnesota Vikings.
“I’m going to play this week.”
Eagles need Carter to have the best game of his 2025 season to win
The stats for Carter in 2025 are not going to impress Eagles fans. In four games, he has 10 tackles and six quarterback hits, which ranks fourth among defensive tackles. One other stat where he has done a good job is in pressures, with 15, ranking 18th among defensive tackles in the NFL.
Everyone points out the fact that he hasn't gotten to the quarterback yet this season, but remember, he only had 4.5 last year as well, and still dominated. As a defensive tackle, he doesn't always have to get sacks. As long as he is creating pressures and stopping the run, he's doing his job.
That's the part of his game the Eagles missed in the 34-17 loss to the Giants: stopping the run. Carter does a good job of clogging those running lanes, preventing running backs from running through them. New York was able to do that easily on the Eagles for 172 yards.
Read more: Eagles dip into Patriots castoff basket for 2 new signings to practice squad
It's certainly been far from a perfect season, but Carter is still one of the elite defensive tackles in the NFL and is due for his bounce-back game. Don't be surprised if it comes against Minnesota.
