Packers linked to blockbuster trade for 11-touchdown wide receiver
The Packers have solid wide receiver depth, but are still looking for a true No. 1 target to emerge.
While first-round rookie Matthew Golden continues to flash explosiveness and gain quarterback Jordan Love’s confidence, and Christian Watson could be about to return in the coming weeks, there’s a reason nearly 20 percent of the Packers’ passing game funnels through tight end Tucker Kraft.
Kraft is simply the Packers’ most reliable and prolific pass catcher, as the depth at receiver has yet to produce the kind of star power Green Bay would like to see.
Could the Packers trade for Chris Olave?
With the trade deadline looming, and after already acquiring Micah Parsons in a blockbuster trade in exchange for two first-round picks and Kenny Clark, general manager Brian Gutekunst and the Packers could be aggressive to add a piece on offense.
While the Packers’ offensive line has been wildly inconsistent through the first four games, as it battles injuries along the interior, Sports Illustrated argues that a playmaking wide receiver could be on Gutekunst and Green Bay’s radar.
Gilberto Manzano of Sports Illustrated suggests Chris Olave could be a perfect fit for the Packers.
“Yes, the Packers put up 40 points on the Cowboys,” Manzano writes. “But that same defense also allowed 37 points to the Giants in Week 2 and 31 points to the Bears in Week 4. Green Bay’s offensive concerns didn’t just go away because it gained a tie against Dallas’s bad defense.
“Jordan Love needs another reliable playmaker, especially with Jayden Reed sidelined due to injury and rookie Matthew Golden still finding his footing in the NFL. A trade for Olave would stretch the field for Love and extend the playbook for coach Matt LaFleur. Olave has 26 catches for 184 yards and one touchdown this season.”
Olave would simultaneously represent a true No. 1 wide receiver for the Packers, but could be more of a luxury piece for an offense that already has loads of young talent at the position.
Through his first four seasons, Olave has caught 217 passes for 2,750 yards and 11 touchdowns, and while trading for such a dynamic playmaker would be tempting, it is fair to wonder how much more the former Ohio State standout would add in an offense that is looking for targets for Golden and seems to be featuring Romeo Doubs frequently and at a high level.
If the Packers try to pull off this trade, as constructed in exchange for a second-round pick, Green Bay wouldn’t go on the clock until Round 3 next spring. That is a significant amount of draft capital to have given up for a pair of players, even of Parsons’ and Olave’s caliber.
Reunion: Saints Sign WR Back To Practice Squad
The New Orleans Saints added another piece to the practice squad on Thursday.
This time, the player coming through the door was wide receiver Dante Pettis, as shared by the team.
Aug 14, 2025; Carson, CA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Dante Pettis (17) during a joint practice against the Los Angeles Rams at the Dignity Health Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
"New Orleans Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis announced today that the club has signed wide receiver Dante Pettis to the practice squad," the Saints announced. "Pettis, 6-2, 200, was originally selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round (44th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Washington.
"The San Clemente, Calif. native has played in 58 career games with 19 starts for the 49ers (2018-20), New York Giants (2020-21), Chicago Bears (2022) and Saints (2024), recording 83 receptions for 1,104 yards (13.3 avg.) and 13 touchdowns, along with three carries for 35 yards. He has also completed both of his pass attempts for 32 yards. In 2025, Pettis spent the offseason with New Orleans and participated in training camp.
"On special teams, Pettis has returned 38 punts for 294 yards (7.7 avg.) and four kickoffs for 114 yards (28.5 avg.). In 2024, Pettis joined the Saints practice squad in Week Seven and appeared in the club's final eight games, catching 12 passes for 120 yards with one touchdown and caught one two-point conversion. As the Black and Gold's primary returner, he brought back seven punts for 90 yards (12.9 avg.), including a career-long 53-yard runback, and returned three kickoffs for 96 yards (32.0 avg.). Pettis' contributions in 2024 helped the Black and Gold's punt return unit rank fifth in the NFL for return average (12.5)."
Pettis is someone who has been signed and released by the Saints already. Throughout his NFL career so far, he's played in games for the San Francisco 49ers, New York Giants, Chicago Bears, and the Saints. Now, he's back with the franchise on the practice squad. But, for how long? The practice squad has been a revolving door with players coming and going all season. Now, it's Pettis coming to town but how long until the next move?
