The Green Bay Packers have a chance to make a splash move early this offseason. According to multiple reports, the Packers are interested in trading for Dee Ford.
Ford recently had the franchise tag placed on him by the Kansas City Chiefs. Although, the Chiefs have reportedly been taking offers for Ford.
The Packers should absolutely seize the opportunity to trade for the Chiefs outside linebacker. One of Green Bay's biggest needs this offseason is an edge rusher. Clay Matthews is an unrestricted free agent with the consensus saying he will move on to a new team in 2019. This would leave a void on the edge, which Ford could fill easily.
The Chiefs are switching to a 4-3 defensive scheme under defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. Thus, taking offers for someone like Ford makes sense.
Ford has started for the Chiefs at outside linebacker since 2015. Since then, he has wreaked havoc on defenses with 29 sacks, 36 tackles for loss, and nine forced fumbles.
He has benefitted from having someone like Justin Houston to mentor him. Ford had his best year in 2018, where he had 13 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, and seven forced fumbles.
The talented outside linebacker was part of a Chiefs defense that was tied for the league-high in sacks with 52. Ford had 25 percent of his team's sacks this past season—showing how important he is.
That level of production is why Ford is a highly coveted player in the NFL. At 27 years old, Ford is hitting his prime years as a pass rusher.
The Packers would be wise to snatch up someone like Ford before he could possibly hit the open market in 2020. It's unknown what the Chiefs are looking for in return for Ford's services.
He is playing on the franchise tag in 2019, which means he is playing on a one-year, $15.4 million deal. The Packers could try to re-sign him in 2020 if they acquired him or work out an extension with him soon after acquiring him.
Nonetheless, trading for the Chiefs outside linebacker is a win-win situation. As a result, the Packers would either find their pass rusher for the future or receive compensation if he leaves.
Green Bay could also cut Nick Perry this offseason, making an edge rusher an absolute priority. The Packers will need someone to play alongside Kyler Fackrell then.
Fackrell impressed in 2018, where he amassed 10.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss. Adding Ford on the other side of Fackrell could be a formidable duo for the foreseeable future.
In today's NFL, it is as important as ever to have a player who specializes in getting to the quarterback. The Packers lack a guy they can consistently rely upon.
In the NFC North, you have Khalil Mack for the Chicago Bears and Danielle Hunter for the Minnesota Vikings. Likewise, Green Bay should find its elite sack artist.
After missing the playoffs the last two seasons, this offseason is crucial for the Packers. They hired Matt LaFleur to replace Mike McCarthy and are expecting results sooner rather than later.
A guy who could immediately produce results for the defense is Dee Ford. As a result, trading for Ford should be a move that the Packers capitalize on.
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