Wicks’ Extension Proves the Packers Were Wise To Trade Him

The writing was on the wall at wide receiver this offseason in Green Bay. With four main contributors all on expiring deals over the next two years combined, there was bound to be turnover.

General manager Brian Gutekunst moved a piece on the chessboard last week when he traded Dontayvion Wicks to the Philadelphia Eagles. And, based on the extension Wicks the Eagles gave him, it was the right move.

Romeo Doubs was the first domino to fall at wide receiver for the Packers. One of Jordan Love's most reliable targets the past three seasons, Doubs left in free agency to sign with the New England Patriots. With Doubs off to catch passes from Drake Maye, Gutekunst still had Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and Wicks all entering the final year of their deals. Not to mention that tight ends Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgrave are also in the final year of their rookie contracts.

So nobody should have been surprised that Doubs won’t be the only Packers pass catcher wearing different colors next season. Wicks was very productive as the WR4 over the last three years. Whenever he rose up the depth chart in spot duty, Wicks did just fine. However, following the trade for Wicks, the Eagles forked over a one-year extension worth $12.5 million.

The Packers were never going to do that.

Gutekunst and Co. need to figure out the framework of extensions for Watson and Kraft first. After that, they might also find a way to keep Reed in the building. Musgrave may be playing his last year in Green Bay after fumbling most of his opportunities, including being elevated to the TE1 spot after Kraft tore his ACL last year.

The Wicks extension is great for him and good for the Eagles. It's an insurance policy in case they end up trading the tempestuous A.J. Brown. But that price tag wouldn't have made sense for Green Bay, considering Wicks' spot on the depth chart.

Watson tops the WR depth chart, and the Packers just gave him a one-year extension last September for $13 million. Paying Wicks almost an identical price for a reserve role never added up. It works for Philadelphia, but not Green Bay.

Wicks never exceeded 39 receptions in a single season. The Eagles are banking on him taking a bigger role with more opportunities in Sean Mannion's offense. We don’t have the inside scoop about who exactly expressed dissatisfaction in the NFLPA report cards back in March, but head coach Matt LaFleur addressed his poor grades from his own players last month, and it’s a grip Wicks might’ve had.

Per LaFleur:

Wicks has never been named among the guys upset about his role, but given his promise when given opportunities, it's hard not to think he wouldn't want more of the spotlight.

Forking over $12.5 million for a WR4 isn't good business. Still, it's also true that in most other offenses, Wicks would be higher in the pecking order. He just wasn't in Green Bay, sitting behind Watson, Doubs, and Reed, while the Packers spent a first-round pick on Matthew Golden and brought in Savion Williams.

So Gutekunst did what he deemed best, sending Wicks to the Eagles for a fifth-round pick this year and a sixth-round pick next year. ESPN's Ben Solak gave the Packers an A for the trade.

The work at wide receiver is not done yet. An extension for Watson, who was essentially on a prove-it deal last year coming off an ACL tear, should be in the works. Kraft should have something in place, too, despite coming off a torn ACL of his own. The exits of Doubs and Wicks sting, but there was no world where this entire group was going to stick around. There was also no way Gutekunst was going to pay Wicks $12.5 million for a reserve role.

It's not fun seeing Wicks go, but it was the right move for Green Bay.