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Latest Green Bay Packers Rumors Could Signal The End For RB Marshawn Lloyd
Jovanny Hernandez / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Green Bay Packers have made their intentions for the 2025 season crystal clear: it’s Super Bowl or bust. After making a blockbuster trade for linebacker Micah Parsons, the front office signaled a willingness to go all-in. Now, with the NFL trade deadline on the horizon, whispers are growing louder that another significant move could be coming, this time to bolster the offensive backfield. These rumors are putting one player’s future directly in the spotlight: running back MarShawn Lloyd.

The Frustrating Wait for MarShawn Lloyd

When the Packers selected MarShawn Lloyd in the third round of the draft, they envisioned a dynamic, home-run threat to complement the punishing, between-the-tackles running style of their star acquisition, Josh Jacobs. Lloyd’s speed and agility were supposed to provide the “lightning” to Jacobs’ “thunder,” giving the offense a versatile one-two punch that could keep defenses off balance.

Unfortunately, that vision has yet to materialize. Lloyd’s time in Green Bay has been defined by his unavailability. Since being drafted, the promising young running back has reportedly missed an astonishing 23 out of a possible 24 games, including playoff contests. This consistent presence on the injury report has prevented him from carving out any meaningful role in the offense and has left a significant hole in the team’s backfield depth chart.

While the Packers have managed to get by, the lack of a reliable RB2 is a glaring weakness for a team with championship hopes. The front office is now faced with a difficult question: how long can they wait for a player who can’t seem to stay on the field?

Why the Packers Are Exploring a Trade

A team in “win-now” mode cannot afford to have question marks at key positions. The Green Bay Packers’ offense is loaded with young talent, but their Super Bowl window is now. Every roster spot is valuable, and relying on an injury-prone player to suddenly become durable is a significant gamble.

Here’s why a trade for a running back makes sense for Green Bay:

  • Reliability is Key: Josh Jacobs is a workhorse, but he can’t carry the entire load for a full season plus a deep playoff run. The Packers need a dependable second option who can spell Jacobs, handle third-down duties, and step in without a drop-off in production if Jacobs were to miss time.
  • Maximizing the Offense: With Jordan Love playing at a high level and a receiving corps full of playmakers, adding another explosive weapon to the backfield could make the offense nearly unstoppable. A proven veteran or an emerging star could provide the spark that Lloyd was supposed to bring.
  • Capitalizing on Cap Space: Despite their aggressive moves, the Packers are in a favorable salary cap position. Much of their core is still on rookie contracts, giving General Manager Brian Gutekunst the flexibility to acquire a player with a larger salary without mortgaging the future.

If the trade rumors are accurate, it signals that the team’s patience has worn thin. A trade would almost certainly place a new player ahead of Lloyd on the depth chart, effectively making him expendable and his future with the team highly uncertain.

Potential Trade Targets for Green Bay

If the Packers decide to pull the trigger, several intriguing names could be available. Teams looking to sell before the deadline may be willing to part with talented running backs for the right price. Some potential targets could include:

  • Jerome Ford (Cleveland Browns): Ford has proven to be a capable back, but the Browns’ backfield is crowded. He offers a good blend of power and receiving ability that would fit well in Green Bay’s system.
  • De’Von Achane (Miami Dolphins): Achane is a true home-run threat with blazing speed. While Miami may be reluctant to trade him, the Packers could make a compelling offer for a player who would perfectly fill the role they envisioned for Lloyd.
  • Alvin Kamara (New Orleans Saints): A proven star, Kamara is one of the best dual-threat running backs in the league. While his contract is significant, the Saints could be looking to move on from older players and acquire draft capital. Kamara would be an immediate, game-changing addition to the Packers’ offense.

Acquiring any of these players would be a clear upgrade and a definitive statement about the team’s intentions this season.

What This Means for MarShawn Lloyd’s Future

For MarShawn Lloyd, the clock is ticking. The trade deadline looms as a critical inflection point for his career in Green Bay. The ideal scenario, of course, is that he returns to practice, proves he can stay healthy, and showcases the explosive talent that made him a third-round pick. A few big plays could be enough to convince the front office to stand pat and trust the depth they have.

However, if he remains sidelined as the deadline approaches, the rumors will only intensify. A trade would be the last straw, signaling that the organization has moved on. Even if no trade materializes, his inability to contribute puts him on thin ice heading into the offseason.

While fans and the organization alike are rooting for Lloyd to succeed, professional football is a results-oriented business. For a team chasing a Lombardi Trophy, potential is meaningless without availability. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether MarShawn Lloyd gets one last chance to prove his worth or if the Packers RB trade rumors are tied to become a reality, closing the book on his short and frustrating tenure in Green Bay.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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