Packers linked to trading for former first-round quarterback to backup Jordan Love 1 Dec 3, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) makes a play against the Arizona Cardinals during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

Packers linked to trading for former first-round quarterback to backup Jordan Love

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Matt Lombardo | Last updated Sep 26, 2025 1:50 PM ET

The Packers have few holes on the roster, but upgrading the insurance policy behind quarterback Jordan Love could be a top remaining priority for general manager Brian Gutekunst.

While there likely isn’t a blockbuster trade for Gutekunst to make that would mirror the impact of acquiring Micah Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys, there could be a chance to add quarterback depth.

Could the Packers trade for Kenny Pickett?

USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis points out that Kenny Pickett could be a name to watch, for the Packers to upgrade the backup quarterback spot over Malik Willis.

“Malik Willis carried the Pack in a pinch without Jordan Love last year, but he was hardly asked to operate the offense at a similar level,” Davis wrote Wednesday. “Maybe he’s up to the task now … and maybe Green Bay would be wise to look at a more experienced fallback if, say, Love were to be lost for a six-week stretch.”

Packers linked to trading for former first-round quarterback to backup Jordan Love 2 Jan 8, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) takes the field against the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Pickett won a Super Bowl ring with the Philadelphia Eagles last season, backing up Jalen Hurts, but has accomplished little since being chosen in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

A career-62.4 percent passer with 15 touchdowns to 14 interceptions on his resumè, there is an argument that Pickett’s experience in Philadelphia may have positioned himself to be a viable backup in an offense like LaFleur’s.

However, it remains to be seen how much additional upside upgrading the backup quarterback position would be for a franchise that already traded away its next two first-round picks to acquire Parsons.