The Green Bay Packers enter their Week Six Bye Week at 2-3. While many predicted this would be the team’s record going into the bye, there are some grave concerns about the team, primarily on offense. While growing pains were expected, what is concerning is that the offense has no identify whatsoever.

Part of the problem has been the injury to Aaron Jones. His absence since injuring his hamstring in Week One coincided with the gradual descent of Packers’ offense. After putting up 38 points in Week One with Jones playing [almost] the whole game, Green Bay has averaged just 19 points per game.

In Jones’ absence, the running game has also struggled to positively contribute. While many fans have pointed the finger at AJ Dillon, it is important to understand that the Packers’ offensive line has not been blocking well in the run game. At all.

While many believe that the Packers could use a veteran high-profile wide receiver to help spark the offense, the fact of the matter is that they really need an offensive lineman who can help spring the running backs. As it happens, the Denver Broncos have placed one on the trading block.

The Green Bay Packers Should Trade for Offensive Tackle Garett Bolles

Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report listed the 10 players that are most likely to be traded ahead of the deadline. On his list, he names tackle Garett Bolles of the Broncos as one of the most likely candidates.

A Second-Team All-Pro in 2020, Bolles has experience playing left tackle and right tackle. Since David Bakhtiari went down for the rest of the season, 2022 seventh round pick Rasheed Walker has struggled to replace him. While Bolles is no Bakhtiari, he is an adept pass blocker and would immediately become the best run blocker on the team.

Why Do the Green Bay Packers Need Garett Bolles?

To put it plainly, there is only one starting offensive lineman on the Packers’ roster who has a positive run blocking grade, per PFF. That is right tackle Zach Tom. The current run blocking grades for the starting offensive line is as follows:

• Zach Tom: 75.7
• Elgton Jenkins: 61.2
• Josh Myers: 52.5
• Jon Runyan: 44.6
• Rasheed Walker: 43.8

For his part, Bolles has a PFF run blocking grade of 74.5.

Run blocking aside, Bolles would also be a superior pass blocker than most of the Packers’ starting offensive linemen. According to PFF, the Packers’ starting linemen have pass blocking grades of:

• Rasheed Walker: 76.6
• Zach Tom: 76.6
• Josh Myers: 71.0
• Jon Runyan: 68.6
• Elgton Jenkins: 56.1

Bolles has a pass blocking grade of 74.0

As one can see, Walker is an adept pass blocker, but is a woeful run blocker. Adding Bolles to their line would improve the run blocking immensely. At the same time, it would ensure there is no real drop off in pass protection.

Who or What Could the Green Bay Packers Trade for Garett Bolles?

While draft picks are normally thrown around as compensation in trades, the Packers may also look to move swing tackle Yosh Nijman. Bolles is under contract until the end of the 2024 season and will carry a $20 million cap hit next year. Nijman, on the other hand, is on a one-year $3 million deal that he signed as a restricted free agent.

For whatever reason, Nijman has struggled to see the field so far this season, even though the offensive line has struggled. While no one outside of 1265 Lombardi Avenue knows the reason why Nijman is in the Packers’ doghouse, it is clear that he does not have a future in Green Bay.

Including Nijman in a trade along with a Day Three draft pick may be enough to convince Denver to part with Bolles.

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