On Tuesday, Brian Gutekunst traded Rasul Douglas and a fifth-round pick to the Buffalo Bills for a 2024 third-round pick. It was a questionable move, given the timing. Douglas has been a reliable, above-average defensive back since Green Bay signed him off the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad in September 2021. That year, Douglas made numerous game-winning plays for the defense. He was arguably the best player on the Packers defense that year.
Green Bay’s defense isn’t bad this year. The offense has put them in undesirable situations, which has made their counting stats look worse than they’ve actually performed. Their run defense has been among the league’s worst, but the secondary has been the team’s best unit.
Why would Gutekunst take from the defense’s strength by trading away proven talent? The Packers traded Douglas after putting Eric Stokes on injured reserve, further thinning out the secondary.
Gutekunst has made some smart moves recently. For example, he re-signed Rashan Gary to a new deal, which is promising. But trading Douglas makes no sense.
Jaire Alexander said he was “pretty surprised, to say the least.”
Defensive back and kick returner Keisean Nixon said that Douglas brought stability to the locker room. “I was really lost for words,” Nixon said. “I understand it’s a business, but I’m still sick to my stomach, honestly.”
Douglas had become integral to Green Bay’s defense. He had only given up 23 receptions while gaining 32 tackles, one interception, and a fumble recovery.
The Packers are playing the 3-5 Los Angeles Rams this weekend, which brings to mind 2021’s game against LA. In the second half of that game, Douglas picked off Matthew Stafford and returned it 34 yards for the score.
The Rams’ receiving corps is a bit different now. They don’t have Odell Beckham Jr., Robert Woods, or Van Jefferson anymore. But they still have Cooper Kupp, who is a top-five receiver in the league.
Kupp has 21 catches for 316 yards and a score this season, but he’s capable of having a breakout game any time. He’s a slot receiver, so don’t expect Alexander to shadow him the entire game. With Stokes out and Douglas gone, look for Nixon and Rudy Ford to line up against Kupp.
Tutu Atwell and Puka Nacua are Stafford’s other primary weapons. Both of them have more receiving yards and scores than Kupp, who missed several games with an injury. The only potential upside to losing your WR1 for a bit is that it forces the quarterback to get more comfortable with other options, which is a silver lining the Rams took full advantage of this season. Stafford won’t be glued to Kupp, he has other guys capable of making plays.
Expect Jaire Alexander to take on Kupp in the slot on some plays but also to cover Atwell and Nacua for most of the game. Ford will most likely be the corner on the side opposite of Alexander, with Nixon as the nickel option.
Douglas’ absence will be an opportunity for some of the young players on the team, guys who the Packers drafted late or went undrafted get an opportunity to prove themselves in the NFL. That’s how Rasul Douglas broke into the league, and some players with potential talent will get an opportunity to follow in his footsteps. That’s the silver lining the Packers will have to cling to as they move forward without one of their most reliable defenders who has given fans several memorable moments in recent years.
