A Green Bay Packers offensive lineman was named as a trade target for the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason. The Packers’ offensive line is the most complete unit on the team this season.
If the starting five, especially David Bakhtiari, are healthy this season, the team has enough pieces there they could consider trading an offensive lineman to help fill out other issues with the roster.
Bakhtiari and Jon Runyan Jr. have been logical options for the Packers to trade this offseason. Losing one of those starters isn’t ideal, but the thought is backup offensive tackle Yosh Nijman could be plugged into the right tackle spot. However, Joe Tansey with Bleacher Report thinks Nijman would work a trade piece.
The Green Bay Packers could trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers
Tansey wrote about potential “shocking trade” options the Steelers could go after before the season starts:
“Yosh Nijman has been an integral piece of the Green Bay Packers offensive line for the last few seasons, and he will be trusted with protecting Jordan Love in his first season as starter.
A Nijman trade would shock the Green Bay fanbase because it would significantly weaken a unit led by an unproven signal-caller. There is no guarantee of any success in Green Bay, and that could be the risk the Packers take if they want to recoup a draft pick or two for Nijman on the trade market.
The 27-year-old can play both sides of the offensive line, so he would be a perfect fit on the right side opposite [Broderick] Jones.”
The Steelers traded up to draft Jones with the 14th overall pick in the draft. Their team needs help to protect second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett and has been aggressive in doing so this offseason. Nijman would be an improvement as a pass blocker over the Steelers’ current projected starter at right tackle, Chukwuma Okorafor.
Trading Yosh Nijman would be a major win for the Packers’ front office
Nijman has been an excellent backup for the Packers, as he’s started in 21 games as the team has had to weather injuries to Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins.
While it would be nice to keep him in case something happens to the line this season, the Packers might be better served to get a long-term starter or two in next year’s draft. The Packers signed Nijman as an undrafted free agent in 2019. Trading him for a draft pick would be a significant win for the front office.
