Proposed Trade Sends Packers WR Dontayvion Wicks to Eagles in Potential Offensive Shake-Up
A new offseason trade proposal is stirring conversation across the league, one that would send promising wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks from the Green Bay Packers to the Philadelphia Eagles as the NFC contenders look to reshape their offense. The idea, crafted by Bleacher Report analyst Alex Ballentine, centers on Philadelphia’s growing need for reliable pass-catching depth — especially amid uncertainty surrounding star receiver A.J. Brown’s future.
With the Eagles entering an offseason full of change, the timing of such a trade proposal has ignited significant debate.
The concept gained traction after Philadelphia officially hired former Packers quarterbacks coach Sean Mannion as the team’s new offensive coordinator. Mannion’s familiarity with Wicks provides a natural connection, raising the possibility that he could push for a player he already trusts as he attempts to rebuild Philadelphia’s passing structure.
Given the Eagles’ late-season struggles and offensive inconsistencies, adding a player who already understands aspects of Mannion’s teaching and verbiage could offer immediate benefits.
Ballentine emphasized the financial challenges facing Philadelphia this offseason. The Eagles lack substantial cap space, forcing general manager Howie Roseman to get creative if he hopes to upgrade the offense. “Philadelphia’s offense stalled out in key moments this season,” Ballentine wrote. “Whether they keep A.J. Brown or not, they need more reliable weapons for Jalen Hurts.”
His suggestion frames Wicks as a cost-effective, scheme-friendly addition capable of expanding the team’s receiving options.
The Packers, meanwhile, have one of the deepest, youngest receiving corps in the league. With Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, and Malik Heath all earning meaningful roles, Green Bay’s receiver room has become a competitive environment with limited snaps available.
Trading Wicks, Ballentine argues, could help the Packers create additional cap flexibility while opening a roster spot for emerging talent — all without significantly weakening their depth.
Wicks’ appeal stems from the flashes he has shown early in his NFL career. Drafted 159th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, he impressed as a rookie by recording 39 receptions for 581 yards, showing strong route-running instincts and deep-ball capability. His ability to separate downfield and win contested catches caught the attention of analysts and opposing defensive coordinators alike.
However, his role in Green Bay diminished over the past two seasons as competition increased and the Packers’ offense evolved.
In 2025, Wicks finished with 30 receptions for 332 yards and two touchdowns — useful production, though not enough to cement him as a long-term fixture in the Packers’ crowded receiving landscape. In total, he has logged 108 receptions, 1,328 yards, and 11 touchdowns in his NFL career, suggesting a player who has performed efficiently when given consistent snaps.
His combination of size, burst, and field awareness makes him an intriguing option for a team seeking wideout help at an affordable cost.
For the Eagles, acquiring Wicks would address a critical need. Philadelphia’s offense, once among the most explosive units in the NFL, faltered in high-pressure moments throughout the season. Even with standout targets like Brown and DeVonta Smith, the team struggled to maintain balance and rhythm. Injuries, schematic frustration, and miscommunication plagued their late-season collapse.
Wicks’ addition would not instantly solve all those issues, but he would represent a reliable, ascending piece who complements Smith’s precision and Brown’s physicality — if Brown remains.
Philadelphia’s quarterback, Jalen Hurts, is also entering a crucial stretch of his career. He produced 3,224 passing yards, 25 passing touchdowns, 421 rushing yards, and eight rushing scores last season, but his efficiency dipped and his relationship with previous offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo deteriorated. Reports indicated a disconnect in communication and philosophy, ultimately contributing to Patullo’s dismissal.
Rebuilding the offense around Hurts requires alignment — something Mannion is tasked with creating.
Mannion, who played 14 NFL games across stints with the Rams and Vikings, joined Green Bay’s staff in 2024 before being promoted to quarterbacks coach in 2025. His presence in Philadelphia signals a shift toward a more QB-centric offensive approach, emphasizing timing-based passing, structured reads, and improved route spacing.
Bringing in a receiver already familiar with his style — like Wicks — could ease the transition and boost early offensive cohesion.
Financially, Wicks is also attractive. Still on his rookie contract, he carries minimal cap impact, making him exactly the type of acquisition Roseman targets when cap space is limited. With a potential A.J. Brown trade looming, Philadelphia may soon require multiple wide receivers capable of contributing meaningful snaps at modest cost.
Wicks fits that model perfectly: young, inexpensive, and possessing clear untapped upside.
From the Packers’ perspective, moving Wicks could be framed as an organizational “good problem.” Their receiver room is flush with talent, and the emergence of younger or more versatile players may push Wicks into a rotational role at best. Green Bay’s offense has shifted toward spreading the field, motion-heavy looks, and multiple receiving options — a system that requires precise route spacing and snap-to-snap consistency.
If Wicks doesn’t project as a long-term fit, recouping assets now could be advantageous.
Still, Green Bay won’t give him away lightly. Wicks’ potential and affordable contract add real value. But if the Packers can extract a mid-round pick — or a package offering roster or financial flexibility — the move makes sense within their accelerated development timeline.
A trade partner like Philadelphia, carrying urgency and familiarity with Wicks’ skill set, could provide ideal conditions.
The broader context of Philadelphia’s situation adds more urgency. The Eagles’ 2025 season ended in disappointment, falling to the San Francisco 49ers in the Wild Card round just one year after winning the Super Bowl over the Kansas City Chiefs. Front-office pressure has intensified, expectations remain sky-high, and impatience is growing among fans.
Rebuilding trust in Hurts and restoring offensive rhythm is a top priority entering 2026.
A trade for Wicks would not be a blockbuster move, but it would be a strategic one — the kind Roseman has historically excelled at. Philadelphia has a long history of finding impact players through unconventional avenues: bargain free agents, late-round draft picks, and under-the-radar trades.
Adding a receiver familiar with their new offensive coordinator aligns with this philosophy and offers immediate schematic advantages.
The biggest question remains whether the Packers are willing to part with Wicks now, or whether they will wait until closer to the draft to explore offers. Teams often reassess depth charts once free agency reshapes rosters, meaning Wicks’ trade value could rise as needs become clearer across the league.
Philadelphia’s level of interest may hinge on how negotiations with A.J. Brown unfold — a storyline that could define their entire offseason.
As the 2026 offseason progresses, the proposed trade stands as a logical, potentially impactful move for both organizations. The Eagles desperately need depth and reliability in their receiving corps, while the Packers possess an abundance of young talent at the position and may seek value in exchange for a player whose role has diminished.
Whether the two sides ultimately engage in discussions remains to be seen, but the pieces surrounding a Wicks-to-Philadelphia deal align unusually well.




