April 4, 2025
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Brian Gutekunst has flipped the script again, trading defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt—Green Bay’s $12 million first-round disappointment—to the Chicago Bears for a sixth-round pick, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Thursday. The move has Packers fans lighting up social media with a storm of fury, relief, and outright disbelief.
Wyatt, 26, arrived as the No. 28 pick in 2022, inking a four-year, $12.86 million fully guaranteed deal (Over The Cap). Hype was high—Packers faithful saw a disruptive heir to Kenny Clark. Instead, he floundered: 5.5 sacks across three seasons, including a projected 2 in 2024 (Packers Wire). With Clark still anchoring and TJ Slaton gone, Wyatt’s lack of impact—averaging under 30% of defensive snaps—left Green Bay cold. “$12M for a ghost? Gutekunst blew it,” one fan raged online.
The trade’s a cap cleanse. Wyatt’s $4.13 million 2025 cap hit departs, leaving just $1.36 million in dead money—a $2.77 million savings (Over The Cap). Chicago, flush with $62 million in cap space after a 7-10 season, takes the gamble. They’ve lost Andrew Billings to age and need youth beside Gervon Dexter (5 sacks in 2024 projection). A sixth-rounder’s peanuts, but Bears GM Ryan Poles sees upside in Wyatt’s athleticism—if he can ignite it.
Packers fans are a house divided. “Gutekunst’s a wizard—dumped a bust!” one post cheered. “A sixth for a first-rounder? Fire him!” another fumed. The deal’s a gut punch to a fanbase expecting Wyatt to anchor the line, not fetch table scraps. Yet, with $47 million in cap room post-Josh Jacobs’ restructure, Gutekunst’s eyeing a bigger prize—perhaps a draft trade-up for Michigan’s Mason Graham (PFF’s top DT).
Wyatt’s tenure ends as a cautionary tale: high picks don’t always pan out. Green Bay sheds a $12 million misfire, gaining flexibility to chase a Super Bowl. Chicago bets on a reclamation project. For Packers Nation, it’s a rollercoaster—relief at cutting losses, fury at the cost. Gutekunst’s dice are rolling, and the faithful are screaming either way.
