April 19, 2025
GREEN BAY, Wis. – A stunning trade proposal has surfaced, with the Green Bay Packers and Buffalo Bills discussing a blockbuster swap of star running backs Josh Jacobs and James Cook, sources told ESPN Friday. The bold deal, pitched by NFL insiders, aims to reshape both offenses as the 2025 NFL Draft nears.
Jacobs, a 27-year-old Pro Bowler, led the Packers with 1,329 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns in 2024 (NFL.com). His $14 million cap hit and $48 million deal through 2027 spark talks amid Green Bay’s WR woes (Over The Cap). Cook, Buffalo’s 25-year-old speedster, countered with 1,009 yards and 16 scores, earning Pro Bowl nods (ESPN).
The Packers, stung by an 11-6 wild-card exit, see Cook’s 4.42-second 40-yard dash as a dynamic fit for Matt LaFleur’s scheme, pairing him with rookie Jordan James (web ID: 6). Buffalo, craving power, views Jacobs’ 737 yards after contact as a long-term anchor for Josh Allen’s attack (PFF).
Gutekunst, Green Bay’s GM, rarely makes splashy trades, but Christian Watson’s ACL injury pushes him to act (The Athletic, 8/3/2025). Swapping Jacobs, a fan favorite, risks backlash but could unlock Cook’s big-play spark alongside Love’s 3,947-yard arm (Packers Wire).
Bills GM Brandon Beane, chasing a Super Bowl after a 9-8 season, sees Jacobs as the bruising RB missing since LeSean McCoy (web ID: 8). Trading Cook, Buffalo’s homegrown star, could stir unrest, but Jacobs’ durability (301 carries) fits Allen’s run-heavy approach (NFL Network).
The swap aligns cap hits—Jacobs’ $14 million against Cook’s $2.1 million rookie deal through 2025—while addressing needs (Spotrac). Green Bay’s $47 million cap absorbs Cook’s future extension, leaving room for a draft WR like Tetairoa McMillan (Sporting News, 18/4/2025).
Both offenses, top-12 in yards, gain tailored weapons. Cook’s 8.5 yards per catch stretches defenses for Reed’s routes, while Jacobs’ 35 broken tackles bolster Buffalo’s ground game (PFF). The trade’s audacity turns heads.
With April 24 looming, draft priorities could shift. Will Gutekunst and Beane dare to swap their RB stars? This crazy deal could redefine the NFC and AFC landscapes for 2025.
