After the departure of former defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald to become the head coach of the Seahawks, the Ravens promoted from within and named inside linebackers coach and ex-Ravens linebacker Zach Orr to replace him.
Orr interviewed on Tuesday with the Packers for their vacant defensive coordinator position per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, and were ready to extend an offer to Orr.
He ultimately chose to remain in Baltimore and the Ravens decided to keep in in that same capacity.
Orr, 31, is considered a rising star on the defensive side of the ball and has been coaching at the NFL level since 2017. He has been coaching the inside linebackers for the Ravens since 2022 and is considered widely responsible for the success of Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen as one of the most feared linebacker duos in the league. Both players received Pro Bowl honors in 2023.
The Ravens led the league in scoring defense and takeaways while allowing just six rushing touchdowns all season. Orr was undrafted out of North Texas in 2014 and was signed by the Ravens that same year. He was forced into retirement after the 2016 season due to the discovery of a congenital neck/spine condition.
Green Bay Packers GM Drops Message Regarding Blockbuster Trade .
This 2024 Green Bay Packers are going to be something special. The Packers ended up as one of the four remaining NFC teams despite many expecting them to be in a rebuilding year. In addition, they fell three points short of reaching the conference championship.
A young Packers offense, led by Jordan Love, has proven that they can score against any defense. However, General Manager Brian Gutekunst revealed that the team could be getting an experienced veteran in the near future.
Brian Gutekunst Drops Hint Toward Blockbuster Trade In The Near Future
“Whether it’s staying and picking, trading, moving around…maybe trading those picks for veteran players, who knows.”
Green Bay Packers GM Brian Gutekunst on the flexibility of the team’s draft capital
It’s true the Packers don’t have plenty of cap space in 2024, still owing money to Bakhtiari ($40.018 million cap hit) and Jones ($17.028 million cap hit), but they’re certainly flush with draft picks. The Packers’ front office is well-positioned to be aggressive this offseason with five picks in the first three rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft, including two picks in Rounds 2 and 3.
These picks are normally used exclusively in the draft by teams whose philosophy is to draft and develop players. Gutekunst’s conments, however, publicly opened up the possibility of a blockbuster trade.
What Would The Green Bay Packers Trade For?
The Packers’ biggest needs going into the 2024 off-season include offensive tackle, running back, interior offensive lineman, cornerback, and safety.
It is unlikely that the Packers will break the bank in free agency for any one of those positions, however, trading mid-round picks for a serviceable starter could certainly happen. To play devils advocate, however, if the Packers did find themselves in position to “break the bank” for a star player, it would send a message to the league.
This past season saw the Packers show actual interest in trading for star running back Jonathan Taylor. It was also widely reported that they would be willing to give him the contract he was seeking.
2024 may be the year that the Packers are active in the trade market for someone who could help the team now, while also providing longevity at a position of need.
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