Packers predicted to acquire NFL's leading tackler in surprise trade with Colts

It hasn't been the dream start to the 2024 NFL season the Green Bay Packers may have been hoping for.

At 2-2, the Packers could be in far worse shape, considering starting quarterback Jordan Love's injury in Week 1. Love returned to the lineup Sunday, but the Packers fell to the division-rival Minnesota Vikings to fall into a tie for last place in the NFC North.

The Packers have been largely impressive on offense this season, but the defense has been much more mercurial. They shut down two of their opponents, but the other two ran roughshod over them, particularly Minnesota in Sunday's first half.

On Monday, Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department predicted that the Packers would trade for Indianapolis Colts linebacker E.J. Speed to provide some much-needed support to their linebacking core.

"Linebacker is a current weakness for the Packers as starters Quay Walker and Isaiah McDuffie each posted sub-50 grades from Pro Football Focus through the first three games of the season," the authors said. "Meanwhile, Speed has been listed on B/R's NFL Trade Block Big Board in back-to-back weeks and would be an upgrade for the defense."

Speed, 29, leads the NFL in both combo (47) and solo (34) tackles through four weeks, putting him on pace to blow his previous career highs out of the water. If the Colts decide to deal him, he'd be a strong fit for a lot of teams.

The real question is whether Indianapolis, which sits at 2-2 and one game back of the division-leading Houston Texans, is in a position to trade away any of its starters. Yes, Speed will be a free agent, but they could always re-sign him if he helps them make a playoff push.

The Packers should be players in the trade market as they look to solidify their contender status, and Speed would likely be a name on their list. But they would need the Colts to meet them halfway for the deal to cross the finish line.

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