What Does Harvin Trade Mean for Packers?
The Seattle Seahawks swung a deal with the Minnesota Vikings for receiver Percy Harvin. What does the move mean for the Packers?
By Zach Kruse
Pending a physical and contract agreement, the Minnesota Vikings have agreed to a deal that will send receiver Percy Harvin to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for three draft picks.
Jay Glazer of FOX Sports first reported the trade early Monday afternoon, a day before the beginning of the new league year.
The Seahawks and Vikings have agreed to a trade that send Harvin to Seattle for draft picks, pending Harvin passing a physical
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) March 11, 2013
With the Vikings inside the Packers' division and the Seahawks worthy competition in the NFC, the Harvin trade impacts Green Bay on several levels.
Here's the breakdown:
- Minnesota will acquire Seattle's first-round pick in 2013, which would give the Vikings both the No. 23 and 25 picks in April's draft. Both selections come before the Packers, who pick No. 26 overall.
- Vacating Harvin from the Vikings' receiving depth chart leaves Minnesota scary thin at the position. Whether it's through free agency or the draft (or both), the Vikings will have to add a player or two to be competitive at receiver in 2013. Could Greg Jennings be one option for Minnesota?
- The Packers no longer have to worry about facing Harvin twice a year, even if the versatile playmaker only averaged 3.7 catches for 44.5 yards in six career meetings against Green Bay. Keep in mind, Harvin also averaged almost eight yards a carry and nearly 26 a return. Losing Harvin—no matter who Minnesota picks in the first-round in April—hurts a division rival.
- With Harvin on board, Seattle would become one of the NFC favorites in 2013. They might have been without a weapon like Harvin. Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch, Sidney Rice, an elite defense and Harvin makes a scary collection of talent.
- The Packers do not play Seattle in the regular season in 2013. The playoffs could be a different story.
Zach Kruse is a 24-year-old sports writer who contributes to Cheesehead TV, Bleacher Report and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He also covers prep sports for the Dunn Co. News. You can reach him on Twitter @zachkruse2 or by email at [email protected].
Comments (32)
March 11, 2013 at 05:43 pm
A. I HATE that the Vikes have those 2 picks right before the Packers pick. At least you can probably count on them going WR with one of those picks.
B. Vikes have to be the favorites to land Jennings now.
March 11, 2013 at 06:27 pm
Yeah the vikes had 2 picks before the Packers in '05 too. They got Williamson and Erasmus James and the Packers got Rodgers. Who won that draft?
March 11, 2013 at 06:28 pm
Point taken. Ha
March 11, 2013 at 08:17 pm
You're growing on me Stroh.
March 12, 2013 at 01:30 pm
Vikes have money to spend. Jennings will end up there just like Brett!
March 11, 2013 at 05:56 pm
That is quite a haul for Percy Headache.
March 11, 2013 at 06:31 pm
For the vikes this trade in addition by subtraction. And for Seattle it could easily be subtraction by addition. Carroll's been fond of Harvin for years. Looks like he got his wish to try to deal w/ Harvins problems.
Harvins a headcase of the 1st degree. He argues w/ every coach he has. He's a constant malcontent. Good luck w/ that Pete... Its only a matter of time before you'll be fed up w/ him and get rid of him. Just better hope he doesn't cost you your job.
March 11, 2013 at 07:23 pm
A headache who in a couple days they will be paying $11 million a year.
March 11, 2013 at 09:07 pm
Which might make him an even bigger headache.
March 11, 2013 at 08:20 pm
I agree with that, but, the kid does have ridiculous skills. Wilson, Lynch and he, with that read-option... Could be a fun offense to watch. That said, I hope the trade blows up in Seattle's face.
March 11, 2013 at 06:49 pm
It probably means Jennings is their guy unless a cash surplus team like Cleveland steps in. Everyone knew Harvin wanted out the the Vikes still got full value, that is hard to do. Jenning still will not cash in any where near what he projected to get. He was an outstanding Green Bay Packer in his 7 years, loved watching him move the chains fearlessly inside and then be able to go deep when it was least expected, we got our moneys worth with him.
March 11, 2013 at 08:18 pm
If I were Jennings, I would see it as a major step backward to go from receiving balls from Aaron Rodgers to Christian Ponder. Hope he's ok abandoning those deep routes...
March 11, 2013 at 08:50 pm
No doubt. Especially with no other receiving threats to take some of the pressure off him.
March 11, 2013 at 07:23 pm
What does it mean?
It means that of the 3 Seahawks' offensive "stars" mentioned in the article GM John Schneider added RB (Lynch) and WR (Harvin) via trade and the other WR (Rice) via free agency. And the only draftee, QB Russell Wilson, beat out Free Agent Matt Flynn for the job last year.
Interesting that Schneider seems to be constructing the Seahawks roster very, very differently than the the way TT has built the Packers.
March 11, 2013 at 08:22 pm
Astute observation. The protege definitely seems to be a little bit more fond of playing the market.
March 11, 2013 at 09:12 pm
And Thompson made a huge trade to get Matthews, not to mentioned signed one of the most successful FA of all time (along w/ Reggie White). Thompson just choses to do his work during the draft. When Schneider pulls off a trade or signs a FA better than Woodson let me know.
March 11, 2013 at 09:46 pm
Well I hope TT hits it with this draft because he is going to need to keep pace with the Seahawks and Niners. With San Fran signing Boldin today and reportedly the frontrunner for Revis,their going to be the team to beat in the NFC.
March 11, 2013 at 10:15 pm
Thats what everyone said last year and they didn't win the SB. Go check out how Philly did when they won the offseason. Alot can happen between now and the beginning of the season. Iggles got Asoumuga and he was supposed to make them unbeatable.
Would have thought by now that fans would understand that the offseason talent grab doesn't win SB's. Thompson has his philosophy and its a proven one, yet fans keep clamoring to win the offseason.
March 11, 2013 at 09:13 pm
BTW are you sure it was Schneider that traded for Lynch?
March 12, 2013 at 06:15 am
Yup. Lynch traded in October 2010. Schneider started with Seahawks in January 2010.
March 11, 2013 at 09:14 pm
it is also interesting to see how Dorsey in Kansas has quickly started with the free agency route....however the biggest back lash from this deal is how does it affect Randall Cobb? he will wanting paying too and that means a lot of cash will be tied up in the three players, Rogers, Matthews and Cobb, i could imagine close to $50 million. Harvin is currently asking for $12 million. i really think we are going to see a few players leave like BJ, Shields and possibly even Bulaga ior Jordy and Jones in the coming seasons. which is a real shame...i think you also cant rent a player like finley at $8 million for one season. would love to see Pitta come in from Baltimore as he has been tendered at the 2nd round level...
March 11, 2013 at 11:34 pm
Firm caps and escalating prices for big time stars will push the market down for those 2nd and 3rd tier free agents - especially those who are on their second or third contract. At the end of the day, it all breads parody. Having the big time stars locked up at key positions (QB being #1) and good drafts is what will bring continuos success and periodic chances at a Super Bowl win. You just can't have it all in this NFL. Lucky for us, with #12 at the helm we'll have a shot at it for the foreseeable future.
March 11, 2013 at 11:34 pm
Looks to me like the Queens got the better of this deal. They got rid of a player they didn't even want anymore and snagged a first round pick. I wouldn't be surprised if they take a QB with one of those picks.
Plus SF gets Boldin for just a sixth rounder! Not a good day for the Green and Gold.
March 12, 2013 at 11:05 am
Even worse. We could easily lose EDS, Shields, Findley, Jones and were not getting any free agent help again this year so this team is in reverse.
We could for the sake of the fans keep Mathews and Rogers and have them surrounded by a team of no body's and 5-11 records. I'd hate to lose either but you can't give the farm away.
March 12, 2013 at 06:21 am
There were question marks last year as to how hurt Harvin was. You can't have a guy like this on your team taking games off because he thinks the team stinks. The Queens did stink, but it doesn't matter. Be a pro, show up, do your job. The Queens were smart to dump him and they were shrewd to get as much as they did for him. The Seahawks now look crazy on paper but with Harvin's chronic migrane issues who knows when he will show up. IMHO Harvin is a couple of concussions away from being a big might have been.
March 12, 2013 at 11:07 am
If they would have gotten a 1 pick it would be a good deal but they got a two and a three for next year as well. Wow
Take into the fact they drafted three guys who were pro bowlers last year, and another strong draft and the Vikes move to the top of the heap for several years to come like the niners and we go south.
March 12, 2013 at 08:37 am
It means we don't play against him twice a year....no more,no less.
March 12, 2013 at 09:11 am
and we'll get to watch him (from the outside) while he plays in the playoffs next season
March 12, 2013 at 09:33 am
Quite the crystal ball you got there.I guess we should take the year off.
March 12, 2013 at 09:40 am
He's the Dick Morris of football predictors.
March 12, 2013 at 10:31 am
Well done Evan, well done.
March 12, 2013 at 11:02 am
It means the Vikes get rid of a fester, pick up a number one to go with their other number one guaranteeing they will get that top receiver, maybe two top receivers plus a Jennings pick up and kick our ass next year.
On the other hand we lose Jennings, Jones, EDS, Shields, Findley, Driver, Woodson and have a whoping 7 draft picks to fill all those holes with.