Antonio Brown Rumors: Packers Gauged WR's Interest Before Buccaneers Contract

The Green Bay Packers reportedly put out feelers with Antonio Brown's camp to see if he would have interest in joining the team before he ultimately reunited with Tom Brady on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show:

Brown is eligible to make his debut with the Bucs in Week 9.

There's little doubt that the Packers need wide receiver help. Davante Adams is a certified superstar—and Allen Lazard was having a very nice season before being sidelined to injury—but the rest of the receiving corps leaves much to be desired. 

Of Aaron Rodgers' remaining options in the passing game out wide, Marquez Valdes-Scantling (16 receptions for 261 yards and a score in seven games) has been the most productive. Compare that to Adams (43 receptions for 502 yards and seven touchdowns in five games) or Lazard (13 catches for 254 yards and two scores in three games). 

Not exactly a flattering portrait of what Valdes-Scantling brings to the table.

Packers fans were clamoring for the team to upgrade the position in either free agency or the NFL draft. They did neither. They had Philadelphia Eagles breakout star Travis Fulgham in camp from Aug. 10-19 before cutting him. Fulgham now has 29 catches for 435 yards and four touchdowns in five games with Philly. 

If Green Bay is going to address the need now, it will have to come via trades. Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported on Sunday that the Packers had interest in Houston Texans wideout Will Fuller, while CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reported that Houston was willing to move on from any of Fuller, Brandin Cooks, Randall Cobb or Kenny Stills.

So a deal could yet materialize for Green Bay. It's pretty clear that the Super Bowl contenders need to address the position in some capacity before Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET trade deadline.