Green Bay Packers–New Orleans Saints Trade History

Green Bay acquired Richard Winther from New Orleans for the 1972 fifth-round pick later used on Bill Butler. Winther's Packers stay was brief and produced limited playing value. Butler, by contrast, spent three seasons with the Saints, appeared in 41 games, and started 21, giving New Orleans a much stronger realized return from a modest draft choice.

New Orleans acquired tight end Len Garrett from Green Bay for the 1974 eighth-round choice used on safety Ned Guillet. Garrett appeared in 27 Saints games across 1973 and 1974 and remained with the club into 1975, while Guillet never appeared in an NFL regular-season game. That clear difference in realized value gives New Orleans the win.

New Orleans acquired the NFL rights to defensive lineman Bruce Clark from Green Bay on June 10, 1982, giving up its 1983 first-round pick. Clark then spent seven seasons with the Saints, produced 39.5 sacks, and reached the 1984 Pro Bowl. That sustained defensive production gave New Orleans the stronger return from a costly but successful rights acquisition.

New Orleans sent K.D. Williams and a 2001 third-round pick to Green Bay for Lamont Hall and quarterback Aaron Brooks. Brooks became the centerpiece, starting late in 2000 and helping deliver the first playoff victory in Saints history. He ultimately threw for 20,261 career yards and 123 touchdowns. Green Bay’s return never approached that franchise-level impact, making this an overwhelming Saints win.

Green Bay acquired quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan and New Orleans' 2005 second-round pick, which became safety Nick Collins at No. 51, for cornerback Mike McKenzie and a conditional 2006 sixth-round choice that became Josh Lay. Collins developed into a three-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion, giving Green Bay the best long-term asset in an otherwise productive exchange.

New Orleans acquired pick No. 237 from Green Bay in 2008 and selected wide receiver Adrian Arrington, sending the Packers a 2009 sixth-round choice that became No. 187. Arrington appeared in only five regular-season games for the Saints and caught nine passes for 110 yards. Green Bay used the future pick on defensive back Brandon Underwood, who also had a limited NFL impact, but he gave the Packers more usable roster time than Arrington gave New Orleans.

New Orleans paid picks No. 27 and 147 plus its 2019 first-rounder to jump to No. 14 for Marcus Davenport. Davenport flashed high-end ability and totaled 21.5 sacks in five Saints seasons, including nine in 2021, but injuries repeatedly limited his availability. Green Bay used the return as flexible capital in moves that helped produce Jaire Alexander in 2018 and Darnell Savage in 2019, giving the Packers the stronger long-term value.

New Orleans moved from No. 45 to No. 41 for Kool-Aid McKinstry, sending Green Bay additional selections at Nos. 168 and 190. McKinstry developed into a high-level Saints starter with 17 pass breakups and three interceptions in 2025. Green Bay selected Edgerrin Cooper at No. 45 and retained two extra draft opportunities, creating substantial value on both sides.