NFL: Aaron Rodgers Talking To Star Green Bay Packers Player Who Could Be Traded

NFL: The Aaron Rodgers era has officially ended for the Green Bay Packers.  After 18 years in town, and 15 years starting, Rodgers has taken his talents out east.  Jordan Love and the plethora of young weapons around him have fans excited for the future of the Packers.  However, Rodgers is reportedly still in communication with one of the best players on the Packers’ defense.

Aaron Rodgers Still In Communication With EDGE Preston Smith

In a conversation with Kay Adams, Rodgers opened up on his relationship with players on the team, his former coach and even some others in the building:

“Oh … definitely,” he said. “I talked to Jordan [Love] on the eve of training camp. Talk to Matt [LeFleur]. Still talk to a lot of people over there. I talked to Rasul [Douglas] recently. I’m always in touch with Preston [Smith] and love those guys, man. There’s so many guys I really care about over there.”

“A lot of people hit me up because I’m older are the workers, you know so talking to so many people who’ve been there forever,” he said. “And I love that place. You know that chapter is closed for now. We’ll write the epilogue at some point. But yeah, a lot of love and gratitude for them.”

Clearly Rodgers is specifically talking about their friendship off the field, however, that didn’t stop fans from reacting to this being a possible recruiting situation.

Preston Smith Has Been Named In Trade Talks This Off-Season (NFL)

Robin Adams of Wisconsin Sports Heroics reported earlier this off-season that Smith was named as a trade candidate for the Packers:

 In a recent article posted by Bleacher Report, Kristopher Knox argues that Preston Smith is the one player that the Packers should look to trade this offseason:

“Whether the Green Bay Packers want to admit it or not, they’re rebuilding after trading Aaron Rodgers and turning the offense over to Jordan Love. Veterans like Rodgers, Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb and Marcedes Lewis are out, and a youth movement should be incoming.

“This is part of the reason why Green Bay should consider trading leading sack artist Preston Smith (8.5 sacks in 2022) despite signing him to a four-year extension last offseason.

“Dealing Smith would require Green Bay to eat $18.1 million in dead money. However, it would save $2.3 million in cap space this year and $2.5 million in 2024. The added savings could be important, as budding star and pass-rusher Rashan Gary is slated to be a free agent in 2024.

“Gary is only 25 years old and can be a part of Green Bay’s future. Smith will turn 31 in November and might not see the end of his contract with the Packers if he sticks around.

While the Packers are unlikely to move on from Preston Smith this off-season, Rodgers has made it obvious he intends to be in New York for multiple years.  Don’t be surprised if he tries to poach more Packers players next off-season.

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