The Packers could save some cap space by moving Preston Smith, but finding a trade partner could be a tall order. Packers  edge Rusher Preston Smith has been floated in league circles as a potential trade target according to a new report from Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer .
With an impending cap crunch forcing teams to adjust their payrolls accordingly, Breer says numerous teams are trying to find ways to recoup some value while still shedding salary, leading to increased movement on the trade market.
In theory, at least. While Smith’s name may have been floated, getting someone to take on his contract might be a tough sell. The Packers could save around $8 million if they can move Smith before June 1, and they’ll wipe $12 million off their books with a post-June 1 move. But it takes two to tango and clearing your books with a trade involves getting someone to take on the very deal you’re trying to get rid of.
Still, if someone came calling with a deal that made it worth their while, you’d have to think the Packers would at least listen. Though Smith played better down the stretch in 2020, it was clear that he was the third of the Packers’ top three edge rushers by year-end. If someone presents Brian Gutekunst with the opportunity to create some cap space while getting something in return, he’d likely jump at it, but don’t count on that offer coming any time soon.

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Jon Meerdink wrote:

This is one of the things I find so frustrating about the off season. There isn't any real news so let's talk about what WE would like to see the Packers do. That doesn't mean it will happen but hey let's do it anyway.

Late in the season it was thought GB would simply release Preston outright. The need to save cap space makes him a possible target. Trading him sounds like a better solution. Why not try and get a 6th or 7th round pick instead of nothing at all? No where I have seen anyone suggest that GB might try to redo his contract. In the made up scenarios, that's a possibility too.

I guess we will see what the Packers finally decide.

Originally Posted by: wpr 

This Breer report is nothing but mere speculation based on the salary cap restrictions and Preston Smith's salary. That's it. But it's being misconstrued as the Packers are actively making calls to 31 NFL teams looking for someone to trade him to.

I wish Packers.com still provided transcripts of conferences. That was hugely beneficial for a clown like me. Anyhow, Brian G hasn't really mislead us in his conferences. I feel he's been a straight shooter from the get-go. I would speculate the Packers expect him to be here in 2021 because he is under contract. However, if someone offers the Packers a 4th or 5th round pick for him they would bite. And if no one offers even a 7th rounder, they might talk to Preston about a contract restructure. If he balks, they probably cut him. This would all still fall in line with what Brian G said about expecting him to be here. If a trade happens the response would be we were offered something we weren't expecting and felt it was best interest moving forward. Followed with some chatter about Rashan G doing well and deserving more playing time. If he's restructured that's self explanatory. If he's cut, well, Brian can say we expected him to extend his deal and provide cap relief for 2021, but he chose a different path.

In summary -- I have no freaking clue what's going on. I just believe what Brian said and believe Preston will remain with the Packers.


Edit: Found the quotes.
“Preston has played a lot of really good football for us, and certainly we'd like to have him back next year. He's under contract, so we certainly expect him to be back." - Brian Gutenkunst

"While those numbers might’ve been down, I think he affected out football team in a very positive way. So I think there are some things between the numbers there that his value doesn’t always show. He’s kind of been that way all his career. If you go back to Washington, his sack numbers were always a little bit up and down, but the way he affected the game with his length not only as a pass defender but in the run game as well. So he’s a really good player for us, and he’s got a lot of good years left, that’s for sure.” - Brian Gutenkunst

Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool