Green Bay Packers: 3 Possible trade partners for safety Josh Jones
By Joe Kipp
Green Bay Packers safety Josh Jones has become frustrated with his role on the team. Here are three potential trade destinations for the third-year safety.
The writing was on the wall for third-year defender Josh Jones after what the Green Bay Packers did to address the safety position this offseason. After signing free agent Adrian Amos and spending a first-round pick on Darnell Savage Jr. in the 2019 NFL Draft, the Packers made it clear what they thought of the safety position.
Because of these moves, Jones requested a trade before the start of Green Bay’s offseason team activities (originally reported by ESPN’s Rob Demovsky). Jones has been absent during the team’s offseason program the past two weeks, apparently working out with his own trainer in Florida. A former second-round pick in 2017 under then-general manager Ted Thompson, Jones believes he hasn’t been given a fair shake to contribute over his first two seasons.
A source close to Jones said he believes “it would be best” if Jones and the Packers parted ways. Jones had previously reported to the team’s offseason workouts beginning April 8, but the selection of Savage in this year’s draft appears to have been the final straw.
Of course, Jones was not technically obligated to be at the team’s offseason activities, but he can be fined if he doesn’t show up to mandatory mini-camp on June 11-13. You’d have to think if he doesn’t report by then, the Packers will take action and find a trade partner for his services.
That said, it remains to be seen if general manager Brian Gutekunst would oblige to Jones’ demand for a trade. Jones is still under contract with Green Bay for a minimum of two years, so if the Packers wanted to play hard-ball it wouldn’t be shocking.
Besides, what’s the most the Packers could fetch for Jones — maybe a conditional late-round pick, a la running back Ty Montgomery? Just in case Gutekunst does decide to trade him, though, here are three potential trade suitors to look out for.