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The NFL Scouting Combine has begun. That means the Green Bay Packers and the league’s 31 other teams will soon evaluate hundreds of prospects, both on the Lucas Oil Stadium turf and during interviews. For the next few days, Indianapolis will serve as the center of the football world.
That environment has already generated opportunities for important members of the Packers’ football operations to speak publicly. That includes, team president Mark Murphy, who spoke at length about what he expects from star quarterback Aaron Rodgers in 2019.
Murphy: Rodgers must embrace Packers’ change | ESPN
Since the Packers announced Matt LaFleur as their new head coach, questions have surfaced regarding Rodgers’ willingness to buy into a new way of running the team. “He has to embrace it,” Murphy said about Rodgers. “And I think he is. I hope he adapts well. I’m excited. I know he’s excited. I’ve had some discussions with him.”
Packers will gain valuable salary cap room by moving on from Randall Cobb | Forbes
It seems increasingly unlikely that the Packers will re-sign veteran receiver Randall Cobb, one of the team’s big-name free agents this offseason. While Cobb remains effective when on the field, his recent injury history suggests that he’ll have a hard time living up to his next contract.
Packers excited about future of secondary under Jason Simmons | Packers.com
Though Jason Simmons spent some time coaching defense since joining the Packers’ staff, his primary responsibilities fell on special teams. That has changed since LaFleur arrived in Green Bay, and now Simmons replaces the departed Joe Whitt Jr. as the team’s lead secondary coach. Simmons has a lot to prove, but he has a talent group of corners to make his transition easier.
Falcons plan to keep DE Beasley for ‘19 | ESPN
Right now, the Falcons plan to retain former top-10 pick Vic Beasley as he enters the final, most expensive year of his rookie contract. However, if they decide that the underperforming pass rusher would return more in a deal than he will provide on the field, the Packers might have to consider making an offer.