Packers’ Preston Smith has been floated in trade talks, per report

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.