Former Kentucky star Randall Cobb has been reportedly put on the trade block by his NFL team, the Green Bay Packers. The Ringer’s Mike Lombardi, a former assistant coach of the New England Patriots, said on his GM Street podcast he’s heard the team has been shopping Cobb’s name around. However, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport disputed the report and said that the Packers are not shopping Cobb. Cobb is entering the final year of his four-year, $40 million deal. With Equanimeous St. Brown and DeAngelo Yancey receiving preseason snaps from the slot receiver position, this could hint at a potential Cobb-Green Bay divorce. This doesn't come as a major surprise, as the Packers recently cut ties with fan favorite and highly-trusted wide receiver Jordy Nelson this past spring. Considering he was All-Pro quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ most consistent target, it’s doubtful that Green Bay would be hesitant with Cobb. Cobb’s $9.5 million cap hit for this year won’t be an attractive asset for most teams, and neither will his injuries along with decline of production over the last three seasons. Cobb had a monster season from the slot in 2014, posting 91 catches for 1,287 yards and 12 touchdowns. However, in 2015, his numbers fell to 79 catches for 829 yards and only six touchdowns. In 2016, his production flattened by missing six games and recording only 60 catches for 610 yards and four touchdowns. 2017 wasn’t very productive either, as Rodgers missed significant time with a collarbone injury. Cobb suffered from sub-par QB play, posting a stagnant 66 catches for 653 yards and four touchdowns. Cobb probably still has some left in his tank, just probably not enough to mirror his high cap hit. With quality slot receivers hard to come by, Cobb will surely draw interest from multiple teams if released. The Patriots, for example, will be without Julian Edelman the first four games of the season and could take a flyer on Cobb should he be released by then.<doc-sep>ASHWAUBENON, WI - JULY 27: Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) waits for the ball during Green Bay Packers training camp at Ray Nitschke Field on July 27, 2018 in Ashwaubenon, WI. (Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) There are conflicting reports out there, but could the Green Bay Packers actually trade Randall Cobb? The Green Bay Packers are expecting a rebound season from Randall Cobb, especially with Aaron Rodgers back healthy. But according to Michael Lombardi of The Ringer, on his Wednesday podcast, the Packers are shopping Cobb. Within hours of that Ian Rapoport of NFL Network refuted Cobb is being shopped, while conceding some teams have called the Packers about his availability. Cobb is entering the final year of his contract, so some level of trade speculation could be expected. The Packers have been mentioned as a favorite to trade for Khalil Mack, as he continues his holdout with the Oakland Raiders. A trade offer to Oakland for Mack involving Cobb is not very likely, but it shouldn’t be ruled out. In the background of any Cobb trade rumors is Rodgers, who the Packers are trying to get signed to a contract extension. Rodgers lamented the decision to cut Jordy Nelson this offseason, and more recently in training camp he openly criticized the effort level of younger receivers. The idea of trading Cobb, legitimate or not, is surely not sitting well with the league’s most talented quarterback. Cobb’s recent drop-off in production, which coincided with his signing a big contract, makes him a less than desirable trade commodity. His $8.6 million salary for this year also doesn’t help, as a lot of teams would have to part with a player in a trade in order to stay comfortably under the salary cap. Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst seems open to making significant moves, in a stark (refreshing?) contrast to his predecessor Ted Thompson. So nothing is out of bounds with Cobb as Week 1 approaches, even if trading him stands to have some negative affect on the already inexplicably slow-moving negotiations with Rodgers.<doc-sep>Randall Cobb was in the news on Wednesday night and not just because it was his birthday. Michael Lombardi of the Ringer reported on his "GM Steet" podcast that the Packers were shopping Cobb to NFL teams. However, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network later reported teams were seeing if the Packers were interested in trading Cobb, but the Packers intend to have Cobb on the roster this season. When it comes to NFL trades, almost every player has a price and can be traded except for possibly Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady, so there's no doubt the Packers have received calls on Cobb. But when it comes down to it, there's no chance the Packers were going to trade away the second-leading receiver on the roster just weeks before the regular season. Here are four reasons why Cobb won't be traded. Aaron Rodgers This is the most obvious reason as the Packers need as many weapons as possible for Rodgers to play at a high level. This is not to say Rodgers can't play with the other receivers on the roster, but Cobb and the Davante Adams are the most experienced receivers and behind them, there's not a lot of depth. Cobb has been on the roster since 2011 and he has built a strong relationship with Rodgers. So trading Cobb away would not make Rodgers happy who is looking to sign a contract extension in the near future. Jordy Nelson Nelson is no longer on the Packers roster, as they made the decision to cut him back in March. Because the Packers don't have a lot of experience at receiver, the loss of Nelson meant Cobb was going to be on the team in 2018. There was a debate going concerning of the Packers would cut either Cobb or Nelson, but Cobb is younger and he can do more for the Packers offense. The Packers will face the Oakland Raiders on Friday. Stay up to date with everything – take five seconds to Sign up for our FREE Packers newsletter now! Reliable hands Even though Cobb has not produced the same numbers he did in 2014 when he recorded over 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns, he has one of the more reliable hands in the history of the game. Per Zachary Jacobson of Cheeshead TV, Cobb is only one of two players to have a catch of 70 percent despite being targeted over 600 times in his career. So while Cobb is not considered an elite receiver or the best receiver on the roster, he's is a valuable member of the offense. Contract Let's just say the Packers really wanted to trade Cobb, it would be a challenge for the team to find a trade partner because of his contract. Cobb is entering of the final season of his four-year deal and he's expected to make $12 million which is the second-highest total on the roster according to Spotrac. The only way a team agrees to trade for Cobb is to give him a contract extension as soon as he's acquired so the team won't take a big hit when it comes to their salary cap.<doc-sep>
Michael Ainsworth/Associated Press As it turns out, Green Bay Packers receiver Randall Cobb may not be on the trading block after all. Former NFL executive and current employee for The Ringer Mike Lombardi recently said on his GM Street podcast (h/t Rotoworld) that he had been hearing Cobb was being "shopped around." However, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport followed that up on Wednesday night by reporting the veteran wideout is not being shopped and is expected to contribute to Green Bay's offense in 2018. Rapoport added that teams have checked in on the 28-year-old receiver, though. He currently has one year and a base salary of $8.6 million remaining on his contract, per Spotrac. Cobb has never worn any other uniform than a Packers one since being drafted in the second round in 2011. Over the years, he and quarterback Aaron Rodgers have become one of the most dynamic duos in the league. No. 18 has hauled in 432 passes for 5,141 yards and 39 touchdowns during his seven-year career. He has topped out at 91 catches, 1,287 yards and 12 scores, all achieved during his Pro Bowl season of 2014. Over a four-year stretch from 2012 to 2015, he recorded at least 79 catches and six touchdowns three times. The only year he didn't reach those marks was 2013, when a leg injury limited him to just six games. His numbers have dipped a bit in recent seasons because of a number of factors. He played in just 13 contests in 2016, and last season, Rodgers was limited to just seven games because of a collarbone injury. Cobb still managed to put up 653 yards and four touchdowns while catching passes from backup Brett Hundley for half of the season. Video Play Button Videos you might like Moving Cobb would be an interesting decision by Green Bay. The Packers already dumped longtime star Jordy Nelson earlier this offseason, a move that didn't sit well with Rodgers. Now, even with the addition of Pro Bowl tight end Jimmy Graham, they would risk upsetting the face of their franchise again by parting ways with another one of his favorite targets. Given the team is currently attempting to sign Rodgers to a long-term deal, giving him as many playmakers as possible should be a top priority right now.