The Green Bay Packers and the Texans are attempting to hammer out a potential reunion between quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver Randall Cobb, one of Rodgers' closest friends and favorite all-time downfield targets, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly.
Trade discussions are afoot in an expected deal that would make Rodgers extremely happy after adapting his contract and being given other assurances to return to Green Bay following an acrimonious offseason.
Cobb has effectively already been replaced in the slot position by the Texans after they traded a fifth-round draft pick for former Chicago Bears wide receiver Anthony Miller and a seventh-round pick.
And the Texans' top wide receiver, Brandin Cooks, already said goodbye to Cobb on social media, writing: "You meet people and they become family right away! @rcobb18 go back home and set it off "
Cobb, 30, would join Davante Adams and third-round draft pick Amari Rodgers.
Cobb expressed fond memories of his time in Green Bay last season before a game against his former teammates last season at NRG Stadium.
“I think putting on the green and gold and running through the tunnel and knowing the players that’s come through that tunnel and the people that’s played on that field, it really is hallowed ground," Cobb said. "It’s really a special place. I have some very fond memories. A lot of interaction with the fans during the game and off the field and at the grocery store. So, it’ll always be a special place to me.”
Cobb is due a guaranteed base salary of $8.25 million and $8.65 million total in cash this year under a three-year, $27 million contract signed last year as a free agent that included $18.75 million guaranteed. He last played for the Packers in 2018, spending 2019 with the Dallas Cowboys. Unless the terms of Cobb's deal are altered, the Texans would take on $2 million in dead money in 2021 and 2022 when he's due a nonguaranteed $7.875 million salary.
Cobb ended last season on injured reserve with a toe injury suffered while catching a touchdown pass against the New England Patriots.
Last season, Cobb caught 38 passes for 441 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games on 48 targets. The Texans replaced Cobb in the slot with Keke Coutee, who's entering the final year of his rookie deal and caught 33 passes for 400 yards on 40 targets in eight games last season.
Cobb caught 55 passes for 828 yards and three scores two seasons ago for the Cowboys.
During eight seasons in Green Bay after being drafted in the second round out of Kentucky, Cobb caught 470 passes for 5,524 yards and 41 touchdowns.
Aaron Wilson has covered the NFL for 20 seasons, including the Texans, Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars. He has previously written for The Houston Chronicle and The Baltimore Sun. He’s on Twitter: @AaronWilson_NFL and Instagram: @aaronwilson7128.
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