Aaron Rodgers not expecting Packers to sign Dez Bryant

GREEN BAY – Aaron Rodgers believes free-agent receiver Dez Bryant has plenty to offer an offense but doesn’t expect the Green Bay Packers to sign him.

After releasing Jordy Nelson at the start of spring, the Packers could use more receiver depth behind Davante Adams and Randall Cobb. Rodgers, careful to say it wasn’t his decision, suggested history would indicate the Packers probably will go with who they have on their roster.

“We like young receivers,” Rodgers said Tuesday. “So I’m assuming that’s the way they’re going to keep going.”

Bryant, a first-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in 2010, was released earlier this spring after eight seasons with his original team. He was selected to three Pro Bowls with the Cowboys, his last coming in 2016.

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Rodgers said he wouldn’t oppose the Packers signing Bryant, but he believes it’s unlikely.

“I don’t know why you’d cut Jordy and bring in Dez,” Rodgers said, “but he’s a talented player. He’s going to end up somewhere. If he ends up here, we’d obviously welcome him with open arms and get him up to speed as quick as possible.”

When it comes to young receivers, the Packers have no shortage of options. They drafted three this spring: J’Mon Moore in the fourth round, Marquez Valdes-Scantling in the fifth and Equanimeous St. Brown in the sixth. Others, such as 2017 fifth-round pick DeAngelo Yancey and 2017 undrafted rookie Michael Clark, could factor in the mix.

Perhaps the most likely candidate to replace Nelson isn’t Bryant or the crop of rookies, but third-year receiver Geronimo Allison. In two seasons, the undrafted receiver out of Illinois has 35 catches and 455 yards. He caught two touchdowns from Rodgers as a rookie in 2016, then followed early last season with a game-winning catch in overtime against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Adams, assuming more leadership with Nelson gone, said he’s been impressed with Allison’s development.

“G-Mo’s been on the field,” Adams said. “He’s seen some NFL defenses. So it’s not as much small things I have to nitpick on, and G-Mo is one of the biggest students of the game in the locker room. He attacks it. You talk about a pro, he’s on his way to being just like the Jordys in terms of how he carries himself.

“He’s the most attentive dude. Doesn’t say much, but he’s observant. He’s watching all the time, and he picks up on things real well. Not a dude that you have to tell him things twice, so it makes it easy to work with him.”