The Green Bay Packers draft class 2024 came together for their first rookie minicamp this past week, getting their first taste of the NFL and life with the storied franchise. A few days later, one of the Packers’ rookies abruptly retired.
Coming off a year with one of the strongest draft classes in the NFL, Green Bay is hoping for the same in 2024. Both before general manager Brian Gutekunst took over and since he’s led the front office, the franchise has a history of finding gems in nearly every round and even in undrafted free agency.
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The Packers rookie class this year is headlined by offensive tackle Jordan Morgan, linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, safety Javon Bullard and running back MarShawn Lloyd. However, Green Bay also came away with some notable players in the later round and some undrafted players.
On Monday, however, the Packers announced that offensive lineman Trent Jone was placed on the reserve/retired list. In his place, Green Bay claimed defensive lineman Spencer Waege off waivers from the San Francisco 49ers.
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Jones, age 23, was a standout on the Michigan Wolverines offensive line and played a key role as the starting right tackle for the Wolverines after Zak Zinter suffered a season-ending injury. The 6-foot-4 lineman was one of the top undrafted free agents signed by the Packers.
“Honestly, I didn’t really know this was going to be a turning point in my career. But, I did injure my back. It’s one of those things where you either make the decision to keep pushing and possibily get cut and also hurt your back or you can try to do this, try to do that, try to push through it but end up messing up your back forever…Then, there could also be the situation where you leave, get your back better, come back and then play another 10-15 yers. But, I made the decision to leave football. It’s kinda like a medical retirement, but it’s also a situation where I could in theory come back to football at some point.”
Former Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Trente Jones on retiring (via Trente Jones YouTube channel)
Jones, who had just prior posted a clip on Instagram from one of his first NFL practices, later confirmed the retirement. In a video, he explained the rationale behind his retirement.
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