Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur Breaks Silence on Josh Jones' Absence From OTAs

Once thought to be a promising piece of a young defensive corps, Green Bay Packers safety Josh Jones has found himself on uncertain ground.

The 2017 second-round pick is currently holding out and skipping Packers offseason workouts in order to force a trade out of town. Neophyte head coach Matt LaFleur has taken the high road when asked about Jones, however, offering up classic coach-speak about only focusing on the players that are in camp and letting GM Brain Gutekunst handle the business side of things.

After a promising rookie campaign that included 67 tackles, two sacks, and an interception, Jones was passed on the depth chart by Kentrell Brice last season and likely won't see the field a ton this year after the signing of Adrian Amos in free agency and the drafting of Maryland's Darnell Savage in the first round.

At 6-2 and 220 pounds, Jones has a lot to offer for a team in need of a hybrid safety/linebacker who can play several different positions, but still needs to improve his reading of defenses, which is ultimately what cost him playing time in Green Bay.

After two years in the NFL, Jones is still the same question mark he was coming out of North Carolina State. He has all the tools to be an capable safety, but struggles to put them together consistently. LaFleur is managing this situation effectively at the moment, but the organization can't leave the player hanging forever.