Calais Campbell’s new teammate ‘not surprised’ Aaron Rodgers tried to recruit defensive stud

CANNES — Mack Hollins wasn’t “surprised” that Aaron Rodgers tried to poach Calais Campbell from the Atlanta Falcons.

The wide receiver responded to Campbell’s comments about the Jets quarterback pitching him to join the franchise and said he understood the recruiting effort.

“Aaron’s played a lot longer than me. I think he’s on like year 16,” Hollins told The Post at Stagwell’s Sport Beach at the Cannes Lions Festival on Tuesday.

“I wouldn’t be surprised. Usually if you’re a good player and you’ve been around the league a long time, usually guys have relationships with other players.”

Hollins, 29, joked that if he were Rodgers, 39, he’d “probably want good players, too.”

“It’s like, ‘Hey, come on over to our team! Play with us instead of other people,’” he quipped. “[Rodgers] is a smart man.”

Campbell, 36, revealed in April that the former Green Bay Packers star texted him to try and sway him into signing with the Jets during free agency — but turned him down. 

Aaron Rodgers speaks at a psychedelic science convention in Denver on June 21, 2023.Kevin Mohatt for New York Post

“It was appealing having Aaron Rodgers text you talking about winning a Super Bowl together, but when it came down to it, I just had this gut feeling that Atlanta was a special place and the value I could bring would be most effective there,” Campbell said on “The Crew” podcast.

The longtime Ravens defensive end said it was a “tough” decision but ultimately the right call for him and his career.

“Honestly, it comes down to the value I could bring,” Campbell said of his decision to sign with the Falcons over the Jets. 

Calais Campbell signed with the Falcons over the Jets this offseason.TNS

“I think a big part of it was in the Jets system where I would have played and what I could bring wasn’t as appealing as Atlanta’s system, where I feel like they’re going to allow me to be on the field and inflict change… when it came down to it, I just felt like they already have so many great D-lineman.”

Rodgers was officially traded to the Jets on April 24, weeks after he announced his intention to play for the franchise.

Rodgers will have plenty of familiar faces around him from his days with the Packers.

Receivers Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb, safety Adrian Amos and offensive lineman Billy Turner all signed with the Jets this offseason after playing in Green Bay.

Campbell, though, will now be playing alongside Hollins, who is most excited to be in a new city and meet new players.

Mack Hollins signed with the Falcons this offseason.Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

“Any opportunity to be out on the field and compete, I really love,” Hollins told The Post. 

Hollins is entering his eighth year in the league and has played for the Eagles, Dolphins, and Raiders prior to signing with the Falcons this offseason.