NFL trade deadline: Which teams want to sell players and who needs to buy?
With the NFL trade deadline looming, we take a look at the teams who may put players on the block and who needs to go shopping
Over the past few weeks, the NFL landscape has become very confused waters indeed. Carolina cut loose of Matt Rhule, leading to speculation that Sean Payton might be looking to step back into that coaching role. Then rumors began to swirl about the Panthers perhaps looking to unload Baker Mayfield, before the sudden trade of Christian McCaffrey to the 49ers.
As we hit the mid-season mark, teams will be making one last grasp at a potential playoff run, or perhaps cutting their losses before looking to rebuild in 2023. On the bottom end of the table, there are teams who might look to unload players, while the more hopeful teams might be looking to add that one key ingredient to salvage their playoff hopes.
Carolina Panthers
While the Panthers’ team ownership and front office decided to retain Mayfield, it will be a short tenure while they look to draft high for the next one. They still want to retain the young core that it believes will be helpful for that rebuild, including pass rusher Brian Burns, wideout D.J. Moore, cornerback Jaycee Horn and defensive tackle Derrick Brown.
But one obtainable name that is expected to draw interest around the league is defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis. The 28-year-old is a free agent after this season, and as a solid, experienced cog for a playoff-caliber team could add to its defensive line. Carolina will certainly listen to offers for him.
Chicago Bears
The Bears are a team that feel as if they are in the middle of a fire sale. Any serious offers on anyone on their roster will be listened to. Whether or not there is much interest is a different matter linebacker Roquan Smith and running back David Montgomery might tickle someone’s fancy, but edge rusher Robert Quinn is the most palatable player on offer.
A former All-Pro with 18.5 sacks last season, Quinn carries a base salary of $13.9 million next year and $12.9 million the year after, leaving him ripe for removal. The Rams could see him as an acceptable replacement for Von Miller, while the Saints could also use the extra help on the defensive side.
Denver Broncos
With active interest reported in wideouts Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler, the Broncos going to be a team to make some waves over the weekend. Linebacker Bradley Chubb has piqued interest around the league as well, and he may be the most intriguing of the three.
Coming into the season with health issues dogging him, Chubb has the ability to add some pass rush currency to the right defense. With the high demand placed on that skillset, there will definitely be calls made about him.
Houston Texans
The Texans unloaded the deal of a lifetime last season when they cut loose of scandal-ridden quarterback Deshaun Watson, with Cleveland eating his massive salary. But it wasn’t nearly enough to regenerate their organization and they will be listening to any reasonable offer for pretty much any player.
Publicly looking to unload wideout Brandin Cooks, they will likely have some quiet interest in their offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil. Arguably the best player on their roster, his contract is due for extension in the offseason, with teams like Miami or Cincinnati perhaps looking to make their O-line Super Bowl caliber he could be a sleeper move.
Buffalo Bills
On the buyer side of the market, Buffalo is already a Super Bowl caliber team, and they may go all-in, adding to their impressive lineup with a few backups. They could use help in the defensive secondary, where injuries could come into play late in the season. While their line and wideouts are solid, they could use an alternate behind tight end Dawson Knox as well.
New Orleans Saints
While the quarterback saga has eaten up the headlines for the Saints, their 2-5 record is an indictment, not of their offense, but their defense. It has been shocking to watch a team that is normally bolstered by one of the best defenses in the game being chewed up so easily this season. And while Andy Dalton and Jameis Winston will need to figure some things out on the offense, unless they can add some grunt to the other side of the ball, their season will slip through their fingers. A key linebacker or edge rusher could be the difference in going 2-15 and going 12-5.
Kansas City Chiefs
Travis Kelce’s contract restructuring gives clear signals that the Chiefs are looking to create cap space and make a run at the post season. Rumors are swirling that they will make a move for Odell Beckham Jr and they have a GM in Brett Veach who is not shy about big acquisitions right at the buzzer.
Philadelphia Eagles
As the last undefeated team left in the NFL, it may be something of a surprise to see the Eagles in this list. But although they don’t have any glaring deficiencies, they may just want to solidify that squad with an edge rusher who can give them that late season push. They have an extra first round pick for 2023 in the bag via a trade with the Saints, so they may just bet the house for a Super Bowl ring sooner rather than later.