When the Carolina Panthers fired Matt Rhule on October 10, the effect this had on the NFL’s trading market was predictable. To go to the first block? High-paying players who can’t reasonably be dragged into another quarterback reboot.
“I bet they try to get out [two] bad contracts,” said one AFC general manager, pointing to outpacing Christian McCaffrey and Robbie Anderson in particular, after Rhule was fired.
Just days after this prediction came true, the league enters a decisive week before the November 1 trade date. Week 7 not only clarified in terms of teams that fit a “sales” column, front offices are shaping assets that will attract the most phone calls. And it’s not all short-term rentals like last season’s award-winning contender, Von Miller.
With that in mind, there are some teams that front offices expect to be dealers, as well as players that could draw investigations by next Monday.
carolina panthers
Carolina has given up on two contracts she wants to leave, but there may be more moves in the coming days. Unfortunately for the buyers, the Panthers’ owner and front office want to retain the young core (probably a very well-prepared rookie) who they believe will be helpful for the next quarterback. This includes passer Brian Burns, wide-angle DJ Moore, corner kicker Jaycee Horn and defender Derrick Brown.
However, one available name that is expected to attract attention is Matt Ioannidis’ defensive tackle. Known within the organization as the “Matt Rhule man” from his days together at Temple, 28-year-old Ioannidis is a free agent after this season. He also represents a solid and experienced gear that a playoff caliber team can add to their defensive line. There is zero question that Carolina will listen to offers for him.
The Bears would listen to offers from most of the cast at this point. This includes serious offers to evade linebacker Roquan Smith, security Eddie Jackson and David Montgomery.
But a much more interesting (and moving) actor is the edge-hugging Robert Quinn. With just one season removed from 18.5 sacks, the 32-year-old former All-Pro did not produce under the new regime and suddenly looks like the main contender to be released this season. His current contract expires in 2025 and carries a sizable base salary of $13.9 million in 2023 and $12.9 million in 2024. While his skill set isn’t 1-on-1, Quinn can be a very attractive target for teams looking to add a pass shot. They’re entering the postseason, with the Los Angeles Rams and Miller last season.
As one NFL general manager said, “If it’s in the right schema and lining up next to or against the right guy, there’s definitely value there. Bears must be motivated [to trade him]more.”
The Broncos have a team feel right now flying an extremely high “open to work” flag, with reports of active “interest” in defensive lineman Bradley Chubb alongside Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler. There is little doubt that any of these three would be open to offers. The question is whether there is legitimate interest or whether the team is trying to increase interest in players who are unlikely to be written into the plans next season.
The most intriguing of the three is Chubb. Similar to Quinn with the Bears or Von Miller a year ago, he can add some passing spark to a new team. If a franchise sees it as a long-term piece, it may live beyond 2022.
Denver knows Chubb has been going into this season for three years with health issues. That makes putting an expensive franchise tag on it after this season is a risky prospect. If the Broncos can pull another lucrative trade deadline bunny out of the hat, as they did with Miller a season ago, as they took their second and third round picks from the Rams, Chubb is gone. There will definitely be calls.
Given the possibility of a rookie quarterback restarting next season, it’s essentially another team that will listen to offers for everyone on the roster. They’re already flying the flag at the wide-ranging Brandin Cooks, but given his $18 million base salary in 2023, it’s probably going to take some gymnastics to knock him out of the roster. to another season of recalculation.
The Texan that almost no one is talking about plays the offense of Laremy Tunsil, arguably the best player on Houston’s roster. Tunsil, 28, still has a very amicable $18.5 million salary in 2023, but will seek to enter contract extension talks this season. Most teams believe Tunsil’s most likely trade window is next season, largely because the market will reach a decisive left tackle contract. That’s probably the right reading, but if a team is inclined to make a move and get their future left foot in the near future, it doesn’t mean Texans won’t listen to offers for it right now.
While general manager Dave Ziegler and head coach Josh McDaniels are not considering a restart to Las Vegas (as evidenced by their free agency signings), they are both gearing up for a roster change. Part of that came to light when the team turned down fifth-year options in all three first-round picks in 2019 – outpacing Josh Jacobs, safety Johnathan Abram and defender Clelin Ferrell. This made that triple trade bait on deadline.
But it is full of complexity. Ferrell is unlikely to be traded for anything of value, and Jacobs looks worthy of a potential contract extension. This leaves Abram, who sees that the number of snaps has dwindled, suggesting it’s appropriate.
There is little question the Raiders will take any of the three (even Jacobs). But it’s less likely that anyone would be interested enough in Abram or Ferrell to make them tradeable, or offer enough for Jacobs, who recently took the Las Vegas scrimmage.