NFL trade rumors are starting to pick up big time now that a vast majority of the league is preparing for what promises to be an active offseason.
Last offseason saw the likes of stars Russell Wilson, Davante Adams, A.J. Brown and Tyreek Hill dealt as teams utilized the trade market far more than in the past.
We don’t expect things to change once the Super Bowl is completed on Feb. 12 as teams prepare for the start of NFL free agency and the upcoming draft. Bookmark. Do your thing. This is your one-stop shop for all of the latest NFL trade rumors.
Related: 2023 NFL Draft rumors
New York Jets unlikely to trade Zach Wilson
Wilson’s disastrous sophomore season has been followed by numerous rumors suggesting that New York is done with the former No. 2 pick. Wilson was benched multiple times during the 2022 campaign while showing a lack of maturity and leadership.
It’s in this that the Jets have been linked to the likes of Aaron Rodgers and Jimmy Garoppolo. Despite this, a recent report from Jeff Howe of The Athletic suggests that New York doesn’t intend to trade Zach Wilson unless it receives an offer the team can’t refuse. At this point, it seems that Wilson will be QB2 behind a veteran in Jersey next season.
Tee Higgins trade rumors heating up
We’re going to hear a lot of NFL trade rumors linking Higgins to other teams. While there’s nothing concrete on this front, the fact that he’s slated to hit free agency after the 2023 season and has performed like a WR1 makes this a real possibility. Cincinnati has to consider extending Ja’Marr Chase at about that same time, and he’ll likely reset the wide receiver market.
A second-round pick of the Bengals out of Clemson back in 2020, Higgins is averaging north of 1,000 yards through three seasons. This past year saw him catch 68% of his targets from Joe Burrow. We saw wide receivers in his position traded last season, including the blockbuster that sent A.J. Brown from the Tennessee Titans to the NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles. Could Higgins be the next star pass-catcher moved?
Trey Lance might be on the block
The UCL injury Brock Purdy suffered in the NFC Championship Game complicates things for San Francisco. It was set to rely on him as QB1 next season. That timeline is now in question. It could also lead to the 49ers retaining Trey Lance.
With that said, a recent report suggests that San Francisco doesn’t have confidence in Lance being a starter-caliber quarterback. NFL trade rumors had previously linked Lance to a potential deal with the 49ers signing Tom Brady as a stopgap option. Following Brady’s decision to retire, this complicate things to an extent. Even then, Lance is a name to watch.
Aaron Rodgers could be on the move
Yeah, we know the story. Rodgers was the subject of trade rumors last offseason before ultimately inking a record-breaking deal to remain with the Green Bay Packers. It just feels a bit different this time around. Green Bay is coming off a non-playoff season. Rodgers regressed in comparison to what we’ve seen from the four-time NFL MVP in the past. He’s also set to count $31.63 million against the cap for a Packers team that’s not in contention.
A recent report suggests that Green Bay would “prefer” to move on from Rodgers this coming offseason. As of right now, the future Hall of Famer has been most linked to the Las Vegas Raiders with his former teammate doing the recruiting pitch. Green Bay is said to be asking for at least two first-round picks in exchange for the all-time great.
Related: NFL QBs we’d love to see traded this offseason
Las Vegas Raiders expected to trade Derek Carr soon
Teams can enter into agreement on trades at pretty much any point, making them official once the new league year starts on March 15. We’ve seen this happen multiple times over the past few offseasons.
Look for Derek Carr to be among the most-notable players off the trade block. The Raiders expect to deal their longtime starter at some point soon with the New Orleans Saints, Washington Commanders and New York Jets all being linked to the three-time Pro Bowler.
- Derek Carr stats (2022): 61% completion, 3,522 yards, 24 TD, 14 INT, 86.3 QB rating
Carr, 31, was benched late in the regular season after struggling under first-year head coach Josh McDaniels. Almost immediately, it was reported that he would either be traded or released. While there’s continued drama behind the scenes in Vegas, the Raiders will have to trade Carr before February 16 as to not guarantee his salary for the 2023 season.
NFL trade rumors point to Jalen Ramsey being on the move
Coming off an injury-plagued and disappointing 2022 season, the Los Angeles Rams find themselves in salary cap hell. This has led to early speculation that it’s just a matter of time before general manager Les Snead and Co. move off the All-Pro cornerback.
Related: Ideal Jalen Ramsey trade scenarios
Ramey, 28, is coming off a somewhat down season by his standards. The five-time Pro Bowler yielded a 62.6% completion when targeted. Though, he also led Los Angeles with four interceptions and is still in his prime. The issue here is Ramsey’s $25.2 million cap hit for the 2023 season and how that will impact a potential trade. But expect several contending teams to get involved.
Related: Top 2023 NFL free agents
Arizona Cardinals listening on DeAndre Hopkins
Currently without a head coach, it’s unknown what new general manager Monti Ossenfort is going to do as it relates to roster construction. What we do know is that hands-on owner Michael Bidwell wants to move off DeAndre Hopkins. He’s cutting the checks and doesn’t seem too keen on Hopkins counting $30.75 million against the cap after two down seasons in the desert.
- DeAndre Hopkins stats (2013-22): 853 receptions, 11,298 yards, 71 TD, 62.4% catch rate
In nine games after returning from suspension this past season, Hopkins hauled in 64 passes for 717 yards. He’s going to draw interest on the trade block. Just don’t expect Arizona to receive a huge bounty for the 30-year-old pass-catcher.
Related: DeAndre Hopkins trade scenarios
NFL trade rumors point to potential Lamar Jackson blockbuster
The situation between Lamar Jackson and his Ravens took another turn at the end of the 2022 season with the former NFL MVP sidelined to a knee injury. This seemed to cause a rift behind the scenes. All of that comes following an offseason in which the two sides couldn’t come to terms on a long-term contract.
Reports are now surfacing that other teams believe Jackson could actually be traded this offseason. He apparently turned down $133 million in fully guaranteed cash from Baltimore. He’s holding out for a deal similar to the $230 million Deshaun Watson received in fully-guaranteed cash from the Cleveland Browns last spring.
- Lamar Jackson stats (2022): 62.3% completion, 2,242 passing yards, 764 rushing yards, 20 TD, 7 INT, 91.1 QB rating
Set to hit free agency in March, any Jackson trade would come after Baltimore places the franchise tag on him. It would be similar to what we saw with Davante Adams and the Green Bay Packers last offseason.
Related: Updated NFL salary cap situations for all 32 teams
Other NFL trade rumors
- The Las Vegas Raiders reportedly have Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller and wide receiver Hunter Renfrow on the trade block. It seems as if head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler want to create a different atmosphere around the organization after a disappointing six-win season.
- Houston Texans wide receiber Brandin Cooks is not happy about wasting away with a losing organization and wants to move on to a contender. It was one of the major NFL trade rumors leading up to the in-season deadline. With six career 1,000-yard seasons under his belt, there’s going to be interest in Cooks.
- While there’s no concrete rumors on this front, Aaron Donald is someone to keep an eye on. The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year briefly indicated that he had retired via social media before taking it back. But the defensive tackle has not committed to returning to the Rams for another season. With Los Angeles’ terrible cap situation, this is a blockbuster that could make sense.
This article was originally published on Sportsnaut.com and is republished here with permission.
