NFL trade rumors are starting to pick up big time now that NFL free agency has hit its second and third tiers.
We’ve already seen some pretty big trades thus far this offseason, including the Miami Dolphins landing Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey and the Dallas Cowboys picking up multiple veterans on the cheap.
Below, we provide you with the latest NFL trade rumors as the offseason continues around the league.
Related: 2023 NFL Draft rumors
Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson requests a trade
The saga between Lamar Jackson and his Baltimore Ravens took another turn with the former NFL MVP taking to social media to indicate that he has requested a trade from the organization. Jackson indicates that said request came back on March 2, less than a week before Baltimore placed the franchise tag on him.
There are different layers to this situation. With the tag on him, Jackson can’t be traded unless he signs said tender in order to help facilitate a deal. The quarterback would then be free to sign an extension with any team that acquires him. There’s also a chance that another team could simply sign Jackson to an offer sheet, yielding two first-round picks to Baltimore should the team not match it.
As of right now, various reports indicate that two likely destinations in that of the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons are not interested in Jackson. The Indianapolis Colts also seem to be a long shot. Despite this, they continue to be linked to him. Indy boasts the No. 4 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, which could be utilized to entice Baltimore.
Aaron Rodgers situation remains unsettled
Aaron Rodgers just spoke up about the situation surrounding his Green Bay Packers and the New York Jets. According to the four-time NFL MVP, Green Bay’s asking price in a trade is holding things up. Rodgers, 39, has made it clear that he wants to play for the Jets next season.
Whether this happens remains to be seen. The Pack don’t have a ton of leverage in this scenario. If they want to add draft capital for the upcoming event, moving Rodgers this month must be in the cards. All the while, he will have to restructure his contract in order to make it work.
Kirk Cousins trade rumors to the San Francisco 49ers pop up
We’ve read stories linking the Minnesota Vikings Pro Bowl quarterback to his fomer offensive coordinator in Washington, Kyle Shanahan. These rumors popped up immediately after Shanahan was hired by the San Francisco 49ers back in 2017. However, the acquisition of Jimmy Garoppolo during his first season in San Francisco changed that.
According to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, there was renewed chatter linking Cousins to San Francisco during the NFL Scouting Combine back in February.
- Kirk Cousins stats (2022): 65.9% completion, 4,547 yards, 29 TD, 14 INT, 92.5 QB rating
There are obviously some complications here. San Francisco already has three quarterbacks on its roster in that of Brock Purdy, Trey Lance and Sam Darnold. It lacks draft capital stemming from the trade up for Lance ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft. Meanwhile, the Vikings would incur a near $39 million dead cap hit by trading Cousins ahead of the draft. Even then, it’s something to look at as draft season continues around the NFL.
DeAndre Hopkins trade market is limited
We already know that Arizona has given Hopkins permission to seek a trade. Coming off a 2022 season in which he was suspended six games for violating the NFL’s performance enhancing drug (PED) policy, it’s now being noted that Arizona might simply have to release Hopkins.
There are several issues here. Hopkins is on the wrong side of 30 and has not put up a 1,000-yard season since back in 2020. He would also count nearly $20 million against the cap for an aquiring team, meaning a restructure and/or extension would have to be in the cards. Right now, the Baltimore Ravens have been most linked to the three-time Pro Bowler.
Denver Broncos listening on Jerry Jeudy
On the surface, it makes little sense for Denver to trade its leading receiver from a season ago. Jeudy and Russell Wilson found a pretty solid connection. However, that’s just on the surface. The Broncos are high on fellow receiver Tim Patrick. They have pushed back against moving Courtland Sutton.
That leaves this former first-round pick as an ideal candidate to be moved, especially with his contract option deadline looming. Last season with Denver, Jeudy caught 67 passes for 972 yards and six touchdowns. Sportsnaut NFL insider Benjamin Allbright broke down this situation with some new information recently.
Indianapolis Colts shopping multiple starters
The Indianapolis Colts need to create cap space in order to start filling some of the holes on their roster after finishing near the bottom of the NFL standings. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on SportsCenter that Indianapolis is making center Ryan Kelly and tight end Mo Allie-Cox available for trade. A more recent report indicates that Pro Bowl cornerback Kenny Moore could be on the block.
While neither player is expected to net a strong return, likely Day 3 picks, Indianapolis wants to attempt to move them before it potentially makes them cap casualties.
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Allen Robinson still on the block
Los Angeles has torn down its roster thus far this offseason, trading Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey and releasing future Hall of Fame linebacker Bobby Wagner. We could now see veteran receiver Allen Robinson moved at some point soon.
The Rams are still open to trading Robinson who they signed to a three-year, $46.5 million contract to last offseason. In 10 games with Los Angeles last season, Robinson caught just 33 passes for 339 yards. He had tallied just 410 yards in his final season with the Bears back in 2021. With a cap hit of $10 million for an acquiring team, this might be a hard sell for Los Angeles.
Derrick Henry potentially on the NFL trade block
NFL trade rumors point to Derrick Henry potentially being put on the block. It should not be considered too much of a surprise given Tennessee’s cost-cutting ways under new general manager Ran Carthon, including the release of starting left tackle Taylor Lewan.
A two-time NFL rushing champion, Henry finished second behind Josh Jacobs in that category a season ago. He still has a ton of juice left in that tank and would be an ideal fit for multiple contending teams. Here, we looked at a few of them.
NFL trade rumors suggest Jets are unlikely to move 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.
With the Jets being linked to the aforementioned Aaron Rodgers in numerous NFL trade rumors, common logic seems to suggest that Zach Wilson is as good as gone from New Jersey. That might not be the case. Apparently, the Jets’ brass still believe he can provide something of substance moving forward. We’re not buying it, because a return to Jersey would be all sorts of awkward.
San Francisco 49ers to listen on Javon Kinlaw
After signing one of the top free agents in that of defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, the 49ers are willing to listen on this former first-round pick. Unfortunately, it seems unlikely that they’ll be able to find a buyer. Kinlaw, 25, has appeared in just 10 games over the past two seasons with one quarterback hits and zero sacks.
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This article was originally published on Sportsnaut.com and is republished here with permission.
