The NFL’s obsession with the world’s player athletic market has not remained on the sidelines for a long time, even around the league’s marquee events.
A few days before the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl 59 beat the Kansas City Chiefs, players from two teams not involved in the game were able to shift the spotlight. Cleveland Browns defensive end Miles Garrett was made public in his trade request, and Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Coopaup revealed the team’s plans to move him in the coming weeks. Also, while it won’t be official until the start of the new league year on March 12th, the lead-up to free agency is undoubtedly going to spark some conversations between teams about potential swaps.
Here are some notable players who could become candidates moving in this offseason deal.
Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams
Four years after being dealt with Los Angeles, Stafford was able to change the league’s power structure once more if he was to move. On its face, such a decision seems quirky to the Rams, who have come within impressive distance since reaching the NFC title game. However, coach Sean McVay remains uncommitted on the team’s plans when Stafford has a bond of just $4 million next season and doesn’t have a bond for 2026. The shortage of suitors takes into account his new environment available in this year’s draft class and his track record of adapting quickly to overwhelming passerby crops.
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Derek Kerr, QB, New Orleans Saints
Since Carr has no trade clauses, the saints do not have a wealth of options here. But in the end something may have to give the signal character. Signal pay is fully guaranteed a base salary of $30 million if it is on the roster on the third day of the new league year. As Kerr openly said he would refuse to cut pay, this likely is a question of whether New Orleans wants to expand the scope of the reset or move forward for at least a year. But Kar will certainly be interested in other places, so the saint must at least ask around.
Kirk Cousins, QB, Atlanta Falcons
Like Carr, Cousins has no trade clauses, so it’s hard to get a pleasant swap. Meanwhile, the Falcons have shown that despite pivoting Michael Penix Jr. as the starting quarterback, they don’t necessarily have to throw away the signature of a year ago of Marquee Free Agent. The team “was very comfortable moving forward with him as a backup.” But there is a clear ultimate appeal that Atlanta will organize a deal. That scenario is because by June 1st, it leaves the organization on the hook for $37.5 million out of the $65 million dead caps it faces with the release of Cousin. Also, if Signal-Caller is not released by the fifth day of the upcoming new league year, the Falcons’ plans should be focused within next month, as it is due to a $10 million roster bonus in 2026. .
Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets
Although Aaron Rodgers’ days are coming to an end, three years of losses and quarterback play on the subball appears to have hit Wilson. Wilson vented his frustration with a sideline explosion later in the season, venting his frustration while cutting his path to a career with 1,104 yards and seven touchdowns. Depending on Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey’s new administration, either get things right with Star Target or flip him over about what should be a substantial draft capital. But when Wilson brings things to life, maintaining one of the few offensive building blocks seems like a clear choice.
Coupapp, WR, Rams
Kupp already aired his dissatisfaction with the Rams’ intention to move him and his decision. The Super Bowl 56 MVP can be difficult to cope with his current contract, as he missed 18 games due to injuries in the last three seasons. This will require Los Angeles to accelerate the transaction to pay its base salary of $12.5 million in the future. Still, he’s set to turn 32 in June, but don’t discount the potential value to the candidate. Kupp could be a valuable secondary option as someone who can certainly work in the middle of the field and strengthen their run game with blocking.
DK Metcalf, WR, Seattle Seahawks
If there’s a strange guy in the Seahawks’ reception corps, it’s probably Tyler Rocket, who is 32 years old and has a $30.9 million cap hit net season. However, Metcalf has only one year left on his contract. General Manager John Schneider may be hesitant to immerse himself in the more expensive edge of the booming receiver expansion market, particularly as coach Mike McDonald shows his pivot towards the offense led by the ground game. At just 27, the ultra-tactile target could be interesting for one of multiple candidates looking for a major weapon in the passing game.
Deebo Samuel, WR, San Francisco 49ers
In January, 49ers general manager John Lynch dismissed the concept of generic, outstanding standouts, saying, “We’re not a business of letting go of good players from here.” Fast forward a month and Samuel’s demand for trade was granted. Wide receivers and team were able to patch things up three years ago when Samuel last kicked tickets out of town, but San Francisco will need to embrace new financial landscapes with upcoming Block Purdy extensions Considering this, it appears that a split will be seen this time. With Ricky Piersoll, the first round picks of 2024 and the fourth round pick Jacob Coynegue waiting on the wing behind the established playmaker bevy, all involved will move on. It’s the best.
Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
This will only be done in tag and trade scenarios, so the March 4 deadline will make it clear whether Higgins will be on the open market, or if Bengal will try to collect the line if it cannot expand. Masu. I agree. If he has received the franchise tag for the second year in a row, as a temporary measure alone, Higgins is owed a $26.17 million salary.
Christian Kirk, WR, Jacksonville Jaguar
His name had quite a few topics near the trade deadline before suffering from a broken collarbone that ended the season in week 8. A new establishment came, led by first year coach Liam Cohen, and Brian Thomas Jr. was founded as Trevor Lawrence’s GO. – To Target, Kirk certainly looks unnecessary on the Gulf Coast between his contract (a $24 million cap hit in 2025) and donations (47.4 yards per game ranking as his lowest output since 2021). But at 28, he could still be a meaningful contributor to another team.
Evan Engram, TE, Jaguars
Like Kirk, his position in Jacksonville appears uncertain after injuries were limited to just nine games in 2024. And pick Brenton Strange in the second round of 2023 got 40 catches and 40 catches in Engram’s absence and two touchdowns. Considering his looming $19.5 million cap hit and the potential $6 million savings if Jacksonville handled him, some degree of action has been sorted out.
Kyle Pitts, TE, Falcon
Note that Pitts, who was selected before All-Plos Jammer Chase, Penay Swell and Mika Parsons in the star-studded class of 2021, are not yet present in his previous fourth draft status. I’m doing it. choose. In January, Fontenot said: “When you bring such players with high players, you obviously expect a certain level. I understand that Kyle had a really good newcomer year. “Atlanta may not recoup much if he handled Pitts after averaging only 35.4 yards per game last year, but another team is hooked on his unrealized possibilities. It may be.
Trey Hendrickson, De, Bengals
Hendrickson called for a deal last year in the offseason, but was ignored by the Cincinnati front office. He responded for an overwhelmed unit almost everywhere else with the 17½ bag leading the NFL in 2024. As Hendrickson said last week with the “Pat McCuffy Show,” the performance was able to push things to a turning point. This stalemate could grow as Chase and perhaps Higgins are likely lined up in front of him for an extension. If Cincinnati isn’t finished early by finding a taker for the Premier Pass Rush.
Miles Garrett, De, Cleveland Browns
For now, it appears that Cleveland has star players exposed with their desire to play elsewhere. By referring to the general manager’s “Cleveland to Canton” statement in his trading request statement, it remains to be seen how long it will become a viable approach, particularly after Garrett ribbed Andrew Berry. Between the financial factors of the Browns’ significant cap outlook and Garrett’s potential contract expectations, and the difficulty of finding the right price for six Pro Bowl Pass Rusher, the Browns have signed and signed the deal. I’ll hit it. Opening yourself to that possibility can be very complicated. However, trades could be the most consequential move in the offseason, as they could rebuild some of the league’s competing classes and top of draft orders.
Mika Parsons, LB, Dallas Cowboys
Trade Parsons is nothing but a shock to an organization that prioritizes developing internal talent and not moving personnel in earthquakes. However, even remotely, the possibility was acknowledged after NFL networks’ Ian Rapoport and Tom Pericero reported that “there is an internal debate about whether to pay Parsons or exchange it for the king’s ransom.” It must. Jerry Jones has repeatedly shot down the concept of potential movement in recent months. The most likely outcome will remain a massive expansion, and he will join Dak Prescott and Ceedee Lamb to reset the market.
Denzel Ward + Greg Newsome II, CBS, Browns
Can Garrett’s declaration of grievance make other brown outstanding standouts noticeable at the door? Ward told Cleveland that the defensive fate would have a “major impact” on his own future. The four-time Pro Bowler, who turned 28 in April, was sure to get Premium Draft Capital if Cleveland chose to blow things up. Newsom has sparked some buzz about the deal deadline last season and could be a candidate moving to someday this year, but the acquisition team will undertake a payment of around $13.4 million due to the fifth year option. It requires sufficient flexibility to do so.
Jaire Alexander, CB, Green Bay Packers
The release is the most likely result of two Pro Bowl selections where they were able to play seven games in each of the last two seasons. Despite the flaws at Green Bay’s position, they’ll probably stick to that limited production given Alexander’s nearly $25 million cap hit will be the team’s third-largest number in 2025. There is no trend. It’s now more than $6.8 million in cap space, but it’s worth checking at least to see if the team will win a flyer for him.
Riq Woolen, CB, Seahawks
The first year under McDonald was benched for the opening drive of the December game for violating team rules and called out by the coach for a wandering focus that led to technical issues. Top cornerback Devon Witherspoon is eligible for an extension after next season, and Wool has only one year left on his rookie contract, so Seattle has the franchise with six interceptions and six interceptions. It may be time to assess whether you should try and find a buyer right now, winning a Pro Bowl nod in his debut 2022 campaign.