Jets’ Justin Fields Could Draw Trade Interest?
Justin Fields‘ Week 7 benching could be an early sign that he doesn’t have a long-term future in New York, according to Jason La Canfora of The Washington Post.
Fields signed a two-year, $40MM deal to join the Jets this offseason as the starting quarterback under new head coach Aaron Glenn. The fifth-year quarterback has made seven starts this year that fall into one of two buckets: good enough to win a game, and bad enough to impede such an effort. Some around the league believe Fields has been let down by iffy coaching, per La Canfora, who floats the trade notion after the QB was seemingly set to be benched ahead of Week 8.
Weeks 1, 4 and 5 fell into the former categories, while Weeks 2, 6, and 7 were in the latter. In Week 2, Fields was knocked out of the game with a concussion, and in Week 7, he was benched for backup Tyrod Taylor. The commonality between all of those games? The Jets lost them.
Taylor appeared to be the starter moving forward after Fields’ benching last week, but a shoulder injury sidelined the veteran for Week 8. That gave Fields another starting nod, and he let the Jets to their first win and highest point total of the season.
However, recent comments from Jets owner Woody Johnson indicate that he has already soured on his young quarterback, which has stirred speculation that Fields could be on his way out of New York sooner than expected. With quarterbacks around the league dropping like flies, a team might be desperate enough to try to acquire Fields even though he was just signed this offseason.
However, $10MM of Fields’ 2026 salary is guaranteed, and his release would add $22MM in dead money to the Jets’ salary cap next year. They already have $35MM of dead money remaining from Rodgers’ contract, per ESPN’s Rich Cimini, and would likely have to punt on Glenn’s second year in charge as they sort out their quarterback situation. Glenn himself may not be content with that decision – especially considering the relatively shorter leashes for minority coaches in the NFL – which may give Fields another chance to prove himself next year.
Taylor might need to show he is healthy before the Jets consider making a seismic move like trading Fields. Johnson’s comments notwithstanding, the team made a commitment to him. Bailing now would send a bad message, even if Glenn was preparing to bench his starter after Week 7. The Jets would also need to add QB help in that event, with only two passers on the active roster. Rookie UDFA Brady Cook (Missouri) is on Gang Green’s practice squad.
Chargers Sign S Marcus Williams
More than seven months after the Ravens released Marcus Williams, the veteran safety has secured his first post-Baltimore gig. The Chargers are signing the longtime starter to their practice squad, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets.
The Ravens designated Williams a post-June 1 cut this offseason, having demoted him during what became a disappointing tenure. Chargers GM Joe Hortiz was in Baltimore when the team signed Williams back in 2022, and after sending Alohi Gilman to the Ravens in the trade for Odafe Oweh, the Bolts will take a flier on Williams. This addition also comes as questions surround Derwin James‘ near-future availability after a Week 8 injury.
Los Angeles is also adding defensive tackle Kyle Peko to its practice squad and releasing running back Nyheim Miller-Hines from the 16-man unit. Williams joins ex-Ravens safety Tony Jefferson among the Bolts’ back-line crew. The Bolts also released wide receiver Luke Grimm from their P-squad, per ESPN.com’s Kris Rhim.
This signing comes after Williams took part in a Chargers workout late last week. The Bolts also auditioned Marcus Maye, Lewis Cine and ex-Raven Daryl Worley, according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. Maye was an in-season Chargers addition last year, while Worley was part of many Ravens transactions in recent years. This could have been an 11th team for Worley, but instead it will be Williams receiving the opportunity.
Baltimore could not count on Williams, who signed a five-year deal worth $70MM as a 2022 free agent. Injuries and shaky play defined the ex-Saints draftee’s Maryland stay. The Ravens benched Williams midway through last season and made him a healthy scratch down the stretch. Acquired weeks before the Kyle Hamilton pick, Williams could not justify his $14MM-per-year contract. The Ravens reworked the deal in January to precede a release. Although Williams met with the Panthers and Steelers this offseason, no deal came to pass. He will now accept a practice squad invite.
A Saints standout who drew a franchise tag in 2021, Williams is now 29. He has made 106 career starts. Known partially for a mishap on the Vikings’ Minneapolis Miracle play, Williams was a key part of the Saints’ late-2010s resurgence — an ascent largely keyed by the team’s 2017 draft class. He has 20 career INTs. While his recent play left much to be desired, the former second-round pick will provide experienced depth behind James, Jefferson and Elijah Molden. James, though, is not certain to play in Week 9 due to a sprained ankle suffered against the Vikings. Williams stands to provide some insurance in case James misses time.
Peko also worked out for the Bolts last week, per Wilson, who adds Raekwon Davis participated as well. Davis has been out of football since the Colts cut him this offseason. The defensive tackle signed with Indianapolis in 2024. Peko, 32, has played for five teams in nine seasons.
Saints To Start Tyler Shough In Week 9
The Saints are making a change under center, installing rookie Tyler Shough as the new starter and benching Spencer Rattler, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Rattler won a training camp battle for the Saints’ starting quarterback gig, but the team is 1-7 in his eight starts. Statistically, Rattler himself has not been horrible relative to some of the league’s other starters, but New Orleans ranks 29th in points scored and 27th in total yardage this year.
Shough, 26, was a second-round pick (No. 40 overall) in April’s draft who was widely seen as the Saints’ successor to Derek Carr. His age and draft profile as an NFL-ready quarterback raised expectations that he would start right away in New Orleans, but new head coach Kellen Moore made it clear in the spring that there would be a true competition in the preseason.
In the interim, however, Shough leveraged his draft status, the Saints’ quarterback situation, and new league contract precedent into a fully-guaranteed rookie deal, making it clear that he would get a shot at the starting job sooner than later. Rattler was expected to have a long leash at the beginning of the season, but it only extended out to eight starts.
Rattler was benched for Shough in Week 8, and though the rookie did not dazzle in his first extended regular-season action, he did enough to earn Moore’s confidence moving forward. Expectations will still be low for the rest of the season, as the rest of the Saints offensive line has struggled this season and won’t make Shough’s first start a walk in the park. Neither will a ferocious Rams defense that ranks second in the league with 26 sacks. But any progress Shough can make this year will give New Orleans a better idea if they’ve found a long-term starter or should focus on the 2026 draft class.
Dolphins Unlikely To Make Several Trades
Sunday’s win improved Miami’s 2025 record to 2-6. It would still come as no surprise if the team were to adopt a seller’s stance ahead of next week’s deadline. 
A number of Dolphins players have been floated as trade candidates recently. At least one move could of course be in store, especially in the case of a rental. A firesale should not be expected, however. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald confirms the team has communicated to potential buyers there will not be a clearing out of the Dolphins’ roster over the coming days.
Edge rushers Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb have been the most talked-about options in terms of targets on the trade front. Interest will no doubt continue to be shown on both fronts, with any trade being viewed as a rental in each case. It would come as no surprise if the Dolphins were to retain at least one member of that tandem, but even if both remain in place another EDGE deal could be in store.
Matt Judon has recently been mentioned as a trade target, and NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports (via Jackson) that remains the case. Signed not long before the start of the campaign, Judon has made seven appearances to date but he was also a healthy scratch prior to playing in Week 8. The four-time Pro Bowler has made just eight tackles in 2025 without recording a sack.
Judon’s snap share sits at 32% this season, which marks the lowest usage rate of his career. A change of scenery before the November 4 deadline would not be expected to result in a major uptick in workload for the 33-year-old, but he could still offer contending teams with valuable depth along the edge. Judon is a pending free agent, and taking on the remainder of his $1.5MM salary would not be a challenge in the event a trade were to be worked out.
Regardless of what happens on the Judon front, a relatively quiet approach to the deadline appears to be in store for the Dolphins. Questions about the franchise’s future on the sidelines and in the front office will linger if the team lands short of the postseason once more in 2025, but many of Miami’s key players appear to be on track to remain in place through the remainder of the campaign.
49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk Will Not Practice This Week; Ben Bartch’s Practice Window To Open
Injuries to key players remain an issue at many positions for the 49ers. Preparation for Week 9 will bring about a mixed bag of updates on that front. 
Brandon Aiyuk continues to rehab the ACL and MCL tears which ended his 2024 campaign. While progress is being made in his recovery, San Francisco’s top wideout will not take part in practice this week. That decision will further delay the point at which Aiyuk’s 21-day activation window will be opened.
“I think it’s week-to-week from here on out that he has got a chance,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said of Aiyuk (via Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Area). “It would’ve surprised me if it was this week, but that was just me saying that every week I think he’s getting closer to having a chance. Just not this week.”
Shanahan recently opened the door to Aiyuk suiting up for practice this week, but that will not take place. A return in November is instead still the goal in this case. Provided the 27-year-old can return to full strength relatively soon, his presence will be welcomed on a 49ers offense which has dealt with injuries under center and at the skill positions all season. Along the offensive line, meanwhile, a notable return is imminent.
The 49ers will designate left guard Ben Bartch for return this week, as noted by The Athletic’s Matt Barrows. Bartch has been on injured reserve since mid-September due to a high ankle sprain. Beginning tomorrow, though, his practice window will open. That will leave the 49ers with three weeks to activate Bartch.
The former fourth-rounder has started just four of his appearances with the 49ers, but that total will likely increase once Bartch is activated. He opened the season as San Francisco’s starter at the LG spot vacated by Aaron Banks‘ free agent departure. Provided that remains the case moving forward, Bartch will be counted on to provide stability along the interior of the offensive line. As a pending free agent, his play upon being activated will be key in determining not only the 49ers’ success up front but also his earning potential on the open market next spring.
The 49ers have used two of their eight IR activations for the season so far. Bringing Bartch back into the fold will lower that figure, with the same being true when fellow O-linemen Spencer Burford is activated (which should take place in the near future). Aiyuk resides on the reserve/PUP list, so his return will not count toward the IR activation count; when it will take place nevertheless remains something to monitor closely for the 49ers.
Rams Acquire Roger McCreary From Titans
Roger McCreary was known to be one of the Titans players on the trading block and he has now been dealt. The fourth-year cornerback is headed to the Rams. 
A trade has been agreed to between Tennessee and Los Angeles, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Conditional 2026 Day 3 picks are being swapped. The Titans will receive a fifth-rounder closer to the top of the round while the Rams are in line to collect the Titans’ sixth-round pick which ends up closest to the bottom of that round’s order. The swap is now official.
Tennessee traded away a fifth-round pick to the Rams last summer for linebacker Ernest Jones. As Ian Rapoport of NFL Network clarifies, that selection now belongs to the Titans once more. The team will also still have a pair of sixth-round picks once it is determined which of Tennessee’s three selections in that round head to Los Angeles.
The Titans have struggled early in the 2025 campaign to the point head coach Brian Callahan was fired less than halfway through his second season at the helm. A new front office setup led by football operations president Chad Brinker and first-year general manager Mike Borgonzi is in place, something which has led many to believe a number of players acquired by previous regimes could be traded away over the coming days. With only quarterback Cam Ward and Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons seen as being truly untouchable, it will be interesting to see if further moves are made after this one.
McCreary has amassed 38 starts to date in his career, with his heaviest workloads coming at the beginning of his Titans tenure. The Auburn product logged every snap as a rookie and handled a 92% snap share the following season. Since then, however, his workload has declined. McCreary has made just three starts in 2025, finding himself on the field for 60% of the team’s snaps while operating in the slot. A change of scenery will now put him in the mix to carve out a role in Los Angeles’ secondary.
The Rams have rotated Cobie Durant, Darious Williams and Emmanuel Forbes on the perimeter this season. That has left Quentin Lake to handle slot duties. He and McCreary, 25, will now compete for the top spot on the depth chart in that regard. Both Lake and McCreary are attached to the final year of their rookie contracts and are thus pending free agents. Prior to today’s trade, Dianna Russini of The Athletic identified the Rams as a team in the market for an addition on this front.
For the Titans, meanwhile, this move thins out their cornerbacks room even further. L’Jarius Sneed is on injured reserve, so losing McCreary leaves Tennessee with Jalyn Armour-Davis, Darrell Baker, Marcus Harris and Samuel Womack atop the depth chart to close out the season. The team sits mid-pack in terms of pass defense, but that could emerge as an issue moving forward as Tennessee (1-7) finishes the campaign.
With a 5-2 record, the Rams find themselves in a logjam atop the NFC West. After reaching the divisional round of the playoffs last year, making another postseason run is an obvious goal this time around. Further trades could be coming for Los Angeles, but at a minimum today’s deal will give the team depth in the secondary.
NFL To Review Ravens’ Week 8 Injury Report
A hamstring injury has kept Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson out for three games, but he’s expected to return Thursday against the Dolphins. The team announced Jackson was a full participant in a walkthrough on Monday.
As it geared up for a Week 8 matchup with Chicago, Baltimore erred in announcing Jackson as a full participant in last Friday’s practice. Jackson was in attendance for the entire practice, but he only took snaps with the scout team.
According to the NFL’s injury policy, “Participation on the scout team, no matter how extensive, by a player whose normal repetitions would be with the starters but for his medical condition, would not alter the player’s proper designation as ‘Limited Participation.’”
The Ravens issued a correction Saturday, changing his practice status to limited while ruling him out for the game. Despite Jackson’s absence, the Ravens defeated the Bears behind backup signal-caller Tyler Huntley.
Although Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said the team made an “honest mistake” regarding Jackson’s injury designation last week (via Saad Yousuf of The Athletic), the NFL is now reviewing the matter, Mark Maske of the Washington Post relays.
“The league will look into this,” a league spokesperson said. “The league reviews any matter involving a change to a player’s status.”
The NFL’s investigation into the Ravens comes with the NBA embroiled in a gambling scandal since last Thursday. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell sent a memo to teams on Friday “regarding the gambling policy for league and team staffers,” according to Maske. Additionally, the NFL Management Council sent a memo to teams regarding the league’s gambling policy for players.
Regarding the NBA scandal, the NFL wrote in the memo (via Maske), “These developments underscore the risks that all sports are facing in the current environment and serve as a reminder of the need to adhere strictly to the NFL Gambling Policy.”
The change in Jackson’s status on Saturday did not reveal “any unusual betting activity,” Maske writes, though it did lead to a significant change in the spread. The Ravens opened as 6.5-point favorites. That figure immediately plummeted to 1.5 after they ruled the two-time MVP out.
With the NBA in the midst of a PR nightmare, it’s possible the NFL will come down hard on the Ravens. Forfeiture of draft picks, fines, and suspensions could all be on the table. According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the NFL’s “Personnel (Injury) Report Policy” states that the commissioner “may deprive the offending club of a selection choice or choices, and/or may fine the offending club and/or may fine or suspend with or without pay any involved individuals as appropriate.”
Even if the NFL finds that the Ravens did just make an “honest mistake,” the team still violated league policy. Although it could be minor, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Ravens receive some sort of punishment as a result.
Vikings QB Carson Wentz To Undergo Season-Ending Shoulder Surgery
Carson Wentz‘s debut campaign with the Vikings has come to an end. The shoulder injury Minnesota’s fill-in quarterback has been dealing with will lead to surgery. 
Wentz played through significant pain in his non-throwing shoulder including the team’s Thursday night loss to open Week 8. Testing on the injury has led to the decision to undergo surgery. Wentz will be out for the remainder of the season as a result, as first reported by Dianna Russini and Alec Lewis of The Athletic.
Providing details on the ailment, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero add Wentz suffered a dislocation during the Vikings’ London game (Week 5). That caused a torn labrum and a fractured socket, something Wentz played through for another two contests before ultimately being shut down for rest of the campaign.
The Vikings have since moved Wentz to injured reserve. The 32-year-old was added late in the offseason as Minnesota’s depth chart under center was shaken up not long before the start of the campaign. Wentz would up taking on starting duties for a notable stretch after J.J. McCarthy went down with an ankle sprain. Minnesota went 2-3 in the games started by Wentz, who will now turn his attention to a lengthy rehab process.
McCarthy’s recovery has been closely monitored by the Vikings, but Week 9 is the target for him to return to action. Provided that takes place, the 2024 first-rounder will be able to remain atop the depth chart barring any further injuries. Minnesota will of course be in the market for a depth addition at the quarterback spot now, though, seeing as undrafted rookie Max Brosmer is the only other healthy signal-caller in the organization as things stand.
Wentz is four years removed from his last full campaign as a QB1 (when he served as Indianapolis’ starter in 2021). Since then, the former No. 2 pick has seen time with the Commanders, Rams, Chiefs and Vikings. Through much of that period, he has operated as a backup or dealt with injuries. Wentz inked a one-year deal to head to Minnesota, so he is a pending free agent.
This injury – and his performances when on the field – will hurt Wentz’s chances of landing a notable deal on the open market next spring. Nevertheless, he will represent one of the most experienced QB2 options available in the event he opts to continue his career when healthy.
Colts, Lions Seeking Cornerback Help
With the Nov. 4 trade deadline approaching, a couple of the NFL’s top teams are interested in bolstering their secondaries. The 7-1 Colts and 5-2 Lions are making calls for cornerback help, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports.
Although the Colts own the league’s best record, their success has come despite a depleted cornerback group. Their issues at the position began when they lost third-round rookie Justin Walley to a season-ending ACL tear in August. He had been pushing for a starting role alongside No. 1 corner Charvarius Ward and slot CB Kenny Moore.
Walley’s injury led the Colts to sign veteran Xavien Howard, but that didn’t yield positive results. He abruptly retired after a rough showing over the Colts’ first four games.
Adding to the Colts’ problems, they placed Jaylon Jones on IR with a hamstring injury after Week 1 and sent Ward to the shelf with a concussion after Week 6. The team has continued to win without them, though, and could get both players back soon.
The Colts opened Jones’ 21-day practice window on Oct. 22, which should lead to a return in the near future. Ward, meanwhile, has missed two games and is only required to sit out two more. He’ll be eligible to rejoin Indy’s secondary after a Week 11 bye.
With Ward and Jones unavailable, the Colts have been relying on the relatively untested group of Mekhi Blackmon, undrafted rookie Johnathan Edwards, Chris Lammons, and Cameron Mitchell to pick up the slack. While defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo‘s unit has persevered to allow the league’s sixth-fewest points per game (19.3), Indianapolis ranks a much less encouraging 28th against the pass.
Colts general manager Chris Ballard reportedly wants to acquire a “proven defensive playmaker,” an addition that could come in the secondary before the deadline.
The AFC South rival Titans traded corner Roger McCreary to the Rams on Monday, taking him off the board, but the Saints’ Alontae Taylor, the Seahawks’ Riq Woolen, and the Bengals’ Cam Taylor-Britt are among other names that have surfaced in the rumor mill. Taylor-Britt played under Anarumo, then Cincinnati’s D-coordinator, from 2022-24.
Any of Taylor, Woolen, or Taylor-Britt could also appeal to the Lions, who have joined the Colts in dealing with multiple injuries to notable cornerbacks. Starters D.J. Reed, a big-ticket offseason signing, and Terrion Arnold have been out of commission for the past few weeks.
Reed went on IR with a hamstring injury on Oct. 1. He’ll be eligible to return in Week 10, though it’s unclear if that will happen. Arnold last played on Oct. 5, but he’s making progress in his recovery from a shoulder injury. Head coach Dan Campbell said that Arnold will return to practice on Tuesday (via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press).
Despite the absences of Reed, Arnold, and Avonte Maddox (hamstring), the Lions stymied Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield and a banged-up receiving corps in Week 7. Amik Robertson, Nick Whiteside, Arthur Maulet, and Rock Ya-Sin led Lions corners in snaps in a 24-9 win.
Detroit is getting healthier coming out of its bye week, which could give general manager Brad Holmes less urgency to swing a trade in the coming days. However, Holmes is at least doing his due diligence with just over a week left until the deadline.
Steelers’ DeShon Elliott Unlikely To Return This Season
The Steelers lost defensive lineman Daniel Ekuale to a season-ending ACL tear in a 35-25 defeat against the Packers on Sunday. Safety DeShon Elliott, who also suffered a knee injury in Week 8, could join Ekuale on the shelf for the rest of the season. While Elliott’s ACL is intact, he’s unlikely to return this year, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
Elliott missed two games in September with a knee injury, but the 28-year-old has otherwise started in all five appearances this season. A former Raven, Lion, and Dolphin, Elliott has amassed 69 starts in 77 games since entering the NFL in 2019.
After joining the Steelers on a two-year, $6MM contract in 2024, Elliott totaled a career-high 108 tackles with six passes defensed, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, and an interception over 15 games (14 starts). The Steelers were impressed enough to award Elliott a two-year, $12.5MM extension with $9.21MM in guarantees last June.
Elliott was off to a productive start this season before exiting on a cart in the second half on Sunday. He has picked up 38 tackles, two passes defensed, a forced fumble, and an interception. Pro Football Focus ranks Elliott 25th among 88 qualifying safeties this year. Unfortunately for Elliott and the Steelers, it doesn’t appear he’ll be able to add to those numbers during the final 10 games of the season.
The Steelers are still atop the AFC North, but they’re an unspectacular 4-3 after dropping two straight games. Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco and Packers QB Jordan Love torched the Steelers in those contests. They combined to complete 60 of 84 passes (71%) for 702 yards, six touchdowns, and no interceptions.
Before a rematch with the second-place Bengals (3-5) in Week 11, Pittsburgh will face two other AFC contenders in the 7-1 Colts and the 5-3 Chargers. Losing Elliott heading into those matchups is an unwelcome development, but it appears the Steelers will have to proceed with Juan Thornhill, Chuck Clark, and Jabrill Peppers as their top safety options.