Bears Not Expected To Trade CB Jaylon Johnson
On a day when the Bears have made one major addition, they do not appear poised to subtract significantly from their roster. Chicago is expected to retain cornerback Jaylon Johnson, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. 
[RELATED: Bears Acquire Montez Sweat From Commanders]
Johnson’s already-murky future with the Bears saw a notable development earlier today when he was given permission to seek a trade. To no surprise, interest in the 24-year-old picked up with the 49ers and Bills among the team conducting trade talks on a potential Johnson swap. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune notes that the Bears put a high price on Johnson, which has no doubt limited how willing contenders have been to acquire him.
The former second-rounder is in a contract year, and his financial status is at the heart of the uncertainty surrounding his tenure in the Windy City. Johnson recently indicated that talks on an extension were set to pick up, but no serious ground appears to have been gained in that regard. Any acquiring team would have needed to hand out a lucrative new pact upon his arrival, or used the franchise tag on him. The latter move would carry a cost of roughly $19.5MM in 2024. CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson reports no in-season extension talks will be held in the wake of a trade not materializing.
Johnson and his camp may very well have used the past few hours to gauge his market with respect to his value on a second contract. No serious suitors emerging could be a sign he is not viewed as being worth a CB1-level investment, though the depth in which a potential trade was discussed is not currently known. On that point, the Bills made an “aggressive attempt” for the Utah alum, per Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz. For the time being, Johnson – who has remained an anchor of the Bears’ secondary and recorded a pair of interceptions and four pass deflections this year – can continue his fourth season in Chicago knowing he will close out the campaign there ahead of what will no doubt be an interesting offseason in his case.
Lions Acquire WR Donovan Peoples-Jones From Browns
The latest receiver trade of the 2023 season has emerged. Donovan Peoples-Jones is on his way from the Browns to the Lions, as first reported by Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com. 
The move is now official, and NFL Network’s Pelissero notes Cleveland will receive a 2025 sixth-round pick in exchange. Peoples-Jones, a Detroit native, will now take part in a homecoming to close out the final season of his rookie contract. He will look to add at least a depth presence in the Lions’ receiving corps.
The Michigan alum took on a starting role in his second season, and he has remained a constant presence in the Browns’ passing game since. Peoples-Jones saw his receiving total grow from 304 yards as a rookie to 597 the following year to 839 in 2022. That improvement led to the expectation for further growth, but that has not been the case this season.
Amari Cooper has, as expected, served as the Browns’ top receiver since his arrival last year. 2023 trade acquisition Elijah Moore has also worked in a starting capacity, which has played a role in Peoples-Jones’ share in the offense taking a step back. The latter has made only eight catches this season, though he has also provided special teams value by continuing to operate as Cleveland’s punt returner.
The Lions have Amon-Ra St. Brown at the top of their WR depth chart, with the likes of Jameson Williams, Josh Reynolds and Kalif Raymond serving in complementary roles. Detroit recently lost a veteran contributor when Marvin Jones stepped away from football to attend to a family matter. Peoples-Jones, who owns a career yards per catch average of 15.7, will aim to give his new team another deep threat in the passing game.
Succeeding in that capacity could boost his free agent value ahead of the spring. Peoples-Jones’ stock has no doubt taken a hit compared to where it stood before the campaign, but a strong showing in Detroit would help him recoup value on a deal keeping him in the Motor City or one sending him elsewhere. It will be interesting to see how he fits into Detroit’s offense and special teams while the 6-2 Lions aim for a postseason run.
Commanders Receiving Interest On Jacoby Brissett; Vikings Inquired About QB’s Availability
The Commanders have already made one notable move today by dealing away Montez Sweat, but fellow edge rusher Chase Young isn’t the only other player receiving interest. Teams are calling on the availability of veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reports. 
To no surprise, the Vikings checked in on Brissett, Dianna Russini of The Athletic adds. Minnesota changed course and added Josh Dobbs from the Cardinals to add depth under center in the wake of Kirk Cousins‘ Achilles tear. As Breer notes, Washington has set a high price (a Day 2 pick, specifically) for Brissett.
The latter joined the Commanders this offseason on a one-year deal with $7.5MM guaranteed. Only $3MM of that figure is comprised of his base salary, so an acquiring team would be on the hook for a prorated portion of that amount. Brissett, brought in to serve as an experienced insurance policy for starter Sam Howell, has yet to see any game action in the nation’s capital.
The Commanders sit at 3-5 on the year, and their decision to trade Sweat to the Bears hints at commitment to work as sellers in advance of today’s deadline regarding other players. It would come as a surprise if Young were to be dealt, but Brissett is one of many role player Washington could be convinced to part ways with. The 30-year-old has been on the radar for teams looking to shore up their QB situation, and even with the Vikings passing on a potential trade, suitors could still emerge for him.
Brissett has made 48 total starts, many coming in 2017 and ’19 with the Colts. His most recent run of extended action came last season with the Browns while Deshaun Watson served his 11-game suspension to start the year. Watson has battled a shoulder injury for much of the 2023 campaign, and it would come as little surprise if Cleveland looked to reunite with Brissett to add quality depth under center.
The Commanders’ asking price would need to come down for a Brissett trade to be finalized, Breer notes. With roughly 90 minutes until the deadline, it will be interesting to see how willing teams are to add a high-end No. 2 option at the QB spot in advance of the stretch run and the postseason.
Bengals WR Tee Higgins Drawing Trade Interest
With just a few hours remaining until the deadline, big names continue to emerge with respect to being on the radar of interested teams. Bengals wideout Tee Higgins is drawing interest, reports ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. 
To no surprise, Fowler notes Cincinnati has no plans to pull off a trade which would send the former second-rounder elsewhere. Higgins’ future with the Bengals has nonetheless been a question mark for some time now, as 2023 marks the final year of his rookie contract. With free agency looming, he was the subject of trade inquiries during the Combine, though the Bengals shut down the notion of entertaining offers.
Higgins, like any number of young wideouts, will be in line for a signficant payday on the open market given the spike in the position’s value of the past few years. Talks on a Bengals extension did not come particularly close to producing an agreement, leaving 2023 as something of a prove-it year for the 24-year-old. Higgins (who has not engaged in a new round of talks during the campaign) has had a down year so far, failing to record a 100-yard game to date.
That marks a staunch difference compared to his previous three campaigns, which included outputs of 908, 1,091 and 1,029 yards. Higgins has proven to be a highly effective complement to Ja’Marr Chase, who will be eligible for an extension this offseason. While that commitment will be quite pricey, the Bengals are set to have veteran Tyler Boyd come off the books this spring, which could free up WR cap space for future seasons. Higgins could be viewed as a No. 1 option by an acquiring team, however.
It would come as a surprise if the Bengals were particularly active in any capacity before today’s deadline. After a shaky start brought on by quarterback Joe Burrow‘s calf injury, Cincinnati now sits at 4-3 on the year, giving them reason to expect at least a wild-card berth in the highly competitive AFC is attainable. Subtracting Higgins from the team’s offense would deal a notable blow to their immediate prospects, and knowing he would either be a rental or require an extension upon arrival would no doubt hinder the Clemson alum’s trade value.
Still, Higgins’ age and track record would make him an attractive option for any number of teams looking to boost their passing attacks. It will be interesting to see how much of a market develops for him, and if any interested party produces an offer the Bengals feel is too good to pass up.
Teams Calling Patriots On Ezekiel Elliott
Sitting at 2-6 on the season, the Patriots are expected to be sellers ahead of this afternoon’s deadline. That has led to a short list of trade candidates emerging, but a new name can now be added to the mix. 
Teams are calling New England to inquire about running back Ezekiel Elliott, Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report notes. Interested parties would of course be teams on the lookout for depth additions at the RB spot, a position which is not expected to see much (if any) movement today. Titans All-Pro Derrick Henry is the top backfield prize, but signs have increasingly pointed to him remaining in Tennessee.
Elliott saw his seven-year Cowboys tenure come to an end this offseason, with Dallas making the expected decision of releasing him. That move wiped out the remaining, non-guaranteed years on his deal and began a long-running free agent period. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones declined to fully close the door on a reunion at a much lower rate, but talks on that front never truly took off. Dallas has publicly committed to standing pat with its roster overall, but also the RB position in particular.
Elliott ultimately signed with the Patriots in August. His one-year deal worth up to $6MM is incentive-laden, and any acquiring team would only be on the hook for a prorated portion of his $1.55MM base salary. The 28-year-old has seen a career-low 37% snap share in New England, and that limited usage has produced 260 rushing yards (on an average of 3.9 yards per carry) and a pair of touchdowns. Elliott has eclipsed 36 rushing yards once in eight games.
The Dolphins and Ravens have been named as teams to watch on the RB market, despite their respective success on the ground so far this season. Both 6-2 outfits should nevertheless be considered buyers, and adding Elliott would provide experienced depth ahead of a playoff run. With roughly three hours remaining until the deadline, New England will remain worth watching closely.
Buccaneers Not Looking To Trade WR Mike Evans
Plenty of attention continues to be paid to the high-profile players believed to be on the trade block. That list does not include Mike Evans, and to no surprise the Buccaneers are not interested in shopping their leading receiver. 
During a Good Morning Football appearance, general manager Jason Licht said, “I’m really looking forward to Mike continuing his great career here in Tampa and extending his streak of 1,000 yard seasons here with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers” (h/t Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers).
Evans’ future has come into question after talks on an extension failed to gain traction during the offseason. The four-time Pro Bowler set a deadline of the start of the campaign for an agreement to be worked out. That came and went, and the team elected to let Evans play out the 2023 campaign ahead of a fresh round of talks and, potentially, a free agent period.
It was reported at the time that Tampa Bay had no intention of trading the 30-year-old, so it comes as no surprise that Licht has confirmed the team’s stance on that front. Mutual interest exists for club and player to continue their ongoing relationship, but talks on another new deal will be complicated by a number of factors. Evans’ age will be one, along with the existing commitment to fellow wideout Chris Godwin. The latter is on the books through 2024 and has a scheduled cap hit of over $27.5MM next year.
Evans has posted 507 yards and five touchdowns on 33 catches this season, putting him on track to yet again reach the 1,000-yard mark. Doing so would extend his streak in that regard to 10 years and help his free agent stock. The Texas A&M product would no doubt generate a healthy market on a short-term deal in particular, though the upward trend seen at the receiver position in recent years could lead to an asking price teams would see as untenable.
For the time being, the Buccaneers will move forward with Evans and Godwin leading their Baker Mayfield-led offense. Tampa Bay sits at 3-4, giving the team a realistic chance of winning the NFC South for a third straight season. Evans’ performance in the second half of the season will be worth watching given its implications on the spring, but it can comfortably be assumed his tenure in Tampa Bay will continue through at least the end of the campaign.
Eagles Eyeing LB Addition?
The Eagles have already pulled off a pair of trades in the build-up to today’s deadline, but more could be coming from general manager Howie Roseman. Philadelphia has been active in gauging the market with a particular interest in linebacker help, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated notes. 
That falls in line with reporting from the weekend which indicated the Eagles were on the lookout for help at the ILB spot. The reigning NFC champions lost both T.J. Edwards and Kyzir White in free agency as part of their defensive exodus, leading to questions about both starter-level replacements and depth behind them. Philadelphia has relied primarily on Zach Cunningham, Nicholas Morrow and Nakobe Dean at the second level so far this season.
That trio has helped the Eagles post the league’s best run defense in 2023, a feat which of course is also a product of their stout defensive line. The latter unit lost a depth member yesterday when Kentavius Street was dealt to the Falcons, a much less signficant move than Philadelphia’s earlier addition of safety Kevin Byard to give a needed boost to the secondary. Adding a veteran linebacker to the mix would further aid what the NFC East leaders hope will be another deep postseason run.
Breer names Jordan Hicks (Vikings) and Josey Jewell (Broncos) as potential targets. Both players have been mentioned as trade candidates, given their statuses as rentals and their respective teams’ presumed stance as sellers at the deadline. Hicks in particular has been on the radar of contending teams for some time now, and his $3.25MM base salary checks in at a slightly lower rate than that of Jewell (although both Minnesota and Denver could retain portions of those figures, which would be prorated for an acquiring team).
The Eagles entered today with $3.38MM in cap space, enough to make a low-cost addition at the linebacker spot or another position of interest. Given Roseman’s propensity to make moves at areas of perceived need, it would come as no surprise if a trade were to be hammered out in the coming hours.
Giants, Seahawks Agree To Leonard Williams Trade
The next major trade domino has fallen. The Giants are sending defensive lineman Leonard Williams to the Seahawks, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
In exchange, Seattle is sending a 2024 second-round pick and a 2025 fifth-rounder to New York. The deal marks an end to Williams’ time in the Big Apple and puts to rest long-running questions about his future with the organization. It will also give Seattle a signficant boost along the defensive front. 
As part of the agreement, the Giants restructured Williams’ deal. They will pay out $9.35MM of Williams’ remaining salary as a signing bonus, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. That will allow for proration into void years. As a result of that move – which will help the Seahawks absorb his remaining 2023 salary and his cap hit, and no doubt played a role in helping the price include a Day 2 pick – the trade will not be official until after 3pm today. Indeed, Albert Breer of SI reports the Giants will retain all but the veteran’s minimum before sending Williams westward. Another factor which drove up Williams’ price was the interest he generated amongst contending teams.
Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz notes the Giants had “several suitors” in on the 29-year-old. Seattle has outbid the other teams which showed interest, though, and they will now take on Williams for at least the remainder of the season (which calls for a 2023 salary of $18MM). The Seahawks will take on roughly $650K of that figure as Williams looks to contribute to a playoff contender ahead of free agency in March.
A three-year, $63MM extension signed in 2021 left Williams with the league’s highest cap hit amongst defenders this season. For that reason, many speculated that an extension or restructure would be worked out. The former Jets first-rounder made it clear he was open to another Giants contract, but general manager Joe Schoen insisted throughout the offseason no such move would be coming. After standing pat during the summer, New York has now swung a deal ensuring greater draft compensation than the team would have been due in the event Williams walked in free agency. As Pelissero’s colleague Ian Rapoport notes, the Giants knew the possibility of Williams departing in the spring was high.
The Seahawks entered Monday with less cap space than the roughly $10MM remaining on Williams’ deal. As a result, the Giants’ decision to retain essentially all of his outstanding compensation was necessary. While that will hinder their 2023 cap situation, it will provide some clarity moving forward with a number of other extensions on the team’s priority list. Seattle, meanwhile, will see another high-profile veteran join a new-look defensive front.
Uchenna Nwosu‘s season-ending injury helped bring about a Seahawks reunion with Frank Clark. The latter will help in the edge rush department, while Williams will aim to provide a starting-caliber presence along the interior. His 2023 performance (21 tackles, 1.5 sacks) has fallen short of his previous years in New York, but the USC alum will have the chance to boost his free agent stock on a Seattle front which underwent signficant changes this offseason.
Most significantly, that included signing Dre’Mont Jones to a lucrative pact in free agency. The former Bronco has registered a pair of sacks so far while logging a starter’s role on a defense which ranks eighth against the run. Seattle will look to upgrade in the interior pass-rush department with Williams now in the fold, though the team already sits in the top five in sacks (26).
While this will likely be the only major move made by the Seahawks ahead of tomorrow afternoon’s deadline, the Giants have been named as a team to watch in the seller’s category. They have made clear their intention of retaining Saquon Barkley, but other players could be on the move. It will be interesting to see how New York approaches its remaining deadline plans, and how much of an effect this deal has on the market for other notable defenders.
Packers, Rashan Gary Agree To Extension
While short-term changes to the Packers’ roster could be coming in the next two days, a cornerstone of their defense is set to remain in place for the foreseeable future. Edge rusher Rashan Gary announced on Monday that he has signed a four-year, $96MM extension. 
The deal comes as Gary is playing out his fifth-year option to finish off his rookie contract. Taking into account his 2023 salary of $10.89MM, the extension will pay out a total of $107.5MM to the former first-rounder and keep him on the books through 2027. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports the contract includes a signing bonus of $34.64MM.
Gary had a slow start to his career with only seven sacks across his first two seasons in the league. The Michigan alum took on a full-time starting role in 2021, however, and his increased workload produced an uptick in his statistical impact. Gary registered 9.5 sacks that year, leading to the Packers’ decision to exercise his option and expectations of a strong follow-up campaign.
However, an ACL tear limited him the 25-year-old to nine games in 2022. Despite showing continued effectiveness prior to the injury, it threatened to hinder Gary’s market for a new deal pending his recovery process. He rehabbed in time to suit up for Week 1, though, and he has yet to miss a contest in 2023. Gary made it clear last month he was open to negotiating a new long-term pact, and efforts on that front have now cemented his status as a key member of Green Bay’s core moving forward.
The $24MM AAV of the extension places Gary fifth in the NFL amongst edge rushers in that department. Nick Bosa‘s historic 49ers deal has set a new high mark at the position, and today’s agreement makes Gary the 10th pass rusher to eclipse the $20MM-per-year mark. He will now sit atop the pecking order (just ahead of left tackle David Bakhtiari and cornerback Jaire Alexander) as Green Bay’s highest-paid player.
Gary has recorded 4.5 of the Packers’ 19 sacks this season, giving him the team lead. Fellow starter Preston Smith has been floated as a trade candidate in the build-up to tomorrow’s deadline, with Gary’s extension on the horizon and first-round rookie Lukas Van Ness in place for years to come. While Smith’s future in Green Bay is yet to be determined, Gary’s is now taken care of for the foreseeable future.
Latest On Patriots, Josh Uche
4:47pm: Pointing further to Uche’s days in New England being numbered, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reports the Patriots have had “advanced trade talks” regarding the sack artist with multiple teams in recent weeks. To no surprise, Uche’s injury troubles have hindered his market, but interest from suitors and a willingness to move on from New England certainly remains in place.
11:06am: As the trade deadline approaches, attention continues to be paid to non-contending teams and their willingness to move notable players. That includes the Patriots, a team which has a number of trade chips. 
[RELATED: Patriots’ Kendrick Bourne Suffers ACL Tear]
Of those, edge rusher Josh Uche is the likeliest to be traded, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports. Uche is one of several 2020 draftees who have yet to sign an extension and as such could be had as rentals for the stretch run in 2023. An acquiring team would no doubt be interested in signing Uche to an extension as well, however.
The former second-rounder has not engaged in talks on a new deal with the Patriots, so it comes as no surprise that his name has emerged in trade rumors. Kyed notes that interested teams have called New England about all of their pending free agents – a group which also includes the likes of safety Kyle Dugger, offensive lineman Michael Onwenu and defensive back Jalen Mills. However, any more than one deal being finalized would be noteworthy, he adds.
Uche has shown flashes of being an impactful presence off the edge during his time in New England. That was especially true last season, when he logged 11.5 sacks despite playing only 38% of the team’s defensive snaps. The Michigan alum has not received an increase in playing time this year despite the absence of top edge rusher Matt Judon. Uche, who has missed the past two games due to injury, has a pair of sacks and six QB pressures in 2023.
Relatively undersized at the edge spot, the 6-3, 240-pounder has drawn poor PFF grades for his run defense and would be in line for a role as a situational rusher on a new team. As Kyed notes, the Patriots are set to have considerable spending power in free agency, meaning they may not be in line for a Day 2 or 3 compensatory pick in the event Uche were to depart on the open market and they made a notable addition to replace him.
New England – a team which has not only been open to fielding offers but has also actively spoken with clubs to gauge the market – would likely not be able to land a premium pick in return for Uche in the event they moved him. Of course, his value will depend in large part on the asking price attached to other edge rusher on the trade block, none of whom have been moved yet. For the time being, though, Uche’s name will be one to watch as the 2-6 Patriots sort out their plans ahead of the deadline.