Russini’s Latest: Broncos, Jets, Eagles
Dianna Russini of The Athletic has been especially prolific with respect to trade deadline reporting. As we approach the October 31 cutoff, here are a few of Russini’s latest updates from around the league (subscription required):
- Broncos wide receivers Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy have once again featured prominently in this year’s trade rumors. However, a deal has never felt imminent, and none of the current offers that Denver has received have come close to the club’s asking price. One general manager who has spoken with the Broncos told Russini that the team is not “selling cheaply.” Russini confirms previous reports indicating that cornerback Patrick Surtain is not available, despite understandable outside interest in his services.
- We heard yesterday that the Bills could be looking to move 2022 first-rounder Kaiir Elam, and Russini reports that Buffalo is looking into cornerback additions. She does not say so specifically, but it could be that the Bills are looking for a replacement for Elam, who has not yet lived up to his draft status.
- Rich Cimini of ESPN.com confirms that Jets GM Joe Douglas is willing to move running back Dalvin Cook and edge defender Carl Lawson, especially after both players recently expressed frustration with their current roles. Unsurprisingly, though, Russini reports that Douglas is not getting many calls on either player. Lawson is a healthy scratch for today’s game against the Giants.
- Echoing her report from earlier this month, Russini writes that the Cardinals are still not looking to trade wideout Marquise Brown, even though they have received trade interest in the contract-year speedster.
- They might be low on cap space, and they might have already made one significant trade acquisition in safety Kevin Byard, but Russini says the Eagles are still looking to buy and are interested in a linebacker. The 49ers are also working the phones and have interest in an edge rusher and a cornerback.
- Unlike the Eagles and Niners, the Chiefs, Falcons, and Texans are among the clubs that are expected to stand down at the deadline.
2023 NFL Cap Space, By Team
The countdown to this year’s October 31 trade deadline continues, and a number of deals have already been made. More will follow in the coming days, though, as contending teams look to bolster their rosters for the stretch run and sellers seek to offload expiring contracts and gain future draft assets. Much will be driven, of course, by each squad’s financial situation.
Courtesy of Over the Cap, here’s a breakdown of every team’s cap space in advance of the deadline:
- San Francisco 49ers: $39.89MM
- Cleveland Browns: $33.99MM
- Arizona Cardinals: $11.1MM
- Cincinnati Bengals: $10.78MM
- Tennessee Titans: $10.55MM
- Las Vegas Raiders: $9.16MM
- Chicago Bears: $9.06MM
- Los Angeles Chargers: $9.05MM
- Indianapolis Colts: $8.78MM
- Minnesota Vikings: $7.96MM
- Green Bay Packers: $7.55MM
- New York Jets: $7.17MM
- Seattle Seahawks: $7.16MM
- Carolina Panthers: $7.07MM
- Dallas Cowboys: $7.03MM
- Baltimore Ravens: $6.83MM
- Atlanta Falcons: $6.76MM
- Detroit Lions: $6.62MM
- Jacksonville Jaguars: $6.42MM
- New Orleans Saints: $4.67MM
- Buffalo Bills: $4.58MM
- Los Angeles Rams: $4.37MM
- Houston Texans: $4.26MM
- Washington Commanders: $3.78MM
- Kansas City Chiefs: $3.7MM
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $3.63MM
- Miami Dolphins: $3.49MM
- New England Patriots: $2.87MM
- Philadelphia Eagles: $2.81MM
- Pittsburgh Steelers: $2.55MM
- Denver Broncos: $1.22MM
- New York Giants: $991K
The 49ers have carried considerable space throughout the season, but general manager John Lynch made it clear last month the team’s intention was to roll over most of their funds into next season. Still, with San Francisco sitting at 5-2 on the year, it would come as little surprise if at least one more depth addition (separate from the Randy Gregory move) were to be made in the near future. 
Deals involving pick swaps for role players dominated the trade landscape for some time, but more noteworthy contributors have been connected to a potential swap recently. One of them – Titans safety Kevin Byard – has already been dealt. That has led to speculation Tennessee is open to dealing other big names as they look to 2024. Derrick Henry’s name has come up multiple times with respect to a deal sending him out of Nashville, but that now seems unlikely.
Several edge rushers are on the market, including Danielle Hunter (Vikings) and one or both of Montez Sweat and Chase Young (Commanders). Hunter nearly found himself with the Jaguars this offseason, and last year’s AFC South winners could be on the lookout for a pass rush boost. A mid-level addition in that regard would come as little surprise. In Minnesota and Washington’s case, however, it remains to be seen if they will be true sellers given their 3-4 records heading into tomorrow’s action.
A number of receivers could also be on the move soon. Both the Broncos’ pair of Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton and the Panthers’ Terrace Marshall have been involved heavily in trade talk. Jeudy and Sutton are on the books at an eight figure price tag next season, and the Broncos are unlikely to receive the draft capital they could have at prior points in their Denver tenures. Marshall, by contrast, is in the third season of his four-year rookie contract and could fit more comfortably into an acquiring team’s cap situation. The Panthers have allowed him to seek out a trade partner.
The Cowboys sit in the top half of the league in terms of spending power, but mixed signals initially came out with respect to their interest in making a splash. Owner Jerry Jones has insisted Dallas will not initiate negotiations on a trade, citing his confidence in a 4-2 roster which has been hit by a few notable injuries on defense in particular. Despite having more cap space than most other teams, the Bengals are likewise expected to be quiet on the trade front.
The past few years have seen a notable uptick in trade activity around the league, and it would come as a surprise if that trend did not continue over the next few days. Last-minute restructures and cost-shedding moves would help the teams in need of flexibility pull off moves, though sellers will no doubt also be asked to retain salary if some of the higher-paid veterans on the trade block end up being dealt. Given the spending power of teams at the top of the list, there is plenty of potential for the league’s landscape to change ahead of the stretch run to the playoffs.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/28/23
Here are the gameday elevations and other minor moves made around the league in advance of Week 8:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed to active roster: WR Andre Baccellia
- Placed on IR: G Elijah Wilkinson
- Elevated: DL Ben Stille, RB Damien Williams,
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: LB Andre Smith
Baltimore Ravens
- Activated from IR: WR Tylan Wallace
- Elevated: S DeAndre Houston-Carson, RB Owen Wright
Carolina Panthers
- Elevated: S Matthias Farley, OLB Eku Leota
Chicago Bears
- Activated from IR: DE Khalid Kareem
- Released: T Aviante Collins
Cleveland Browns
- Elevated: OT Ty Nsekhe, RB Jordan Wilkins
Dallas Cowboys
- Elevated: LB Rashaan Evans, TE Eric Saubert
Denver Broncos
- Elevated: WR Tre’Quan Smith
- Placed on IR: WR Brandon Johnson
Houston Texans
- Activated from IR: DT Hassan Ridgeway
- Released: LB Cory Littleton
- Elevated: CB D’Angelo Ross
Indianapolis Colts
- Elevated: DT McTelvin Agim, CB Chris Lammons
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Elevated: CB Tevaughn Campbell
Kansas City Chiefs
- Elevated: S Deon Bush
- Placed on IR: LB Nick Bolton (story)
Los Angeles Chargers
- Elevated: WR Alex Erickson
Los Angeles Rams
- Elevated: RB Darrell Henderson
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed to active roster: WR Trishton Jackson
- Elevated: LB Nick Vigil
New England Patriots
- Elevated: OL Conor McDermott
New York Giants
- Signed to active roster: WR Gunner Olszewski (story)
- Elevated: QB Tommy DeVito, OLB Oshane Ximines
New York Jets
- Elevated: WR Malik Taylor, OL Xavier Newman
Philadelphia Eagles
- Elevated: WR Julio Jones
San Francisco 49ers
- Elevated: CB Kendall Sheffield, WR Willie Snead
Seattle Seahawks
- Activated from suspension: WR Dee Eskridge
- Released: C Joey Hunt
- Elevated: OL Jason Peters
Tennessee Titans
- Signed to active roster: CB Eric Garror, DL Jaleel Johnson
- Waived: LB Chance Campbell, CB Shyheim Carter
- Elevated: LB Joe Jones, RB Jonathan Ward
Washington Commanders
- Signed to active roster: FB Alex Armah
- Elevated: CB Tariq Castro-Fields, LB Jabril Cox
Wilkinson’s loss will be notable for the Cardinals, given his status as an entrenched starter at the left guard spot. The 28-year-old joined Arizona on a one-year deal worth the veteran’s minimum in free agency after stints in Denver, Chicago and Atlanta. Trystan Colon replaced him in the starting lineup in Week 7, and that will likely continue for the time being. Wilkinson will be out for at least four weeks as a result of the IR move.
Ridgeway has been out since Week 1, his Texans debut. The former 49er joined the Texans in a move which allowed him to continue working under head coach DeMeco Ryans. Ridgeway ended last season on IR, so he will be looking for an extended run of availability in his new home. A veteran of 78 games (and 19 starts), he will aim to carve out a rotational role up front.
Peters was brought in by the Seahawks while they were dealing with injury problems at both tackle spots. Blindside blocker Charles Cross has since returned, so Peters’ most familiar spot will not be available if he is to make his Seattle debut on Sunday. The fact the latter is healthy and in game shape does mean, however, that he will be eligible to play in a 19th NFL season.
AFC West Rumors: Ross, Broncos, Williams
While Chiefs wide receiver Justyn Ross is dealing with some pretty serious issues off the field, his inability to get onto the field before then never made much sense to people. Yet, according to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, it was his problems on the field that kept him from making more of an impact.
After an incredibly productive freshman and sophomore year at Clemson, injuries and a bit of a downgrade at quarterback would keep Ross from reaching those heights again for the remainder of his college career. Even after those late struggles kept him from being drafted, many believed that a transition to the NFL, coupled with the opportunity to work in an offense with Patrick Mahomes, would result in a return to greatness for the former top-100 recruit.
Ross would spend his rookie year on injured reserve following offseason foot surgery but would finally enter the 2023 season ready to make his NFL debut. Instead, what we’ve seen is a role receiver who plays mostly on special teams while occasionally rotating in on offense.
Breer’s report claims that there are legitimate football issues keeping him off the field. While Ross is a big body at receiver, he’s not very versatile, struggling to create separation with speed or route-running. In an offense that requires its weapons to contribute in several different ways, it becomes less surprising that Ross is only able to find the field in certain situations.
Here are a few other rumors coming out of the AFC West, starting with an update on one of the Chargers‘ top missing weapons:
- Los Angeles has been tasked with running an effective offense without wide receiver Mike Williams following the veteran receiver’s season-ending ACL tear. While his status for this year is obviously not going to change, Williams underwent a successful surgery yesterday, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. This may not provide much solace to fans in 2023, but undergoing surgery at this point sets the expectation that Williams will be fully ready by training camp next year.
- The Broncos made an alteration to their ownership shares earlier this month, according to Mike Klis of 9NEWS. With the team’s chief executive officer Greg Penner has been handling day-to-day operations since the Walton-Penner group purchased the organization, the Broncos’ controlling owner Rob Walton transferred a block of his shares to Penner, allowing Penner to take the mantle of controlling owner in addition to CEO. Penner’s four children will also receive an allotment of Walton’s shares in the exchange.
- Denver cornerback K’Waun Williams suffered a setback from a preseason foot surgery that was reported this week to likely be season-ending. The setback required further surgery, which Williams underwent this past Monday, per Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette. The procedure on Williams’ left ankle reportedly went “very well” and will require a recovery period of approximately 12 weeks, allowing him to return in time for spring football practice.
Trade Rumors: Packers, Smith, Byard, Raiders, Broncos, Jeudy, Sutton, Rams
Attached to his second Packers contract, Preston Smith is signed through 2026. During a 2022 offseason in which the Packers released Za’Darius Smith, they reupped Preston Smith on a four-year, $52.5MM pact. With the team going through considerable change since that point, the soon-to-be 31-year-old outside linebacker is a name being tossed around in scouting circles ahead of the Oct. 31 deadline, Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post notes. It would cost the Packers just more than $4MM in dead money to trade Smith before the deadline, and the team has a clear extension candidate on the edge in Rashan Gary. Green Bay also used the No. 13 overall pick on pass rusher Lukas Van Ness in April.
In his fifth year with the Packers, Smith has two sacks and five QB hits. Smith posted 17.5 sacks between the 2021 and ’22 seasons, however. His contract would not be difficult for a team to absorb, with a March restructure knocking the 2023 salary to $1.17MM. No guaranteed money remains on the deal post-2023.
With five days remaining until trades are shut down for the year, here is the latest on potential moves:
- Kevin Byard refused a Titans pay-cut request this offseason, later agreeing to a resolution that helped the Titans afford DeAndre Hopkins. Even as the Titans fell to 2-4, the eighth-year safety did not request a trade, Terry McCormick of mainstreetmediatn.com notes. Byard, 30, still wanted to finish his career with the Titans, per McCormick, who adds the Titans became receptive when the Eagles inquired on the All-Pro’s availability. The Eagles sent fifth- and sixth-round picks, along with safety Terrell Edmunds, to the Titans for Byard. While Byard is a Philly native, he has played his entire college and pro careers in Tennessee. Jon Robinson‘s first draft as Titans GM produced Byard in Round 3 out of Middle Tennessee State; Byard is signed through 2024.
- On the wrong end of one of this season’s worst losses — a 30-12 rout at the hands of the Justin Fields-less Bears — the Raiders are 3-4. But the team is not shifting into sell mode just yet, with Tashan Reed of The Athletic indicating the team is still looking at buyer’s moves (subscription required). A pass rusher remains a clear target for the team, per Reed, though a move to separate from Hunter Renfrow continues to be circulated. The Raiders used the No. 7 overall pick on Tyree Wilson, but their plan of grooming the Texas Tech alum behind Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones combusted after Jones’ messy saga led to an arrest (and later a second arrest) before a release from the NFI list. Wilson has one sack so far, and Crosby remains the only Raider with more than 1.5 this season.
- While could certainly be classified as posturing, the Broncos are not committed to moving one of their receivers before the deadline. Trade targets before last year’s deadline as well, Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton came up frequently as trade chips this offseason. Should Denver not receive a substantial offer, The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider notes the team is fine moving forward with each and continuing to build on an offensive improvement after last season’s disaster. Jeudy, who is tied to a $12.99MM fifth-year option salary in 2024, has been viewed as more likely to be moved. But his value has dropped compared to where it was this offseason, which could put the Broncos to a big-picture decision. Sutton, whose $15MM-per-year contract runs through 2025, has been more effective in Sean Payton‘s offense. Although the Broncos will drop to 2-6 if they lose yet again to the Chiefs this week, it is far from a lock the team trades one of its wideouts.
- Rumblings about the Rams going back to the buyer’s well surfaced recently, but The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue indicates the team is not expected to be a notable player before the deadline. Sean McVay said recently the team would likely stand down this year, which will be a letdown for headline-driving purposes, considering what the Rams have done at past McVay-era trade deadlines.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/25/23
Here are Wednesday’s minor moves from around the league:
Baltimore Ravens
- Designated to return from IR: WR Tylan Wallace
Denver Broncos
- Signed to active roster: WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
Houston Texans
- Designated to return from IR: DT Hassan Ridgeway
Los Angeles Rams
- Designated to return from IR: TE Hunter Long
Miami Dolphins
- Designated to return from IR: WR River Cracraft
Seattle Seahawks
- Designated to return from IR: RB Kenny McIntosh
- Designated to return from PUP: NT Austin Faoliu
Tennessee Titans
- Claimed off waivers (from Cardinals): S K’Von Wallace
- Placed on IR: DT Taylor Stallworth
After being waived yesterday by the team who submitted a waiver claim for him at the start of the season, Wallace finds himself on the third NFL team of his career. While the trade that sent star Titans’ defender Kevin Byard to Philadelphia returned another safety in Terrell Edmunds, Wallace will come in and attempt to compete for some key playing time with Edmunds and Amani Hooker.
Humphrey has been promoted as a standard gameday elevation three times already, the limit for a practice squad contract, so in order to see any further game action, he needed to be on the active roster. If he is released and re-signs to the team’s practice squad, he’ll be able to be elevated three more times under a new practice squad deal.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/25/23
Today’s practice squad transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: WR Davion Davis, DT Jacob Slade
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: LB Donavan Mutin
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: DT Eli Ankou
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: QB Jake Luton, TE Jordan Matthews
Denver Broncos
- Signed: WR Michael Bandy
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: CB Zyon Gilbert
Las Vegas Raiders
- Released from practice squad IR with injury settlement: T Sebastian Gutierrez
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: OLB Quincy Roche
New England Patriots
- Signed: QB Malik Cunningham
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: CB Mario Goodrich
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: DT Marlon Davidson
Teams Calling Broncos On Patrick Surtain
The Broncos have a number of veterans who could be of interest in trades. Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, Garett Bolles, Justin Simmons and Josey Jewell reside among them. But Patrick Surtain may sit multiple tiers above his teammates as a potential trade chip.
Although previous reports have indicated the Broncos have no interest in moving their All-Pro cornerback, SI.com’s Albert Breer notes teams have called about the third-year defender. Surtain is signed through 2024, but the former top-10 pick will be locked down through 2025 once the Broncos pick up his fifth-year option by May.
[RELATED: Latest On Broncos’ Deadline Plans]
Then-rookie GM George Paton faced criticism after passing on Justin Fields at No. 9 overall in 2021, but the Surtain investment has doubled as the veteran exec’s best move with the Broncos. The second-generation NFL cornerback has been a revelation in Denver, sliding in as one of the league’s best defensive players. Surtain, 23, finished last season as a first-team All-Pro. While both Chris Harris and Aqib Talib earned that distinction in Denver in the years since Champ Bailey‘s retirement, neither was a candidate to become the NFL’s highest-paid corner. Surtain moved into that territory last season and remains the team’s cornerstone piece to start Sean Payton‘s HC tenure.
It is logical for teams to contact the Broncos on Surtain, seeing as they are 2-5 and starting a new era. Paton remains, but Payton is widely viewed as the top power broker in Denver now. Payton was in place when the Saints extended Marshon Lattimore; New Orleans paid Lattimore in September 2021, at the start of his fifth season. Surtain will become extension-eligible in January, though the Broncos having him under team control (via the fifth-year option) may delay a payment until 2025. Regardless of when Surtain is paid, he stands to become one of the NFL’s richest defenders.
Should the Broncos reverse course and consider dealing away their top player, a Jalen Ramsey-like package may be necessary to move the needle. The Rams sent the Jaguars two first-rounders for Ramsey in October 2019, ending a standoff between the fourth-year corner and the Jags. It cost the Buccaneers first- and fourth-rounders to acquire Darrelle Revis in 2013. In a different era (for running back value, at least), Denver needed to send Washington only running back Clinton Portis for Bailey and a second-round pick. That trade occurred in March 2004. Bailey spent 10 seasons in Denver, which added Harris near the end of the Hall of Famer’s run and signed Talib shortly after cutting Bailey. Surtain effectively took the baton soon after Harris’ exit and, barring a trade, should be expected to anchor Payton’s defenses beyond 2023.
NFL Reduces Kareem Jackson’s Suspension To Two Games
Kareem Jackson will not end up missing a month of time because of his spree of illegal hits. After being handed a four-game suspension Monday, the veteran Broncos safety has seen his appeal reduce the ban.
The 14th-year vet’s appeal effort will trim the suspension to two games, ESPN.com’s Field Yates tweets. This will sideline Jackson for the Broncos’ rematch against the Chiefs and a Week 10 Bills tilt. Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Brooks, jointly appointed by the NFL and NFLPA to hear the appeal, made the Tuesday ruling.
Although Jackson will be back sooner, he has still offered an unusual update to his career via this pattern of illegal hits. A Jackson penalty after a hit on a sliding Jimmy Garoppolo helped the Raiders hold off the Broncos in Week 1. Jackson was not ejected for that hit, but he has been tossed twice this season. The former cornerback’s end zone hit on Logan Thomas led to a Week 2 ejection, and that likely factored into officials’ decision to toss Jackson after another personal foul — for a hit on Packers tight end Luke Musgrave — on Sunday. After coming into the season known for making the successful transition from corner to safety in Denver, the 35-year-old defender added a notable chapter to his NFL legacy in what could well be his final season.
The Broncos initially brought in Jackson in 2019, giving him a three-year deal worth $33MM. Jackson played two seasons on that contract, and despite Denver cutting bait on the contract in 2021, the former first-round pick has agreed to one-year accords in each of the past three offseasons. He is currently attached to a $2.67MM deal that includes a $2.52MM base salary. This reduced suspension will cost Jackson just more than $279K. The nine-year Texan has started 68 games for the Broncos.
While Justin Simmons has long resided as the Broncos’ top safety, Pro Football Focus has graded Jackson as a top-20 player at the position this season. He has intercepted two passes, including a game-clinching pick of Justin Fields in Week 4. Simmons remains healthy going into the Kansas City rematch, but Denver is now down his top two sidekicks. The team lost regular contributor Caden Sterns for the season in Week 1. For the season’s first month, the Broncos were also without fourth-year backup P.J. Locke. But Locke, who made a game-sealing interception to close out the Broncos’ Week 7 win over the Packers, is off IR and in place to start alongside Simmons. Second-year cog Delarrin Turner-Yell, who started two games in place of Simmons this season, remains in the equation as well.
Broncos CB K’Waun Williams Likely Out For Season
One of the league’s most injury-prone teams in recent years, the Broncos have not seen as much trouble on that front to start this slate. But they have been without their slot cornerback throughout the year. That is expected to continue the rest of the way.
K’Waun Williams underwent foot surgery just before the regular season, and the Broncos expressed hope the veteran corner could return during the campaign’s second half. That is no longer on track, with 9News’ Mike Klis reporting Williams needed another surgery, one that is expected to prevent him from playing this season.
The surgery Williams underwent Aug .28 did not work, per Klis, leading to the need for a more extensive second operation, which took place Monday. This second procedure is set to sideline the 10th-year veteran for around three months. Barring an unlikely Broncos surge from 2-5 to the divisional round, Williams will not see the field during what would have been his age-32 season.
This is familiar territory for the Broncos, who have seen unavailability largely define their slot position post-Chris Harris. Denver slid the All-Decade corner to more of an outside role in 2019, upon signing ex-Vic Fangio Bears pupil Bryce Callahan. But Callahan missed all of that 2019 season and battled injuries in 2020 and ’21, missing 12 more games between his final two Denver slates. Letting Callahan walk in free agency after firing Fangio, the Broncos signed Williams — to a two-year, $5.2MM deal — to replace him. Williams played in 14 games last season but underwent knee surgery. Despite changing defensive staffs once again, the Broncos retained Williams this offseason.
Williams spent five seasons as the 49ers’ primary slot corner, coming over after a stint with the Browns. This will likely end up being the otherwise-reliable vet’s second full-season absence; he missed all of 2016 with bone spurs in his ankle, leading to a grievance. Williams re-established himself in San Francisco and joined Patrick Surtain in Denver’s secondary last season. But this contract-year injury will obviously hinder his 2024 market and, given his age, potentially threaten to wrap his career.
The Broncos have used both Essang Bassey and Ja’Quan McMillian in the slot this season. Denver waived Bassey earlier this month and gave the job to McMillian, a 2022 UDFA.