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Saints To Start Spencer Rattler In Week 6

October 9th, 2024 at 4:50pm CST by Sam Robinson

A gargantuan gap existed between the Nos. 6 and 7 quarterbacks to go off the board this year, with Spencer Rattler dropping into the fifth round. That will not stop the Saints from the rookie being their choice to replace Derek Carr.

With Carr out for “a few weeks” due to an oblique tear, New Orleans is going with Rattler, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo report. The former South Carolina and Oklahoma starter will receive the nod in Week 6, being tabbed over Jake Haener as the Saints’ top backup.

Rattler will likely receive the call for at least two games, with the Saints’ Week 7 contest — a home tilt against the Broncos — booked for Thursday night that week. New Orleans hosts Tampa Bay this week. While the expectation of Carr missing multiple games surfaced Tuesday, this is the first news of a tear. This stands to significantly disrupt the 11th-year passer’s season. Carr played through a few injuries last season, a campaign that included two concussions. He has only missed three games due to injury in his career, with the most recent coming in 2017.

This will not exactly be familiar territory for the Saints. Although they needed to start Ian Book due to a COVID-19 emergency in 2021, this organization does not make a habit of using rookie quarterbacks. Carr followed Andy Dalton and Jameis Winston as the Saints’ post-Drew Brees starters. Brees, a 2006 free agency addition, was in place as the team’s starter for 15 seasons. Brees predecessor Aaron Brooks also was not a rookie when he began his starter tenure in 2000. Rattler is poised to become the Saints’ first multigame rookie QB starter of the 21st century.

The Saints have gone 53 years since drafting a quarterback in the first round (Archie Manning). That was not in play for the team this year, with Carr signed through 2026 and restructuring his deal this offseason, but Mickey Loomis and Co. did bring in Rattler after the wave of QBs came off the board in Round 1. Though, it took four more rounds for Rattler to hear his name called. Rattler went 150th overall.

Teammates with both Jalen Hurts and Caleb Williams and Oklahoma, Rattler started in between the two eventual NFL regulars. Williams supplanted him, leading to a South Carolina transfer. Rattler posted a Big 12-best 28 TD passes during the COVID-shortened 2020 season but saw Williams take his job in 2021, and while his two South Carolina starting seasons did not produce explosive offensive numbers, the experienced college starter completed a Gamecocks-record 68.9% of his passes last season.

Rattler and Haener battled for the QB2 job this summer. Despite the latter receiving a skin cancer diagnosis, he did not land on the Saints’ reserve/NFI list. Haener, a 2023 fourth-round pick, is on New Orleans’ 53-man roster but will back up Rattler this week.

The Carr component here certainly brings trouble for a Saints team that has lost three straight. The Saints’ schedule is not particularly daunting following the Bucs and Broncos matchups, with the Chargers and Panthers on tap in Weeks 8 and 9 (in the event of a Carr IR move). But the team needs to recapture its early-season form soon. Rattler being thrown into the fire will make that more difficult than it otherwise would be.

Derek Carr Expected To Miss Time; Saints Could Start QB Spencer Rattler

October 8th, 2024 at 4:52pm CST by Adam La Rose

The oblique injury Derek Carr suffered last night could hinder the Saints’ offense for the time being. The team’s starting quarterback is expected to miss multiple games, Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network report.

New Orleans is set to play the Buccaneers on Sunday followed by a Thursday night matchup with the Broncos. That quick turnaround will make it challenging for Carr to suit up for each (or potentially either) game during that span, meaning the Saints will likely need to turn to a new starter under center. The team’s offense has generally outperformed expectations to date in 2024, so Carr’s absence will be notable.

The four-time Pro Bowler – much like the Saints themselves – had a middling campaign in 2023, his first in New Orleans. Klint Kubiak was brought in as offensive coordinator this offseason, and his work in installing a scheme much different than the one dating back to the Sean Payton era has paid dividends. Carr has posted a passer rating of at least 82.8 in four of his five games this year, with the team’s first two outings in particular yielding a major offensive output. For now, though, a contingency plan will need to be in place.

As Carr begins a multi-week rehab process, the Saints have Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener in place as quarterback options. The former impressed during the summer, one which included a direct competition for the QB2 gig. Rattler was the seventh quarterback to be selected in April’s draft, hearing his name called with the No. 150 pick (after the first six signal-callers were drafted with the opening 12 selections).

Rattler, 24, had a strong season with Oklahoma in 2022, but after a poor follow-up season he transferred to South Carolina. He eclipsed 3,000 passing yards in both of his years with the Gamecocks, but his 20 total interceptions during that span point to the issues related to turnovers which hurt his draft stock. Rattler could nonetheless be viewed as having more upside than Haener, who was drafted in the fourth round last year and did not see the field as rookie after his six-game PED suspension to open the campaign.

The Saints sit at 2-3 on the year, and last night’s loss was their third in a row. Rebounding over the next few games will be key to the team’s playoff chances as a result. That stretch will likely not include Carr, however.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/7/24

October 7th, 2024 at 8:33pm CST by Adam La Rose

Here are the minor moves made around the NFL on Monday:

Arizona Cardinals

  • Received one-game roster exemption: WR Zay Jones

Atlanta Falcons

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

  • Received one-game roster exemption: DT Mike Hall

Green Bay Packers

Philadelphia Eagles

New Orleans Saints

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Both Jones and Hall were issued suspensions under the personal conduct policy leaving them sidelined for the first five weeks of the season. Their roster exemptions will allow them to make their debuts in Week 6, but after that point a corresponding move will be needed for them to be permanently activated to their respective 53-man rosters.

Lemieux served as New Orleans’ starting center in Week 4 after being promoted from the practice squad. He stepped into a first-team role in place of Erik McCoy, who is dealing with a groin injury. Losing Lemieux for at least the next four games will deal another blow to the Saints’ O-line. Connor McGovern was added to the mix recently, but Lucas Patrick has received the nod at center to begin the team’s Week 5 matchup.

Raiders Aiming To Trade WR Davante Adams Soon

October 7th, 2024 at 12:29pm CST by Sam Robinson

By the time teams convene for Wednesday practices, Davante Adams may well have a new uniform assigned to him. The Raiders are aiming to be done with this process this week.

More specifically, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini indicates Las Vegas wants Adams to have a new home within the next 48 hours. Requesting a trade days ago, Adams is onboard with this timeline. While also offering that the Raiders want this deal done soon, veteran NFL reporter Jordan Schultz adds the team is still not prepared to settle for a below-market deal for its top offensive player.

The Jets and Saints remain the favorites, according to Russini, though the Steelers may be the top lurking team here. The most smoke has come out of New York, however, even if Adams is believed to have some concerns about Aaron Rodgers‘ post-2024 future there. The longtime Rodgers weapon had similar reservations about signing a Packers extension, with Rodgers in year-to-year mode at that point, and eventually made it known he preferred a Derek Carr reunion with the Raiders. That experiment fizzled quickly, and it is not hard to see why the Saints are involved.

Rodgers threw three interceptions Sunday, dropping the Jets to 2-3. New York’s two wins have come over downtrodden teams, and time is running out for the Joe Douglas-Robert Saleh-Nathaniel Hackett trio. The pressure on this Jets power structure makes it logical it would gamble on Adams by parting with a valuable future asset, rather than let their potential successors use it as Adams ends up elsewhere. The Jets have not been shy about catering to its quarterback’s wishes, so they should be expected to stay in this mix until the end.

The Raiders want at least a second-round pick for Adams, who is under contract through 2026. Mark Davis is believed to be resolute on that price for a player he was hesitant to give up this offseason. With Las Vegas in limbo, having again benched its starting quarterback (months after a trade-up effort failed), acquiring an asset for its top skill player has always made more sense than hanging onto a weapon that has seemed out of place for over a year.

A Saints arrival would require more Mickey Loomis cap gymnastics, but some of the odysseys the longtime GM has completed to reach offseason cap compliance certainly would not make such a journey unrealistic. The Saints, however, have barely $2.5MM in cap space. The Jets sit at $17.3MM. This would make New York a more appealing partner for Las Vegas, which would understandably prefer to avoid paying some of Adams’ salary to help the acquiring team. (A team obtaining Adams this week would be on the hook for $11.92MM in base salary, should the Raiders pay nothing.)

Though, this route can boost trade compensation, as the Broncos found out when they pried second- and third-rounders from the Rams for agreeing to pay most of Von Miller‘s 2021 salary. How much the Raiders would be willing to eat may well determine if the Saints are a viable option. The Steelers hold $10.5MM in cap room. If the Raiders move on now and not agree to pay any of Adams’ remaining base salary, they would save more than $19MM in cap space, much of which would stand to be rolled over into 2025.

Several other teams — from the Bills to the Browns to the Chiefs to the Commanders to the Ravens — have been tied to Adams. The Chiefs should be considered extremely unlikely for obvious reasons, and the Ravens have not discussed Adams with the Raiders in days. A Washington landing would be interesting, given Jayden Daniels‘ status as the runaway Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite, while Buffalo — after opting to trade Stefon Diggs — may be more amenable to meeting Vegas’ terms after Josh Allen struggled without Khalil Shakir available Sunday. The Bills have two 2025 second-round picks, via the Diggs trade.

Other wideouts are undoubtedly set to become available, but Adams being on the block early presents help nearly a month before the trade deadline. The 31-year-old WR’s hamstring injury is not expected to be an issue much longer. While a trade now would mean a higher base salary for a player who may end up a rental — as two nonguaranteed years at high prices ($35.6MM, $36.6MM) remain on Adams’ contract — but this is a rare talent who should have some productive years left. We appear close to learning Adams’ third NFL destination.

NFC South Notes: Panthers, Saints, Dennis

October 6th, 2024 at 10:11pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Bryce Young may have entered the game in place of Andy Dalton during the Panthers‘ Week 5 loss to the Bears, but head coach Dave Canales told media that Dalton would remain the team’s starting quarterback moving forward.

Canales explained that the quarterback change was more about limiting Dalton’s exposure behind an injured Carolina offensive line than it was about giving Young another opportunity to earn the starting gig, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. The Panthers lost starting center Austin Corbett and starting right tackle Taylor Moton to injuries during Sunday’s loss, forcing Canales to prioritize Dalton’s health with Carolina trailing by four possessions.

“We had a couple of injuries on the offensive line and wanting to get [Young] in there, get some live reps,” Canales said. “It was something where I wanted to get Andy out of there and just give Bryce an opportunity to continue some football in there while we had time.”

Canales confirmed that Dalton would start for the Panthers in Week 6, though it’s worth noting that he made a similar declaration about Young’s job safety after the former No. 1 overall pick struggled in Week 2 against the Chargers. Canales declined to offer any insight on the Panthers’ long-term plans for Young, and though his history as a quarterback-friendly coach suggests he could still get the best out of his young signal-caller, rumblings about a 2025 trade have surfaced. The Panthers rebuffed four trade inquiries already.

Here is the latest from the NFC South:

  • The Saints ruled tight end Taysom Hill out of their Monday night matchup with the Chiefs due to a rib injury. Hill missed the Saints’ Week 3 matchup against the Eagles with a chest injury, but returned to full practice participation the following week. He then sustained fractured ribs against the Falcons in Week 4, sidelining him for Week 5 and potentially beyond. Dennis Allen (via ESPN.com’s Katherine Terrell) declined to say how may ribs Hill fractured. Foster Moreau and Juwan Johnson will take on a bigger role in New Orleans’ offense with Hill sidelined, but his versatility will be difficult for offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak to replace. He may have to take some Hill-focused plays out of his playbook entirely with his unique offensive weapon absent from the lineup.
  • The Saints‘ offense stunned the NFL with its explosive start to the year, dropping 91 points on their first two opponents before cooling off in Weeks 3 and 4. Head coach Dennis Allen worked with Kubiak to simplify the offense for Derek Carr after years of complexity became ingrained in New Orleans’ system under Sean Payton and Drew Brees. Carr is making fewer adjustments at the line of scrimmage, while Kubiak has dialed up play action at a league-leading frequency.
  • Second-year Buccaneers linebacker SirVocea Dennis is not expected to return from injured reserve anytime soon, per Greg Auman of The Athletic. Dennis injured his shoulder over the summer but played in Tampa Bay’s first three games before leaving in Week 4 after aggravating the issue. The Buccaneers placed Dennis on IR on October 1, sidelining him through at least Week 8. Tampa Bay has relied on K.J. Britt to take on Dennis’ vacated snaps after the duo began the year splitting time on the field alongside veteran Lavonte David.
  • The Falcons restructured the contract of veteran defensive tackle David Onyemata recently, per ESPN’s Field Yates, creating $4.85MM of cap space. Onyemata remains tied to the three-year, $35MM deal he signed in March 2023. This update balloons the DT’s 2025 cap number to $16.93MM. For 2024, however, Atlanta now has just under $10MM in cap space, ranking 20th in the NFL.

Raiders’ Davante Adams Likely To Recover In Time For Week 6; Latest On Trade Market

October 6th, 2024 at 6:50pm CST by Adam La Rose

OCTOBER 6: Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Press-Gazette confirms the Steelers are among the teams which have called about Adams’ availability. As he notes, though, it remains to be seen how much interest Adams would have in heading to Pittsburgh and committing to the necessary contract adjustments for a deal to become feasible. Adams does not have a no-trade clause or other official leverage in determining his destination, meaning the Steelers remain in play as a suitor; whether they become a serious contender to swing a trade remains to be seen, though.

OCTOBER 5: Davante Adams will not play on Sunday as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury. That process has doubled as the intensification of his trade market, with several suitors being linked to an agreement with the Raiders.

Vegas is insisting on a trade price of a second-round pick and more to move on from the All-Pro wideout. Retaining some of his salary could take place to make that possible, but Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson writes multiple league executives view that price as “exorbitant.” Even with a lesser financial acquisition cost, teams could be hard-pressed to part with signficant draft capital for player whose non-guaranteed salaries in 2025 and ’26 would essentially make him a rental, something a number of suitors view him as.

A long-term commitment in Adams would, on the other hand, especially make sense if it were to come from the Jets or Saints. Those teams have long been at the top of the list of teams mentioned as landing spots for the 31-year-old, whose preference would be to reunite with Aaron Rodgers. A deal sending him to New Orleans and thus reconnecting him with Derek Carr and receivers coach Keith Williams is also on the radar, though, and Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports Adams has “concerns” about Rodgers’ willingness to remain with New York beyond 2024 (subscription required).

While several reports still tap the Jets as the frontrunner in this case, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network adds the Saints have been the most aggressive suitor to date. New Orleans does not have the necessary cap space to swing an Adams acquisition, and the team is (as per usual) on track to require several cuts and restructures to attain compliance next offseason. Taking on Adams’ contract now and in the future would be a challenge, though bringing him into the fold could prove to be highly impactful in the NFC South race.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports, to little surprise, the Raiders’ preference would be to avoid retaining any portion of Adams’ outstanding base salary (roughly $13.5MM at this point). That could limit the number of suitors unless the asking price in terms of draft compensation were to come down, but many are still in contention as things stand. The Commanders may be among them, but even if not the Steelers, Ravens and Bills have made inquiries as well. Russini adds Pittsburgh – connected to non-Adams trade targets as well – is making an “aggressive” offer, although no deal with any team is considered imminent.

As for Baltimore and Buffalo, Robinson notes a second-rounder is too high of an asking price for a deal to receive serious consideration. The Ravens, per Schefter, have not been in contact with the Raiders for several days. The Cowboys will be without Brandin Cooks for at least four games, but the team has made it clear fitting Adams into its financial planning would be a tall order. 49ers general manager John Lynch‘s latest comments on a potential pursuit of the six-time Pro Bowler, meanwhile, suggested San Francisco is an unlikely destination. The same may well be true of the Chiefs, but they are positioned to test the Raiders’ stance on taking the best offer given their need for a receiver.

Rapoport’s piece notes Adams is likely to be healed in time for Week 6. Trade talks should heat up in the coming days, he and Schefter add, so further developments on this ever-evolving front can be expected. November 5 looms as the trade deadline, and as such the Raiders can still afford to be patient while attempting to cultivate the best market possible over the near future.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/4/24

October 4th, 2024 at 7:09pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s minor moves in the NFL:

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

New Orleans Saints

The Rams get Murchison back in his third season with the team. The veteran defensive tackle was placed on injured reserve before final roster cuts, but thanks to the NFL’s new return designation rules, Murchison is not forced to miss the entire season. Los Angeles designated him to return when placing him on IR in August, and after opening his practice window on Wednesday, he’ll have the opportunity to debut in Week 5.

Boyle found his way to Miami’s practice squad just before the season began after spending most of his offseason in Houston. Following another concussion for starting passer Tua Tagovailoa, Boyle was called up to serve as an emergency quarterback behind Skyler Thompson and Mike White. With the arrival of Tyler Huntley from Baltimore, as well, the room became too crowded, and it appears that Boyle will be the odd man out.

Perry is being waived shortly into his second year with the Saints. The former sixth-round pick out of Wake Forest only caught 12 passes as a rookie in 10 games last year, but at 6-foot-5, he proved productive with the long ball and in the red zone, averaging 20.5 yards per reception and catching four touchdowns.

Saints Sign Veteran C Connor McGovern Off Jets’ Practice Squad

October 4th, 2024 at 3:02pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Saints have signed veteran offensive lineman Connor McGovern from the Jets’ practice squad, per Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football, giving them another option at center after Erik McCoy landed on injured reserve at the end of September.

To make room for McGovern on the active roster, the Saints waived 2023 sixth-round pick A.T. Perry, per ESPN’s Katherine Terrell.

McGovern’s signing happened shortly after Lucas Patrick missed Friday’s practice with a new injury of his own, according to Triplett. Patrick took over at center when McCoy went down before moving to left guard in Week 4 after an injury to Cesar Ruiz. Week 1 starting left guard Landon Young moved to the right side, pressing Shane Lemieux into his first career action at center. Lemieux and Ruiz both missed practice on Thursday and Friday, so Patrick’s addition to the injury report leaves the Saints severely depleted along the interior of their offensive line. With almost 5,000 career snaps at center and several starts at right guard, McGovern was an ideal signing for a depleted New Orleans squad.

It is rare for a proven veteran offensive lineman to be available this late in the season, but McGovern played in just seven games in 2023 before a dislocated kneecap forced him on season-ending injured reserve. While he was sidelined, second-round pick Joe Tippmann took over at center, leaving McGovern without a clear starting job entering this season for the first time since he was a rookie.

While McGovern faces an uphill battle to play in Week 5, he has seven years of NFL experience and previously played under Saints offensive line coach John Benton in New York, so he could could have a shot at playing on Sunday. Justin Pugh famously came “straight off the couch” to start for the Giants last season, and McGovern could be in a similar position this week.

The Saints’ offense leads the NFL in under center and play action rate, two staples of Klint Kubiak‘s offense that make life easier for offensive linemen. With plenty of experience under his belt, it would not be surprising to see McGovern learn the Saints playbook and take the field if necessary in Week 5.

Waiving Perry is a somewhat surprising move by the Saints after they drafted him in the sixth round of the 2023 draft. New Orleans sent Adam Trautman and a seventh-rounder to the Broncos in exchange for the pick they used on Perry, who made the 53-man roster and appeared in 10 games as a rookie. He emerged as a deep threat later in the season, averaging 20.5 yards on his 12 receptions. Perry was listed as the third wide receiver on the Saints’ depth chart, but will now have to clear waivers and potentially sign with the practice squad to stay in New Orleans.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/3/24

October 3rd, 2024 at 7:33pm CST by Ely Allen

Thursday’s minor transactions from around the NFL:

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New Orleans Saints

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Phillips’ spot on the 53-man roster was filled today when Miami signed outside linebacker Tyus Bowser from Seattle’s practice squad.

The young running back in Baltimore will have his 21-day practice window opened as he attempts to come back from injury after being placed on injured reserve the day of the season opener.

Jets, Cowboys Inquire On Raiders’ Davante Adams; Bills, Saints, Steelers In Mix

October 2nd, 2024 at 10:02pm CST by Sam Robinson

Early in the Davante Adams market, the obvious trade suitor does look to be readying a pursuit. Linked to the wide receiver since acquiring Aaron Rodgers, the Jets are in on the disgruntled Raiders wide receiver.

They have reached out to the Raiders on Adams, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, who adds the Cowboys have done the same in what may be a drawn-out sweepstakes. Adams also would be interested in joining the Jets, as veteran NFL reporter Jordan Schultz indicates they are one of his preferred destinations.

Rodgers has been lobbying the Jets to make the move, per Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline, who indicates teams beyond New York and Dallas are expected to be part of this derby. It is not known how interested other teams are just yet, but Pauline notes the Bills, Saints and Steelers join the Jets in being the most interested parties presently.

Seeking a package worth a second-round pick and change, the Raiders are prepared to wait. While Adams wants out now and has been frustrated about his situation dating back to the Raiders’ Jimmy Garoppolo signing, the team has more than a month until this year’s trade deadline, which was moved back one week — to November 5 — via an offseason vote. It appears unlikely Adams will suit up before that point.

As the Raiders seek a second-rounder-headlined package, Pauline floats that a first-round choice being put on the table would move the deal across the goal line. Though, Adams is a high-priced player who will turn 32 before season’s end. Still, he probably will be the top wide receiver available ahead of this year’s deadline.

Despite looming as an obvious trade candidate dating back to last season, Adams had repeatedly indicated he did not want to be moved. That has since changed, with the situation escalating. Antonio Pierce liking an Instagram post about a potential Adams trade has apparently catalyzed these proceedings. Adams officially requested a trade Monday, per The Athletic’s Vic Tafur. Pierce is set to address this situation later today, but Schultz adds Adams’ camp approached the Raiders about a potential trade last season but stopped short of an official request. Adams played out the season, but the Raiders have drifted further away from the championship radar, which Pauline notes is a lead factor in the WR wanting out.

Adams has appeared out of place in Las Vegas, with the team’s decision to jettison Derek Carr one season into the wide receiver’s tenure planting seeds for this relationship’s deterioration. After spending his entire Green Bay career with Rodgers, Adams has seen the Raiders cycle through a few QBs. The Garoppolo fit, as Netflix’s Receiver showed, proved the most problematic. But the Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew stopgaps — as a Pierce-driven effort to trade up for Jayden Daniels did not come close to fruition — leave the 11th-year wideout in limbo. Teams have undoubtedly observed this as well, and this trade request will ignite one of the most interesting trade races in recent memory.

As the Bills, Saints, Steelers and Cowboys loom as well, the obvious issue that would impede a fit with the Chiefs will make such a move a nonstarter. Kansas City is not expected be an option for Vegas re: Adams, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. While the Chiefs are suddenly in need of a difference-making receiver after losing Rashee Rice and Marquise Brown, the Raiders being division rivals will not lead to any traction with Adams.

The Saints would appeal to Adams, Schefter adds. This would again reunite Adams with Carr, his longtime friend and former Fresno State teammate. New Orleans is 2-2, thanks to two impressive wins and two narrow losses, and a need for a wideout presence alongside Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed has existed dating back to the offseason. New Orleans only holds $2.8MM in cap space, but GM Mickey Loomis has proven adept at working around such hindrances. Adams also counts Saints wide receivers coach Keith Williams, who has been the receiver’s personal coach in the offseason, as a mentor, Schefter adds.

The Bills are also near the bottom in cap space, at $3.7MM. The Raiders can also pick up some of Adams’ base salary (a prorated $16.9MM) to improve trade compensation. Buffalo has attempted to play four weeks without a No. 1-level wide receiver, though Khalil Shakir has been effective and second-rounder Keon Coleman has shown promise. The Bills were in on DeAndre Hopkins before trading Stefon Diggs in 2023, however, and should be expected to kick the tires on receivers before the deadline. The Steelers memorably missed out on Brandon Aiyuk, despite agreeing to trade parameters with the 49ers. Adams would fit on an offense that features only one eight-figure-per-year contract (Pat Freiermuth‘s recent extension). While the Steelers are not known for splashy WR acquisitions, the Aiyuk pursuit shows they were ready to change that reputation.

Dallas has been lacking in CeeDee Lamb support since trading Amari Cooper, with its long-running Odell Beckham Jr. pursuit in 2022 and subsequent Brandin Cooks trade highlighting interest in augmenting its WR situation. Cooks and Adams were 2014 draft classmates, though the latter has proven to be a higher-tier receiver. He would certainly help a team that, thanks to the Lamb and Dak Prescott extensions, carries $23.8MM in cap space. The Cowboys have not shown interest in acquiring high-profile vets at other positions this season, but they appear willing to consider making an exception for Adams.

Circling back to the Jets, their HC-GM combo being on a hot seat — along with the perception this is currently a Rodgers-centric operation — makes them an obvious suitor. It would surprise if the team did not make an aggressive move here, even after signing Mike Williams in March. Rodgers said this summer he was eager to play with his former No. 1 target again, and the QB has not formed strong chemistry with Garrett Wilson just yet. The Jets carry $16.8MM in cap space.

This quintet each making an offer would strengthen the Raiders’ position, and 2025 draft capital would help the franchise’s 2025 QB pursuit. Adams will become $970K cheaper for a team to acquire as the weeks pass — on a contract featuring two high nonguaranteed 2025 and ’26 salaries ($35.6MM, $36.6MM) — and this may well be the top trade sweepstakes to monitor over the next month.

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