|
As the NFL world waits for the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets to iron out the details of an Aaron Rodgers trade, other players also need a change of scenery.
Players request permission to seek a trade for a variety of reasons: playing time, a new contract or a better team fit.
According to NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe, the Tennessee Titans wanted two-time All-Pro safety Kevin Byard to take a pay cut, but he doesn’t plan to accept a reduced salary. While the two sides don’t see eye to eye on financial matters, Byard hasn’t requested a trade yet, which leaves time for a resolution.
Several other players have likely gone past the point of no return with their respective clubs because of financial aspirations, the loss of a starting position or the direction of the club. We’ll highlight eight players who must move on to a situation that better suits them, providing the best team fit for each veteran in 2023.
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
Best Team Fit: Seattle Seahawks
The Kansas City Chiefs selected Clyde Edwards-Helaire in the first round of the 2020 draft, but he tumbled down the running back depth chart this past season, falling behind Isiah Pacheco, who came out of Rutgers as a seventh-round pick in 2022.
By the end of the 2022 term, Pacheco handled the lion’s share of the Chiefs’ carries and finished with a team-leading 830 rushing yards with five touchdowns. In Super Bowl 57, Kansas City listed Edwards-Helaire as a healthy scratch, going with Pacheco, Jerick McKinnon and Ronald Jones at running back.
Buried in the running back rotation, Edwards-Helaire needs to go elsewhere for a bounce-back campaign. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, some teams will eye the Chiefs ball-carrier as a trade option.
Because of a sluggish running back market, Kansas City shouldn’t expect much in return for Edwards-Helaire—maybe a late-round pick.
The Seattle Seahawks should push to acquire Edwards-Helaire to replace Rashaad Penny, who signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency.
The Seahawks can pair Kenneth Walker III and Edwards-Helaire in their backfield. The former would handle early-down touches while the latter carves out a pass-catching role on third down. Edwards-Helaire has hauled in 72 passes for 577 yards and six touchdowns in 33 games.
WR DeAndre Hopkins
Best Team Fit: Kansas City Chiefs
The Arizona Cardinals will likely trade DeAndre Hopkins in the near future. According to Mike Jurecki of the Arizona Football Daily podcast, the club has trade parameters in place, and it wants a second-round pick along with a conditional pick or player.
Despite recent injuries and a six-game suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy, Hopkins is still a top-notch wideout. The 30-year-old receiver finished 10th in receiving yards per game (79.7) last season.
If the Cardinals want a second-rounder and a later pick or player for Hopkins, they’ll likely field calls from several suitors. Don’t be surprised if the Kansas City Chiefs make an offer.
Kansas City lost wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster to the New England Patriots in free agency, and it could lose Mecole Hardman as well. In his post-combine notes, NBC Sports Edge’s Matthew Berry heard that the Chiefs “really like Allen Lazard.” The former Green Bay Packers wideout signed with the New York Jets, per Jordan Schultz of The Score.
So, the Chiefs could lose two wideouts, and one of their reported free-agent targets at the position signed with the Jets. By the way, tight end Travis Kelce will turn 34 years old in October.
The Chiefs can make room for Hopkins, who’s willing to be “flexible” with the final two years of his contract. Kansas City has $14.1 million in cap space, though the front office can restructure Patrick Mahomes’ contract to save $23.9 million.
With a chance to play with the 2022 league MVP in Mahomes on the reigning championship squad, Hopkins may revert to his All-Pro form in a pass-heavy offense that doesn’t have a No. 1 wide receiver.