By Brandon Simmons
Trade SZN 2025 is Underway
With just a few weeks to go, the trade deadline for this year might have some big moves for 2025. Last week, the Cleveland Browns traded quarterback Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals. That might just be the least profile trade made during the season. Multiple reports have these teams and players expected to be involved in trade deadline activities:
- Russell Wilson and Alvin Kamara are 2 names that have emerged as big names to be moved but the Saints have denied wanting to move Kamara
- Trey Hendrickson has been a name thrown into the mix as of this week
- The Los Angeles Chargers are looking to add a running back amidst the injuries they suffered, while the Pittsburgh Steelers are rumored to be adding a wide receiver.
This is just the starting group of trade rumors as things can pick up closer to the deadline. The Hendrickson rumor seems the most believable, since reports have him linked to the San Francisco 49ers, who lost defensive end Nick Bosa for the year to injury – but also has had a contract dispute with the Bengals in the offseason and through training camp. So if not the 49ers, he definitely could find himself being moved. The Kamara rumor seems unbelievable in terms of not happening. The Saints are a young, rebuilding team , with a 30 year-old running back. He might do some good on the Chargers alongside rookie RB Omarion Hampton. If New Orleans isn’t planning to move him, it’s because the right offer hasn’t come around. They would be foolish to not cash I n on whatever value they think can get for Kamara.
Baker Mayfield Joins the MVP Chat
This week’s MVP conversation is focusing on Baker Mayfield. The Tampa Bay QB has been exceptional this season with 12 touchdown passes and 1 pick. His latest effort came from Sunday’s win over the San Francisco 49ers, where he threw for 256 yards and 2 touchdowns without his top 3 receivers. This included a 2nd half 45 yard TD throw to rookie wide receiver Tez Johnson to extend the lead.
Baker Mayfield is making a strong case right now to be the MVP. It helps that he has 12 TD’s to one interception and is 4th in the league in passing. It also helps the stats match the wins as he has a league-leading 4 game winning drives. That lattter metric might be his strongest argument to win the award, as he has pulled this off on the road 3 times this year. His other strong argument is that his weapons have been depleted. Buccaneers’ wide receiver Chris Godwin has been sparingly in the lineup this year. Bucs receivers Mike Evans and rookie Emeka Egbuka have been holding things down but Evans was already out for 3 games before Sunday’s game and Ebuka got hurt during the game. Despite all that, Mayfield has powered this team to a 5-1 record. Who knows how longer he will keep this up but right now he is keeping this Buccaneers team above injured waters.
Brian Callahan Firing Triggers a Conversation
Monday, the Tennessee Titans fired head coach Brian Callahan but there might be a bigger conversation rehashed from last year. ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter tweeted out the last 4 QB’s taken number one overall, had their coaches fired during their rookie year: Trevor Lawrence, Bryce Young, Caleb Williams and now Cam Ward. Last year, there was a conversation surrounding the development of QB’s from college to the pros and it wouldn’t be surprising if that narrative comes up again.
This is another example of teams not preparing to receive a QB prospect that they hope to lead the team. Putting pieces around them is one thing but having actual coaching is more important to the development of said prospect. These guys come in with all the talent and accolades from college but that means nothing when they’re competing against guys just as talented, if not more, and also quicker in the mind to attack a player’s instincts. The right coach will guide a rookie QB through that, including what to recognize in defenses on the pro level. Caleb Williams is a perfect example of this. Last season, he showed flashes of greatness but also flashes of getting outright benched. This year, under the guidance of head coach Ben Johnson, he is showing improvement in being decisive with his throws, consistently, and it has made a world of difference.
In the Titans’ case, there is so much more going on than developing rookie QB Cam Ward. Tennessee has been getting their behinds kicked since Callahan was hired. A few weeks ago they got shut out by the Houston Texans, which prompted Ward to say the team was “ass”. This past week, Titans defensive end Jeffery Simmons said the team had their worst week of practice. Mind you this was coming off their first won of the season. The head coach is supposed to set the tone for the team culture, which has a great impact on a rookie QB’s development. It seems that Callahan simply failed to do that, especially if said rookie’s biggest highlight is talking about how bad this team is in an inflammatory manner.
Shoutouts/Shutouts
Shout out Jake Moody for overcoming a lot for his game winning field goal. Monday, the Chicago Bears kicker made a 38 yard attempt to seal the win over the Washington Commanders. Moody was cut by the San Francisco 49ers last month then signed by Chicago last Thursday. He was inserted into the lineup after Bears kicker Cairos Santos got injured. Not bad for a first start on a new team.
Shut out more injuries. Sunday, San Francisco 49ers Fred Warner suffered an ankle injury that will keep him out for the year. An unfortunate circumstance for the Niners’ defensive leader.
Shout out Rico Dowdle who backed up his words with his play. The Carolina Panthers running back was set to start against his former team, the Dallas Cowboys, after Panthers running back was ruled out. Heading into the game, Dowdle tweeted that the Cowboys should “buckle up”. Well, if the Cowboys didn’t listen, they should have, as Dowdle finished the game rushing for 183 yards and left with the win. The former undrafted rookie felt a way about being let go from the Cowboys and let them know about it on the field.
Shut out and his hilarious sideline antics Brian Daboll. In Thursday night’s game, Giants rookie QB Jaxson Dart got hurt and had to go to the medical tent, so in comes Giants QB Russell Wilson. So while Wilson is on the field. The camera is showing Daboll frantic alongside the sideline, even doing so much as to peeking in the tent. Wilson tried to run a play — that was disorganized from the pre snap – but ultimately failed with an incomplete pass. That visibly set Daboll off who returned to looking for his rookie franchise QB to return. This was both hilarious and corny, at the same time. Obviously, he was emotional, because of the game, and emotions will make you act a little wacky. However, it really didn’t take for all that extra over a couple of plays of your starting QB being out. Run the plays, punt it and atart over. Simple.
Week 7 is rolling in with some critical matchups. The 4-2 Los Angeles Chargers are hosting the 5-1 Indianapolis Colts. It will be another test for Indy to see if they can beat a team with a winning record. Chargers have been dealing with injuries in their RB room but the pass game remains sharp. The game of the week will be the Detroit Lions hosting the Tampa Bay Bucaneers. Despite their injuries at the wide rwceiver position, Bucs QB Baker Mayfield has been playing at a high level and Detroit has been scoring like crazy up until this past Sunday. However, they might find themselves back on track which could make for a good shootout. But until then…I’ll holla.
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