The NFL offseason is approaching quickly and with that means change. This off-season could turn out to be one of the wackiest with the Chicago Bears having the keys to the kingdom in the 1st overall pick. This particular draft class is stronger than others and with the NFL being weaker than it has in past years, a bunch of teams see this as an opportunity to jump the gun and become a powerhouse.
A major team to watch not mentioned is the Carolina Panthers. With no first round pick do not be surprised to see them sell one of their major defensive players to grab some capital in the early rounds. With that being said, let’s take a look at some trades to make this next NFL season more exciting.
Brandon Aiyuk to Kansas City for Their 2024 First Rounder
This would be a blockbuster for lack of a better term. With KC’s lackluster wideout group not putting up much production and making an offense with the best quarterback in the league look lost in need of a spark, Aiyuk would certainly provide it. The compensation for the star studded wideout would give Kyle Shanahan all the flexibility in the world to potentially pick his next boy wonder if Purdy proves not to be the guy in the playoffs or fill up a tackle spot with Trent Williams being out the door soon.
The main reason Aiyuk would not stay a 49er would be his extension is extremely pricey leaving the 49ers with more than 45 million dollars invested in Aiyuk and Samuel. For KC, this would be unstoppable and Aiuyk would quickly raise the rankings of WR’s.
Saints CB Marshon Lattimore to Philadelphia for Their 2024 First
If you’re a fan of football this guy is not a stranger to you. He’s one of the best at his position and potentially could be available this off-season. After missing 7 games this season with a high ankle sprain Saints GM Mickey Loomis restructured Lattimore’s contract by giving him an option bonus instead of a signing bonus. This essentially gives the team less dead cap in case of a trade. With good corner depth and the assets to replace him who else better to deal the DB to than the Philadelphia Eagles.
GM’s Mickey Loomis and Howie Roseman are extremely familiar with each other making 2 trades in the last 3 years. Lattimore would quickly improve this abysmal secondary and make the Eagles contenders again.
Davante Adams to NYJ for the 72nd Overall Pick and Conditional 2025 5th
What a story this would be, Davante Adams to the New York Jets to reunite with his old pal Aaron Rodgers. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter the Jets are expected to pursue a trade for the star WR. The Jets have invested a wagon of draft picks into Rodgers and coming off what is known as one of the worst football injuries, an Achilles tear, they will make sure Rodgers has everything he needs to succeed.
On the flip side, the Raiders need as much capital as they can get after firing head coach Josh McDaniels and the Garrapolo experiment all but failing Adams most likely wants no part of Las Vegas. The only thing stopping this trade from happening is the wideout’s 44M dollar cap hit (would likely be restructured, but you get what you pay for.
Justin Fields to Atlanta for the 43rd Overall Pick
This is one of the biggest wild cards of the NFL off-season. The Justin Fields conversation. Do the Bears keep Fields and decide to pay him in the coming years? Do they draft a generational talent in Caleb Williams and ship Fields off for more capital? It is a debate you could talk about for hours on end, well in this case the bears decide to reset the clock and go with Williams. Fields likely would go for a mid second which the QB-needy falcons certainly are willing to give up for a guy like Fields.
Fields is now coming off his best statistical year completing 61% of his passes throwing 16 TD’s and 9 INT’s but rushing for 4 more TD’s and 657 more yards. The Falcons could certainly be real contenders with Fields, especially in such a bad NFC South making this trade a win-win for both teams.
1st Overall Pick to the Atlanta Falcons
This trade is between the same two teams as the trade above only Chicago makes the other decision. The Bears stick with Fields and get another huge haul for the first overall. The Falcons give up the 8th overall, 43rd overall, a 2025 first rounder and 2025 second rounder and DL Grady Jarrett. The Bears have made it known they want to beef up their d-line by trading for Montez Sweat earlier in the year.
Grady Jarrett is coming off an ACL tear but was a monster before that and I doubt that would change much. Chicago is in a tougher division with the Vikings looking to make a splash and the Dan Campbell led Lions looking unstoppable will want to draft and receive win now guys. For the Falcons they get their franchise guy in Caleb Williams almost mirroring what their division rival the Carolina Panthers did last year with Alabama QB Bryce Young.
This is well-researched and thorough. Great article!