With the NFL trade deadline looming, teams are looking closely at their rosters. They’re furiously working the phones looking for trades with the 2023 trade deadline approaching Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET. These moves have created a swell of players who are on the trade market. In addition, Kirk Cousins leads the pack by virtue of his veteran status and ensuing salary cap arrangement. As clubs continue figuring out their needs and strategy, a few important themes will shape the landscape of this year’s trade market.
Kirk Cousins: A Hot Commodity
Kirk Cousins is suddenly the biggest name on the trade market. He now plays as a veteran backup for the Seattle Seahawks, aiding Michael Penix Jr. His experience and skill set beyond that make him an attractive option for teams looking for stable quarterback depth. It’s the financial ramifications of bringing Cousins that really muddies the waters.
Cousins will be due an enormous $27.5 million for the 2025 season, including a $10 million guarantee in 2026. Any team interested in trading for him would have to absorb almost half of that existing salary. After Pittsburgh, the Atlanta Falcons placed the second most significant premium on Cousins as a backup grade. Golodoff writes that they’re asking for much more than other teams are willing to spend. These two dimensions together create an extremely difficult space for negotiation. Teams need to consider the advantage that bringing Cousins presents compared to salary cap implications Cousins adds.
The cost is a major reason some teams hold back. Other teams recognize the benefits of getting an experienced addition like Cousins on their roster, particularly as postseason stakes become more evident in the next few weeks.
Running Back Needs Across the League
Injuries have decimated rosters across the league this year. Due to this development, many franchises have recently shifted towards investing in the running back position. The New England Patriots need further reinforcements after Rhamondre Stevenson figured out to heel. As he will now 100% be missing Week 9, that’s a huge hole to fill on offense. TreVeyon Henderson has become a name to know as a potential low-end RB2 and flex play for New England. In the meantime, they’re pursuing trade opportunities while looking to improve their backfield depth.
In the same division, the Cincinnati Bengals weigh their contingency plans as Joe Mixon’s potential absence hangs overhead. If Mixon isn’t able to return this year, the Bengals will need to find another option to help energize their surprising offense. This new reality places additional burden on perennial contenders such as the Texans and Chiefs. Each team is already making moves to improve their backfields.
The Indianapolis Colts have something that no other team in the NFL can say—they’re 8-0. As they look to ride their wave of success into the playoffs, they should definitely find ways to strengthen their running attack.
Defensive Trade Talks Heating Up
Outside of bolstering offensive needs, a few defensive players have sparked interest leading up to this year’s trade deadline. Jerome Ford and David Njoku are two assets worth highlighting, though the Cleveland Browns have plenty of other interesting pieces on their active roster. Njoku could be traded if the right offer comes along for the Browns. It has to play into their strategic objectives.
The Cincinnati Bengals face a similar decision with Trey Hendrickson. If hope remains for quarterback Joe Burrow’s return this season, the Bengals may opt to retain Hendrickson rather than part with a key defensive player. Beyond player evaluations, this decision is a matter of strategic calculus on a greater scale as franchises balance present demands with long term visions.
The San Francisco 49ers are in deeply dire straits on the defensive side of the football right now. Injuries have plagued all three levels of their unit severely. They have to be in the market for edge rush help. To bolster their defense and remain a contender in an increasingly difficult division, they could look to make moves via the trade market.
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