The Broncos are giving signals internally that a blowup is on the table, but when?
A few teams in the NFL right now look like great candidates to just detonate what they have to clear space for whatever comes next. The Denver Broncos may just top that list. Last year, they traded for veteran, Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson. Then, before seeing him take a snap in an orange jersey, they gave him a massive, multi-year contract extension... Guaranteed.
After a miserable single season with Nathaniel Hackett, they turned around and spent on head coach Sean Payton, who has not had any luck whatsoever turning this mess around.
Now, the Broncos sit 2-5. They've been reportedly likely to trade some defensive players and have already released Frank Clark. Jerry Jeudy is thought to be on the move.
Could the cuts and trades go even deeper? James Palmer said on The Insiders that feelings of a teardown are palpable, but this was on Oct. 9.
"The sense that I get from players in that locker room is a potential teardown is coming. That's just the way some of these players feel."
Since, Clark has signed to a new team. But what's next? The trade deadline is on Oct. 31 giving the team just a handful of days to wheel, deal, and get some draft picks for any assets they have on the books that desparate teams might be willing to trade for.
Jason La Canfora reported one NFL executive believes head coach Sean Payton wants to trade Wilson (subscription required). Two problems: Payton isn't the GM, and no team is going to take Wilson's contract.
Meanwhile, Albert Breer says that a number of players will have offers heard on by Denver. He listed Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, Garrett Bolles, Josey Jewell, Justin Simmons, and Patrick Surtain II.
Insiders are starting to discuss the possibility of a Deshaun Watson replacement
The Deshaun Watson situation is confounding. There appears to be little consensus, even in Cleveland, over the status of Watson's injury that has kept him out of games this season. With the trade deadline coming up quickly, the Browns need to decide if they're in or out this year, especially with their defense.
This past week, Myles Garrett and the Browns defense basically won Cleveland's game over the Indianapolis Colts. Watson started but had to leave the game. With that phase of the game rock solid, could there be validity in trading for a better backup than P.J. Walker or Dorian Thompson-Robinson?
Dianna Russini talked about it with Ryen Russillo on his podcast recently.
Russini, first, emphasized that she has been told by people in the Browns organization that at this point, Watson's lack of inclusion on injured reserve is a signal that the team isn't worried about him. That said, it doesn't mean the team isn't thinking about possible insurance policies that might be useful if he does need to sit a substantial portion of the late season.
"They're always open to finding that insurance. OK? So I don't know if they're are going to be able to find the right fit. But I know it's something that has been discussed in the building."
Beyond insurance for Watson, the team is also looking in other areas according to Russini:
"In terms of what they're looking for, I've heard some calls have been made about adding a receiver, adding an offensive lineman."
So, they're not panicked over Watson, but they're also not completely avoiding the idea of maybe needing to take out an insurance policy that may or may not have to step in as a replacement.
The Patriots are giving off signals they'll make some sort of a move
Good luck figuring out what the New England Patriots plan is in any given year. This year, that task feels even more impossible. The post-Brady era in New England has continued to not go to plan, with the Patriots 2-5 and last in the AFC East despite the New York Jets being without Aaron Rodgers.
Jeff Howe of The Athletic reports that executives around the league can't figure out if the Patriots are buyers or sellers, but that they're active enough on the phones that teams think they'll do something (subscription required).
Typical Bellichick, moving mysteriously and weirdly. Cue that why can't you just be normal meme.
It feels as though this New England team needs to commit one way or the other. Either Mac Jones needs some help (and no, Jalen Reagor probably doesn't solve the issues), or they need to cut bait and admit this hasn't gone how they've expected and pivot toward more of a rebuild. The latter feels unlikely so long as Belichick is in town, but some think that there's a chance Robert Kraft could consider getting rid of him.
So, that means getting Jones better weapons and protection. Six of the eight offensive lineman around Jones with more than 100 snaps this year have earned sub-50 grades on PFF in pass blocking. Jones may not be helping, but he also doesn't really have the tools to win.
Or, perhaps Kraft brings in an executive on top of Belichick who has been the coach and GM of the team for some time.
Maybe we get some hints about what direction the franchise is heading based on what they do or don't do at the trade deadline this year.
