NFL Rumors: Cowboys-Bears trade idea makes sense for both sides
It remains to be seen if the Dallas Cowboys will actually buy at the NFL Trade Deadline, largely because there has been a bit of conflicting reporting about the franchise's plans. One thing that can't be argued, however, is that Jerry Jones probably should be working the phones to make a trade.
And if that is the case, then the Chicago Bears might offer a bit of a lifeline for the injury-ravaged Cowboys defense.
ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler mentioned last week in his early trade deadline preview that Bears cornerback and former second-round pick Jaylon Johnson was already generating interest around the league, but it remained to be seen if the Bears would be willing to put him on the block.
Johnson has been one of the best coverage corners in the NFL this season, including leading the league in PFF coverage grade over the first seven weeks.
Dallas has been piecing the secondary together since the loss of Trevon Diggs for the season with a torn ACL. DaRon Bland has moved from the slot to the outside in Diggs' spot opposite Stephon Gilmore and has performed well, but Jourdan Lewis has stepped into the starting role in the slot. That has worked out less favorably.
The Cowboys need an upgrade to bide time while Diggs is out this season and Johnson makes a ton of sense. He can fill into that role, is a free agent after this season that Dallas could let walk if need be, and because of that will likely not be cost-prohibitive on the trade market.
Trades in the offseason for the likes of Brandin Cooks and Gilmore, in addition to Trey Lance as well, have the Cowboys without a fourth, fifth, or sixth-round pick in the 2024 draft. They have to be smart if they do trade, but Johnson offers the opportunity to plug a hole while not needing to break the draft capital bank.
NFL Rumors: Chiefs defense dealt brutal blow with months-long injury
Kansas City Chiefs fans were certainly delighted to see that Patrick Mahomes and the offense got their mojo back this past week in a resounding win over the AFC West-rival Chargers. That victory moved the team to 6-1 on the season, as many expected them to start. With how the offense has stumbled out of the blocks, though, that wouldn't be possible without the defense.
Steve Spagnuolo's unit has performed at an extremely high level this season from top-to-bottom, which we saw again in the win over the Chargers. But now the Chiefs will have to move forward through the heart of the regular season without one of their most crucial pieces is now out for possible a couple of months.
Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported on Monday that Kansas City LB Nick Bolton will undergo surgery for a dislocated wrist and is expected to miss around two months of action.
If there's a silver lining for the Chiefs, it's that Bolton, based on this initial timetable, should return in late December. That would be enough time for him to have a couple of regular season games to gear up and get back into shape before the playoffs start.
Having said that, losing Bolton won't be easy for Kansas City to handle. He's been one of the leaders in the middle of this defense and is a plus-asset at the position.
The good news is that the Chiefs added former Charger Drue Tranquill this offseason, who should be able to take up that mantle alongside Willie Gay Jr. along with Leo Chenal. But they'll have big shoes to fill given how good Bolton has been for this unit. And if they struggle, perhaps a trade deadline need will be addressed before Oct. 31 in Kansas City.
NFL Rumors: Derrick Henry trade talk could heat back up
On Monday afternoon, the Tennessee Titans and Philadelphia Eagles made the first major trade of deadline season. The Titans sent former All-Pro safety Kevin Byard to the defending NFC champions in exchange for Terrell Edmunds and two Day 3 draft picks in 2024.
Sitting at 2-4 on the season and coming out of their Week 7 bye, the Titans were one of the most interesting teams to monitor leading up to the deadline as they appeared to be possible sellers with valuable assets on both sides of the ball.
Trading Byard at least initially appears to indicate that the Titans will, in fact, be sellers. And that has to raise some eyebrows at the possibility of Derrick Henry being moved.
Henry has continued to be a workhorse for the Titans offense this season, already carrying the ball 98 times for 425 yards with three scores. He's also been shockingly involved in the pass game with 11 receptions for 117 yards. However, the 29-year-old running back is in the final year of his contract with Tennessee. As such, he could potentially be moved to recoup some draft capital for the Titans instead of letting him walk for nothing this offseason as a free agent.
As NFL Media's Gregg Rosenthal noted, you have to think about a team like the Baltimore Ravens who could use a workhorse RB as one of many teams who could be interested in a Henry trade.
This is not a guarantee that the Titans will have a full-blown fire sale that would include trading Henry. It is, however, an indication that's a possibility in this situation. And if it is, don't expect there to be anything less than a frenzy to try and get Derrick Henry at the trade deadline.
