Smokescreen or Real Hype: Latest NFL Rumors Heading into 2024 Scouting Combine Week
The NFL world is converging on Indianapolis for the 2024 scouting combine taking place this week. While the main purpose of these visits is for teams to get a closer look at the 321 prospects who have been invited by the league to get measured, tested and interviewed ahead of the upcoming draft, there's also plenty of other business for front offices to attend to during these trips.
Trade talks are historically a major part of combine week. It's inevitable when so many NFL decision-makers get together in one building and has resulted in plenty of deals taking place in years past. That should be no different in 2024, especially with several high-profile talents already having their names bandied about in trade rumors this offseason.
While there will be lots of intriguing nuggets being released in the coming days, there's also sure to be plenty of smokescreens and misinformation wafting through Lucas Oil Stadium. With the rumor mill churning at full speed this week, it can be tough to sift through it all and identify which of these trade rumors have substance and which are just empty hype.
Don't fret, however, as we'll be doing the hard work for you. With that in mind, read on for a faction-or-fiction look at some of the latest NFL rumors.
Rumor: Justin Fields Trade Is Imminent
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One of the most polarizing topics of the 2024 NFL offseason involves the Chicago Bears and what the franchise will do with the both the No. 1 overall pick and incumbent starting quarterback Justin Fields.
The two are intimately intertwined, with the Bears almost certain to trade Fields if they stay put and select a signal-caller at the top of the draft.
Editor's Note: Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Bears GM Ryan Poles said he, "doesn't think it would be right not to trade Justin Fields before free agency begins."
However, even if Chicago does move down from No. 1 overall for the second consecutive year, there's still a chance the club parts ways with Fields following three polarizing campaigns.
Poles has clearly done a great job hiding his intent, evidenced by the varied takes from NFL insiders on this situation.
In his retirement column, NBC Sports' Peter King said that he believes the Bears will ultimately move back from No. 1, trading down multiple times to put a stronger supporting cast around Fields. Fox Sports' Peter Schrager echoed that same line of thinking during a Good Morning Football spot Monday.
On the other hand, SI.com's Albert Breer said on a recent ESPN 1000 radio appearance he believes the framework of a Fields trade could be done as soon as next week. Fields' choice to unfollow the Bears on social media seems to indicate his tenure in the Windy City could soon be officially over, even if the quarterback stated the unfollow was simply part of some timeline housekeeping.
No one can be certain what route the Bears will choose besides Poles, but it's tough to see a scenario in which Chicago's front office can justify sticking with Fields for a fourth season. Not when there's an opportunity to draft USC's Caleb Williams or UNC's Drake Maye—the top quarterback prospects on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's big board—on the table.
The Bears backed Fields last year when they punted on a chance to select C.J. Stroud at No. 1. Stroud went on to guide his Houston Texans to the postseason as a rookie while Chicago missed the playoffs for the third straight year. Given Fields has gone a meager 10-28 in his starts and hasn't developed into a competent passer at this point, it's clearly time to move on and reboot with a promising first-year prospect.
Fact: The Chicago Bears will trade Justin Fields and have a deal in place soon.
Rumor: New York Jets Could Target Trade for Sam Howell
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Sam Howell was one of the more intriguing quarterbacks to watch during the 2023 season. While he didn't find much success in the win column during his first full season leading the Washington Commanders, the young quarterback still put up some impressive numbers and displayed plenty of potential.
Despite these flashes, the Commanders appear almost certain to hand the reins of their offense over to either Caleb Williams or Drake Maye in 2024. The franchise holds the No. 2 overall pick in the upcoming draft—a slot that guarantees it can land either the USC or UNC product—and the new regime could even trade up to have a chance at starting fresh with its pick of the two top-rated passers on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's big board.
That leaves Howell in a rather awkward situation after he finished the year with a noteworthy 3,946 passing yards—and even led all quarterbacks in this category through the first 10 weeks—and 21 touchdowns (although he also had a league-worst 21 interceptions). His tenure as the QB1 in the nation's capital looks to be over before it could truly begin, although that doesn't mean he lacks a future in the NFL.
There is reportedly strong interest in the 23-year-old around the league. According to Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports, Howell would have "several teams" interested in a trade if Washington makes him available.
Vacchiano highlighted the New York Jets as one potential suitor for Howell. He noted that the club lacks an heir apparent to Aaron Rodgers and could acquire Washington's young passer to fill that role.
Gang Green gave 2021 No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson the starting role when Rodgers got hurt last year, but another dismal showing last season appears to have ended any hope of Wilson developing into a serviceable quarterback in the Big Apple. Howell, a fifth-round pick in 2022, may not have the same pedigree as Wilson, but he's already shown more potential and upside than many young NFL quarterbacks.
While that idea has merit, the projected asking price of a third-round pick is likely too rich for a draft-capital-starved squad like the Jets.
New York has eight picks in 2024, but three of those fall during the final five selections of the seventh round. Dealing away their lone third-rounder would leave the Jets with just one pick (No. 10 overall) during the draft's initial two days, a situation the team would be wise to avoid if it only results in a backup quarterback.
Fiction: New York Jets will not trade for Sam Howell
Rumor: Las Vegas Raiders Ready For a Run at Kirk Cousins
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The Las Vegas Raiders are desperate for some consistency after four different head coaches have manned the helm since the start of the 2021 campaign. The team may have found some by dropping the interim tag from Antonio Pierce following his 5-4 finish to the 2023 season, but it still needs to find the right quarterback to compete in a stacked AFC West.
Although Aidan O'Connell managed to go .500 over his 10 starts after replacing Jimmy Garoppolo, the 25-year-old doesn't appear to be a viable long-term option under center. Vegas could consider tapping a rookie in the upcoming draft, but not being on the clock until No. 13 overall will likely put most of the top prospects out of reach without a pricy move up the board.
That leaves a free-agent signing as the best route for the Raiders, especially if they believe this team is ready to make a real run in 2024.
According to The Athletic's Vic Tafur, Las Vegas is now in the running for Kirk Cousins—the top available signal-caller on the open market—after the team received an unexpected influx of salary-cap space. Because Garoppolo was given a two-game suspension for violating the league's performance-enhancing substance policy, the Raiders can save significantly more money by releasing the ineffective veteran, per Tafur.
That freed up cap room conceivably allows Vegas to put a market value offer—projected by Spotrac to be just shy of $40 million per year—on the table for Cousins.
It's a move that would make Davante Adams happy. The star wideout praised the 35-year-old signal-caller during an appearance on the 2 Gs in a Pod show, describing Cousins as a "really good quarterback." Adams has remained a steady force despite the quarterback woes in Sin City and should thrive if his club inks the four-time Pro Bowler.
Adams' presence, as well as those of fellow stars like Maxx Crosby, could push the Raiders over the edge when it comes to luring Cousins this offseason. This roster has plenty of potential and could help the quarterback finally find the playoff success that has thus far eluded him during his 12 NFL seasons.
Fact: The Las Vegas Raiders will make a run at Kirk Cousins in free agency.
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Rumor: Russell Wilson and Denver Broncos Will Remain Together in 2024
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The Denver Broncos' much-maligned Russell Wilson experiment appeared to be trending toward a merciful end this offseason. The team was largely expected to eat $85 million in dead money to part ways with the nine-time Pro Bowler after he was benched for the final two games of 2023 and the series of issues that cropped up in wake of that decision.
While that option is still on the table, there have been rumblings that Wilson could remain in place for at least one more season.
These rumors began two weeks ago when NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo reported that Denver's brass was "keeping all options on the table at QB," including asking Wilson to restructure the massive five-year, $242.6 million contract he signed shortly after joining the organization. The insiders noted that such an arrangement would hinge on Wilson being willing to stay.
Following an appearance on Brandon Marshall's I Am Athlete podcast, it appears the 35-year-old signal-caller is open to remaining in the Mile High City. When asked about his future, Wilson said that he's hoping to win at least two more Super Bowls—adding to the ring he won with the Seattle Seahawks in 2013—and made it clear he hopes that these victories occur in Denver.
"For me, it's about winning. Over the next two years, I want to win two [Super Bowls], I want to feel the chill of that trophy again. I love the city and everything else, but you also want to be [in] a place that wants you, too. The thing I want to do is to win. That's all I care about."
Wilson went on to admit he hasn't considered where he might play in 2024 if he's released by the Broncos. He maintained that staying in Denver is his top option, but also admitted his true desire is having a legitimate chance to raise more banners.
Even if Wilson wants to remain in Denver, the team would be better served ridding itself of his albatross of a contract and forging ahead without him. It is painfully apparent that the quarterback isn't a fit with this team—he's gone just 11-19 in 30 starts since joining it—and Wilson almost certainly is not going to achieve his dream of winning two more championships with the Broncos.
With ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reporting that league sources believe Wilson would be open to signing a veteran's minimum deal if he's cut, there should be no shortage of suitors if and when the quarterback reaches free agency. Wilson would be able to revitalize his career by landing with a fringe contender currently lacking a capable passer and put this abysmal Denver saga behind him.
Fiction: Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos will part ways this offseason.
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