5 NFL Players Who Could Request a Trade Next
While the NFL campaign creeps closer and closer, the ground on which a few headlining talents stand remains unsteady.
Whether it's due to a contract dispute, getting buried on the depth chart or simply a desire for a change of scenery, a few players could find themselves contemplating a future elsewhere.
Below, we'll take a closer look at five players who could be on the verge of requesting a trade, exploring what it might mean for their careers and the teams involved.
WR Davante Adams, Las Vegas Raiders
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One of the best ever at the wide receiver spot, Davante Adams hasn't made his frustrations in Las Vegas a secret.
The Raiders are set to enter the fall with Gardner Minshew as their starter, and the ongoing carousel at quarterback can't sit well with Adams.
Since joining the Raiders, he has been forced to adapt. It's been a complete 180 from his years spent in Green Bay with Aaron Rodgers, and that lack of stability at quarterback, especially following the departure of Derek Carr, has seemingly worn on Adams.
Along with the uncertainty surrounding the level of play under center, the Raiders' overall trajectory remains in flux. For Adams, who'll turn 32 in December, competing for a Super Bowl surely remains atop his priority list.
DT Jonathan Allen, Washington Commanders
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Jonathan Allen enters 2024 in an awfully interesting spot.
Though he's been a mainstay along the Commanders line since the organization spent a first-round pick on him in 2017, the play of running mate Daron Payne and the addition of 2024 second-rounder Johnny Newton could see Allen request to be moved.
Though Allen has multiple Pro Bowl selections under his belt, the team has struggled to achieve success.
Allen has publicly voiced his frustration in the past due to such, and with a new regime in town—as promising as it may be with Jayden Daniels under center—the 29-year-old's patience within another rebuild could be spent.
Moving Allen presents an opportunity to add a valuable pick and idealize the future of Payne alongside Newton while John Ridgeway III provides depth.
QB Trey Lance, Dallas Cowboys
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Slotted behind Dak Prescott, whose future also remains in question in Dallas, Trey Lance's position on the depth chart and lack of clear opportunity for playing time has placed a cloud over his career.
A highly touted prospect out of North Dakota State whom the San Francisco 49ers took No. 3 overall in 2021, Lance failed to evolve under fire for the Niners, leading to his move to Dallas.
2024 is a critical year for Lance, who needs development and on-field experience at 24. Lance is in a battle with Cooper Rush for the backup role, so there's no guarantee that he will be QB2.
Even if he wins the backup job to put himself one snap away from action should Prescott suffer an injury, Lance may value the chance at winning the QB1 job with a team lacking an established starter.
An organization searching for fresh legs at the position (without having to allocate high draft capital) could find Lance an appealing target, offering him a chance to compete for a starting gig.
QB Taylor Heinicke, Atlanta Falcons
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The value of a backup quarterback seemingly increases each year. Injuries occur, expectations adjust, and players who operate on a "one snap away" basis are looked upon to keep an offense on track.
A former starter in Washington, Taylor Heinicke has proved he can lead an offense when given the opportunity. While Heinicke has spent the last few campaigns in and out of the lineup for the Falcons, primarily backing up Desmond Ridder, he sits at QB3 with just one preseason game left to play.
A little more than a month after Atlanta paid Kirk Cousins handsomely to start, it used the eighth overall pick on quarterback Michael Penix Jr,, who led Washington to a national title game berth last winter. Penix may be the future, but there's no question about how the depth chart will align, with Cousins at the top.
Heinicke has the skill set and experience (29 career starts) to compete and produce for a team with questions under center.
DB James Bradberry, Philadelphia Eagles
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One of Philadelphia's top corners last fall, James Bradberry was nearly unplayable during the final third of the Eagles' campaign.
His postseason wasn't pretty, either, as he allowed five catches on six targets for 108 yards and a touchdown in Philadelphia's Wild Card Round loss to Tampa Bay.
With an influx of young talent in the building following the selections of corners Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean in this year's draft, Bradberry could eye a new opportunity elsewhere.
While Bradberry has earned reps at the safety spot at points this offseason in an effort to diversify his role, his lack of experience at the position and a moveable contract (with two years remaining) could force GM Howie Roseman's hand in making calls to teams in need of veteran legs on the backend.
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