NFL Rumors: Rounding Up Trade Buzz Ahead of Free Agency

Brace for impact, NFL faithful.

The opening salvos of the NFL trade market are just that—the beginning of what appears to be one of the most action-packed periods in recent league history.

What a beginning it was, too, with LeSean McCoy—an MVP contender in his prime—on his way from the Philadelphia Eagles to the Buffalo Bills, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Brandon Marshall, one of the league's most prolific wideouts, will move from the Chicago Bears to the New York Jets, too, according to NFL Network's Albert Breer:

More moves are undoubtedly on the horizon, and if the rumor mill is any indication, more than a few will live up to the early hype.

Free agency is around the corner and will have a big say on future transactions between teams. But for now, a pair of high-profile rumblings stick out.

Cap Casualty in New Orleans?

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The New Orleans Saints shocked the globe last year by swooping in and stealing Jairus Byrd, but this signing is a large part of the reason the team is in such a serious cap situation right now.

So it goes when a team makes a last-ditch effort at a championship as a star quarterback such as Drew Brees plays out his final seasons.

The Saints need some immediate relief, though, and may look to find it in a rather shocking manner—by shipping away star linebacker Curtis Lofton.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport provides the details:

Lofton, 28, is the definition of a rock.

Over the course of his seven-year career, the Oklahoma product has never missed a game. He is clearly a vocal leader and just last season amassed 145 total tackles.

The problems arise in the salary department, as Lofton is due $9.25 million in 2015, per Spotrac. That's a lot to pay for an aging linebacker, and while his individual numbers are nice, they did little to change the fact that the Saints still finished 25th against the pass and 29th against the rush last season.

There will certainly be a market for Lofton, although at this point the Saints may need to settle for a less-than-ideal return. If the front office is serious about unloading his salary, it will be content to receive anything at all in return, meaning other teams can lowball knowing he may hit the open market via release.

Regardless, Lofton is far from the only potential transaction the Saints can make to get under the cap, so keep an eye on the situation.

Next Up in Chicago: Jay Cutler?

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More interesting is the case of those Chicago Bears, the team already responsible for one major splash thanks to the aforementioned Marshall trade.

Quarterback Jay Cutler may be next.

Clearly, it's a strange time around the organization. Per NFL.com's Chris Wesseling, Rapoport recently noted on NFL Total Access that Cutler is available. That seems to be on the backburner now, as Breer illustrates:

Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune writes, "One NFL source said the [Tennessee] Titans are the only realistic destination in terms of a trade for Cutler." 

If—and that seems to be quite the if at this point—the Bears decide to move Cutler, Tennessee certainly makes loads of sense. The Titans may not be content to roll with Zach Mettenberger under center, and while they hold the No. 2 overall pick, Cutler may be a more viable win-now option than either Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota.

Keep in mind, too, that making a move for Cutler and retaining the No. 2 pick gives Tennessee loads of options. The front office could then upgrade another area with a top-flight prospect or sell the pick to the highest bidder.

That's just one possibility, as the upcoming draft class and the free-agent market are so weak that it is hard to imagine only the Titans would have interest in a quarterback who just completed 66 percent of his passes for 3,812 yards and 28 touchdowns to 18 interceptions.

Change continues to be on the horizon in Chicago.

Clearly, if there's one team that will grab headlines atop the trade market, it'll be the Bears as head coach John Fox and Co. rebuild things to their liking.

Note: Stats courtesy of NFL.com as of March 7 at 9 a.m. ET. All advanced metrics via Pro Football Focus.