NFL Trade Rumors: Latest on Matt Forte, Vernon Davis, Others as Deadline Looms

It’s do or die time for hopeful NFL contenders to make a final effort to bolster their rosters with valuable additions that could help make a playoff push and beyond. 

The NFL’s deadline often doesn’t yield the blockbuster deals as in MLB, but that’s in large part due to parity, timing and the salary cap. With the deadline at exactly halfway through the 17-week season, many teams are still alive in the playoff hunt. Restructuring cap space to accommodate new additions becomes an added complexity.

This year's Nov. 3 trade deadline has stirred speculation surrounding some long-tenured veterans that could be on the move. Heading into the final Sunday before the deadline, here is a glance at the latest buzz.

Chicago Bears RB Matt Forte

Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte has been linked to the trade block since as early as September, per journalist Benjamin Allbright. He turns 30 in February and is in the final year of his contract, with reportedly $6.64 million still due this season. 

Even if Chicago is willing to part ways, it’ll have a hard time finding a suitor able to fit that financial burden within their cap and possibly watch Forte walk after the season. The Bears would also have voiced they’d want a mid-to-high-round draft pick for the dual-threat running back, per Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports. 

Forte has compiled a fourth-best 698 yards from scrimmage just a year after setting an NFL record for most receptions for a running back. 

The Bears are 2-4, and quarterback Jay Cutler knows that record could be worse without Forte, per Larry Meyer of ChicagoBears.com:

"I wouldn't trade him for anybody else. He’s a three-down back. He does so much protection-wise. He does so much in the passing game. You can line him up in all different scenarios, all different sets. He gets the job done. He's kind of a security blanket for us."

Cutler may get his wish. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reported this week (via Kevin Patra of NFL.com): "They are open, I am told, to trading really a lot of their key parts, mainly because they would like draft picks. At this point nothing is expected from Forte, because of his age, because of his salary.”

As great as it would be to see Forte land with a contender—he’s been a part of just one playoff team in eight years—the odds aren’t likely. 

San Francisco 49ers TE Vernon Davis

San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis is another impending free agent, and much more likely on his way out at season’s end, per La Canfora of CBS Sports.

With Davis’ high-price tag of $4.35 million still due, coupled with the 49ers' desire of a mid-round draft pick and his lack of production—just 12 catches in five games with no touchdowns—he is an unrealistic trade target, per Patra:

"Davis will be the most talked about player this week in terms of trade rumors, but ultimately no one will offer to take on the money and give up a pick,” Patra wrote.

Davis’ well-chronicled disputes with embattled quarterback Colin Kaepernick reached a tipping point this week when the tight end clashed with left tackle Joey Staley after calling out Kaepernick for their struggles, according to Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. 

Davis denied the report, per Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle:

"

Vernon Davis on if he’s been in altercation w/ Joe Staley this season: “I don’t recall that. I don’t know where that’s coming from “ #49ers

— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) October 29, 2015"

The 10-year veteran won’t be able to command top dollar on the free-agent market given his age, declining skills and track record of being a disruptive presence in the locker room. And those are all reasons why no teams will bite before Tuesday.

Atlanta Falcons WR Roddy White

Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White stirred trade rumors in early October when he expressed frustration about his diminished role in first-year coordinator Kyle Shanahan’s offense to Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com.

White is averaging two catches on 3.6 targets per game, falling deeper into the shadow of Leonard Hankerson and superstar Julio Jones, arguably the league’s best receiver. 

And despite White’s angst, the Falcons offense keeps humming. Atlanta ranks third in scoring (27.5 points per game), fourth in total offense (403.1 yards), fourth in first downs (23.8) and seventh in yards per play (5.8). 

The Falcons have no need for change, and they would be ill-advised to send away a piece of its high-powered offense, regardless of how diminished a role White may hold. And with Jones seemingly nursing injury at any point in a given season—most recently, a toe and hamstring—there’s even less incentive to deplete depth for a 6-1 team that has a strong chance of reaching the playoffs. 

Rapoport reported (via Patra): "He loves Atlanta, doesn't want to go anywhere. It doesn't sound like (the Falcons) are motivated to move him, but will a team change their mind as we get closer to next Tuesday.”

A prospective dealer would also have to account for $6 million-plus White is due each of the next two seasons, per Spotrac. If a contender believes White can return anywhere close to his elite form—posting at least 1,150 receiving yards and six touchdowns from 2007-2012—they may take a stab.

But this seems unlikely. White maintains his highest premium is winning the Super Bowl, and said after trade gossip gained traction, per D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “I’m a Falcon. I’ll be a Falcon for life."