NFL Rumors: Trade Buzz on Calvin Johnson, T.Y. Hilton

The NFL's deadline for trade activity is 4 p.m. ET Tuesday, which understandably is not as widely covered as any of the other three major sports.

Midseason NFL trades of notable players are rare for a number of reasons. Football schemes vary greatly from team to team, and learning terminology is difficult. There is often a weekslong process for a new player to even learn the playbook and get acclimated with his new teammates. Financial ramifications are also in play, with things like cap surcharges putting a bit of a stasis on activity.

Because MLB, NBA and NHL have guaranteed contracts, their financial dealings are more straightforward. But we have already seen a few notable names (including Adrian Peterson) move, so let's check in on some of the latest rumors around the league.

Calvin Johnson Potentially Returning?

When Calvin Johnson retired following the 2015 season, it was speculated about but still a surprise. Johnson was still one of the NFL's best receivers, a ridiculous combination of size, speed and leaping ability that comes along once in a generation. He was also leaving $67.7 million in base salary on the table.

I, for instance, would hold on to $0.7 million until someone took it from my cold, dead hands. That's a lot of money to walk away from, and yet Johnson seemed generally happy in retirement.

"I don't really think about it too much because I got so much going on. I came in with Marshawn," Johnson said told Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press in May when discussing Marshawn Lynch's comeback. "We worked out together down in Orlando with Tom Shaw. I'm going to see him next week because I'm going out there to work with Oakland. But I don't feel any kind of mixed emotions about it now. It doesn't make me think about coming back, not at all."

That is, apparently, not stopping teams from kicking the tires on a potential comeback. ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported the Jacksonville Jaguars and Philadelphia Eagles have contacted the Lions about a potential move.

"The speculation has been the Philadelphia Eagles," Mortensen said (h/t Jimmy Kempski of the Philly Voice). "Once again, they need a tackle. They're 7-1. They have only a first-round pick next year, and three 4s. They don't have a second- or third-round pick. That's not good.

"What's it going to take to get Calvin Johnson, who by the way has a base salary still on the books for $16 million? Calvin has been working out, I guess, but does he really want to play? Jacksonville's ears are perked up. Chances are, I don't think it happens."

ESPN's Adam Schefter previously reported teams found Johnson "noncommittal at best" when they contacted him about a potential comeback.

The Jaguars are 4-3 and look like a potential playoff team. They also lost top wideout Allen Robinson to a torn ACL.

The Eagles are off to a 7-1 start and look like a Super Bowl contender behind second-year quarterback Carson Wentz.

T.Y. Hilton Potentially on the Move?

The Indianapolis Colts moved to 2-6 with their loss Sunday to the Cincinnati Bengals and are heading nowhere fast. Andrew Luck was recently shut back down with pain in his throwing shoulder and is increasingly unlikely to play this season. Head coach Chuck Pagano is perhaps the lamest of lame duck coaches in all of football.

Major changes are coming to the franchise in the immediate future, aside from the building block talent. T.Y. Hilton, thought to be the Colts' No. 1 receiver of the present and future, may not be as untouchable as previously thought.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported Sunday that Hilton "emerged in league circles as a guy who could be traded." Hilton has recorded 29 receptions for 527 yards and a touchdown this season but has been noticeably affected by the absence of Luck. He also drew criticism last week for publicly calling out the Colts offensive line.

"I love them to death. I was wrong," Hilton told reporters. "I'm always against that and then I go out there and do it. So, I can say I messed up."

Hilton is under contract for three more seasons but his deal is base salary-heavy. The Colts would gain $9 million in cap space by moving on after this season, per Spotrac. But Hilton reportedly wants to stay and has a strong existing relationship with Luck, so odds are he'll stick around.