2011 NFL Trade Rumors: Larry Fitzgerald and 15 Big Names Who Could Force a Trade
With the small window of opportunity for players in the violent sport of the NFL, players do not want to toil away their best years on a struggling franchise. For players that are locked into a contract, there is only one way to change their scenery—demand a trade.
Here are some disgruntled players you can expect to demand a trade in this coming offseason.
15. Jared Gaither, Baltimore Ravens
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Gaither had a rough season with the Ravens. Before the season, he was asked to move to RT from LT. Gaither was reluctant to move, and even more so, given the fact that the Ravens would not give him the long-term contract he was looking for.
Gaither's season ended in late October after being placed on Injured Reserve. The Ravens will not be likely to let Gaither walk away for nothing, and Gaither is unlikely to want to return.
14. Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers
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The Panthers have literally brought in people off couches to try and throw Smith passes this year. At 31, Smith realizes his window to get a championship is quickly closing.
The Panthers will likely be starting from scratch next year, and the hyper-competitive Smith is not going to have the patience for it.
13. Kevin Kolb, Philadelphia Eagles
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The only reason Kolb would not have to demand a trade is because the Eagles are shopping him. The Eagles are almost certainly going to resign Michael Vick in the offseason, and they may not want to pay Kolb the starter money he is set to make to be a backup.
On his part, Kolb is not going to want to be a backup. He just spent an offseason preparing to be a starter. He is not going to want to take a step back now.
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12. Roy Williams, Dallas Cowboys
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Williams is enjoying his best year in Dallas, but he is also on the verge of being phased out. Dez Bryant has had a spectacular rookie campaign, and Miles Austin will remain Tony Romo's favorite target.
This will leave Williams as the third WR. A fact Williams' ego will not let him swallow.
11. Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants
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Brandon Jacobs has had a tumultuous season with the Giants. His unhappiness was wildly apparent when he threw/gave his helmet into the stands.
Jacobs has had a smaller role than he has wanted all season. He is unlikely to get the Giants to guarantee him more touches, and he will want to go someplace that will.
10. Jimmy Claussen, Carolina Panthers
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The Carolina Panthers have already secured the No. 1 pick in the 2011 Draft. No matter how they feel about Clausen's future, they will not be able to pass up on QB Andrew Luck.
Clausen is not going to want to face life as a career backup, and he will look to go someplace where he has a less cluttered future.
9. Donovan McNabb, Washington Redskins
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This one is a no-brainer, right? The only reason McNabb won't be demanding a trade is if the Redskins release him outright.
8. Chad Ochocinco
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The Bengals realize something Ochocinco could never admit to himself: His skills are declining. Ochocinco is not likely to feel he is as wanted as his ego demands.
Chad is going to seek a higher profile team to try and end his career in the spotlight.
7. Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers
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The 49ers rewarded Davis with a lucrative contract this season. That will not be enough to keep him happy.
Davis's career was to a slow start before Mike Singletary called him out and pulled him from a game. Since then, Davis has matured into one of the NFL's most feared TEs. Singletary tore him down and built him back up. In the process, the two created a bond.
Davis will be displeased with the handling of his former coach, and he will look for excuses to demand a trade.
6. Andre Johnson, Houston Texans
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After failing to take the next step, the Texans are facing an offseason of change. The process will be more than Andre Johnson will want to endure. Johnson will be anxious to make a difference in the playoffs.
Johnson likely lost any sense of loyalty he had towards the Texans during their clumsy handling of his high-ankle sprain this season and his contract extension prior to the season. While they did make him the wealthiest WR in the NFL, the negotiations may have taken their toll.
Now, the Texans may be faced with rebuilding without him.
5. Vince Young, Tennessee Titans
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Jeff Fisher and Vince Young will never be employed by the same team again. It is unlikely that Fisher will return to Tennessee. Still, this will not be enough to keep the emotional Young happy.
Vince Young has already begun a long offseason. I can already picture him placing the blame of his disappointing season on his coach and the "ungrateful" Titan fans. Young will attempt to run from his demons by seeking a trade.
4. James Harrison, Pittsburgh Steelers
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No players has had to dish out as much money in fines as James Harrison this season. He has likely already decided that he needs to make more money to be able to afford to play the way that made him great.
He has already threatened a retirement. This will leave him with no choice but to demand a trade as a recourse to attaining a more lucrative contract.
3. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
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To say the Vikings had a disappointing year does not fully capture the scope of their let down. Central to their lackluster performance was the disintegration of a once great offensive line.
Running backs have the shortest lifespan in sports. Peterson is not going to want to waste his limited prime years with a franchise that suddenly has a lot of holes to fill.
2. Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans
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Chris Johnson loves the spotlight, and just like Adrian Peterson, he realizes that his window to shine in that spotlight is small, because of his position.
Motivated by the failings of his team and his own shortcomings of his lofty goals, Johnson will want to raise his profile in a bigger market.
1. Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers
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Philip Rivers is going to test his influence inside the Chargers franchise. GM A.J. Smith has grown increasingly tyrannical in his oversight of the Chargers. This caused Rivers to be without the likes of WR Vincent Jackson and LT Marcus McNeil for part or most of the season.
The ultra-competitive Rivers is going to help ensure he has the kind of players around him that he needs when he offers a me or him scenario by demanding a trade.
Larry Fitzgerald
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It was only two years ago that Larry Fitzgerald was the darling of the NFL Playoffs. Everyone was drooling over his impact on a game and deservedly so. He was the key-figure of a high flying and potent Cardinal offense that was fingertips away from being Super Bowl Champions.
It feels like it was lifetimes ago. Fitzgerald spent his season on an overmatched Cardinals team. They started two different un-drafted rookie QBs over the course of the season and not even Fitzgerald could make them look good.
The Cardinals seem to again be inhabiting the waste land they did before Fitzgerald arrived. He saw Kurt Warner retire and the team refuse to pay Anquan Boldin and then trade him and they both had a more enjoyable and memorable season than he did. He is now going to want to be traded himself.
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