NFL Trade Speculation: Top 10 Most Surprising Rumors of the Offseason
The current NFL lockout may prevent player movement until a new CBA is reached, but it has not stopped trade rumors from cropping up every day.
Some trades seem plausible, while others border on ridiculous. However likely or unlikely the rumors may be, it doesn't change the fact that they exist.
The lockout has created an environment that has spawned rumors seemingly out of nowhere considering there is no contact allowed to set up such trades.
With the players and owners engaging in their war of words over money, their respective franchises yearn for the allowance of trades. Here is a look at some of the more surprising trade rumors of this offseason.
Panthers Receiver Steve Smith to the San Diego Chargers
1 of 10
The Panthers are officially rebuilding with a new coach and quarterback in Ron Rivera and Cam Newton respectively.
All-Pro receiver Steve Smith's presence would go a long way towards making Newton comfortable as an NFL quarterback, but he has been unhappy with the team's direction after a 2-14 season last year.
After failing to show up to the player-organized workout and reportedly putting his 10,700-square foot home up for sale, the rumor of his desire to play elsewhere has gained momentum.
Smith has two years left on his contract, and would be a tremendous addition to any team, especially one like the San Diego Chargers.
After their very public tiff with receiver Vincent Jackson last season, a play for Smith might give them some leverage in their effort to retain Jackson. The trade makes sense for San Diego, and the Panthers would likely relish the draft picks the Chargers would send Carolina's way.
Smith has denied the trade rumor, stating in an interview with Pro Football Talk that he asked Panthers GM Marty Hurney "to be in a competitive situation." Meanwhile, San Diego would be an infinitely more competitive situation for Smith.
Titans Quarterback Vince Young to the Washington Redskins
2 of 10
The Washington Redskins have been making headlines with their quarterback issues since Donovan McNabb was benched in the closing quarter of a loss to the Detroit Lions.
Plenty has been made of McNabb's future home, but less has been mentioned about quarterbacks elsewhere finding their way to Washington.
Vince Young is the only name being heavily rumored in relation to the Redskins.
Young was good in eight starts last season, completing nearly 60 percent of his passes with 10 touchdowns to just three interceptions.
The Titans only managed a 4-4 record with Young as their starter and the frustration has become too much to bear. It is almost certain that Young will not be with the team next season, but will they release him outright or try to get some value out of him in a trade?
The Redskins need a quarterback, but Young never matured as a passer. He is not accurate enough to succeed in the Redskins' offense, and is too much like McNabb in his skill set to be an appealing option.
Eagles Quarterback Kevin Kolb to the Seattle Seahawks
3 of 10
With the resurgence of Michael Vick, the Philadelphia Eagles once again find themselves flush with quarterback talent.
Last offseason, they managed to sucker the Washington Redskins into taking Donovan McNabb off their hands. This offseason they're looking for potential buyers for their former future franchise quarterback Kevin Kolb.
Kolb's name is at the top of the list when it comes to most desired players this offseason, and the lockout is preventing what could turn out to be a bidding war for Kolb.
The Cardinals are the ideal landing spot for Kolb, but the Seahawks have come into the picture with Matt Hasselbeck likely gone and Charlie Whitehurst being a poor substitute for a starter.
While Kolb may be a good addition to the Seahawks, he may actually have to compete for the starting job instead of being brought in for the sole purpose of filling the starting job as he would if he went to Arizona.
Whitehurst would be considered a viable starter for the Seahawks moving forward, but his failure to display any leadership during this offseason has hurt his chances of being in the team's long-term plans.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Bengals Quarterback Carson Palmer to the Seattle Seahawks
4 of 10
Why does it always seem like former college coaches favor players from their past?
First-year Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll brought receiver Mike Williams back into the NFL and managed to get the most out of him. It gives some credence to the possibility of former USC quarterback Carson Palmer reuniting with his former coach in Seattle.
Palmer wants out of Cincinnati, and the Seahawks need a quarterback to take over for Matt Hasselbeck. Someone better than Charlie Whitehurst, that is.
The Bengals seem intent on not granting Palmer a trade, pushing him towards retirement, but why not ship him to Seattle if there's interest? They have all the power in the situation since they drafted Andy Dalton.
Palmer could do worse than Seattle, especially considering he would likely be the starter from day one given his history with Carroll.
Seattle needs a quarterback, and Cincinnati has no need for Palmer, plain and simple.
Redskins Defensive Tackle Albert Haynesworth to the Philadelphia Eagles
5 of 10
The Redskins have a big problem on their hands with Albert Haynesworth, weight issue notwithstanding. He's still owed a huge amount on his $100 million contract, but Washington has neither use nor want for Haynesworth.
An outright release would be a big cap hit and a trade is still unlikely. However, desperate times call for desperate measures, and the Redskins may have to make a move that sound minds would not advise.
Trading Haynesworth to the division rival Philadelphia Eagles would ease Washington's cap concerns, but create an entirely new headache if Haynesworth decides to try and recapture his 2008 form.
The Eagles could use a disruptive force on defense, and if Haynesworth puts in the work he could be that guy. The Redskins have nothing to lose except for a couple of games next year in the event that Haynesworth does play to his absolute best for the Eagles.
Haynesworth's deal may be too rich for the Eagles to consider in a trade, but if it is what's best for the Eagles it could happen.
Broncos Quarterback Kyle Orton to the Miami Dolphins
6 of 10
The Miami Dolphins didn't draft a quarterback in April and lack confidence in their current quarterbacks, Chad Henne, Chad Pennington and Tyler Thigpen.
They lack a franchise quarterback, and have been rumored to be one of many teams to be interested in Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton. Orton himself is not a franchise quarterback, but is a former teammate of Brandon Marshall to the tune of 101 receptions and 1,120 yards in 2009.
The Dolphins would get a quarterback with starting experience and sound decision making, even if he isn't considered franchise material.
With the logjam of quarterbacks the Broncos currently have, someone has to be shipped out.
John Elway doesn't seem certain about Tim Tebow as a franchise quarterback, which means Orton is valuable to the Broncos. However, the fact that he was drafted in the first round to be the future for the Broncos means he's just as valuable if not more so given his potential.
The Broncos are in a tight spot with quarterbacks, and deciding who stays and who goes could impact the franchise for years to come.
However, the Dolphins stand to win big with a solid quarterback with a good history with one of the best young receivers in the NFL, Brandon Marshall.
Bengals Receiver Chad Ochocinco to New England Patriots
7 of 10
One of the more baffling rumors this offseason is Chad Ochocinco to the New England Patriots. It makes sense in the sense that the Bengals are looking to move on from the T.Ocho Show, and don't want to taint their fresh new quarterback with jaded receivers.
What doesn't make sense is the destination.
The Patriots had their fill of petulant receivers with Randy Moss, and that was after 47 touchdowns and a Super Bowl appearance.
Ochocinco is flamboyant, inconsistent and a bit of a diva, none of which describe anything relating to Bill Belichick or the New England Patriots. They may need a receiver to take the pressure off of Wes Welker, but Ochocinco is not that player anymore.
Then again, perhaps it is a case of being on the wrong team, and a change of scenery would be the way to recapture his former explosiveness.
The Patriots aren't beyond taking chances on players, and Ochocinco is the type of player who can change games if he's put in position to make plays. Tom Brady is still one of the best in the NFL, and Ochocinco has never played with a quarterback as good as Brady.
Saints Running Back Reggie Bush to the San Francisco 49ers
8 of 10
Bringing in a new coach means changing the way things are done. Jim Harbaugh has a lot of talent to work with in San Francisco, and he could add to that talent once the offseason actually starts.
Reggie Bush has been rumored to be on the outs with New Orleans since they scaled back his role last season and drafted Mark Ingram for the future.
Bush as a 49er would give a young and versatile option behind the physical—and injury-prone—Frank Gore.
The 49ers have Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree as their best receivers, and Gore is a good receiver out of the backfield. However, if utilized in the proper way, Bush can be a dynamic slot receiver or third-down back the way he was with the Saints.
He won't find many teams looking to add him as a starting running back, but if he accepts his role as a utility player he has great value.
He is due a hefty $11.8 million in the final year of his deal, which makes a trade more difficult, but he could stand to earn a lot more with a good year as a member of the 49ers. Bush would be right at home in California, but do the Niners need him enough to trade for him?
Redskins Defensive Tackle Albert Haynesworth to the Denver Broncos
9 of 10
John Fox knows defense and his new team could use a lot of it in a big way. The Denver Broncos were ranked last in the NFL in team defense last season, producing just 23 sacks.
Albert Haynesworth is the type of player that can stuff the run and get to the quarterback, which fits perfectly in Denver where they didn't do much of either last season.
The Broncos need a player that can create problems for opposing offenses, and Haynesworth is great at doing both.
The biggest issue with Haynesworth in any trade is his contract. The Redskins foolishly signed him to the huge deal thinking he'd be a franchise changer, but he got fat (literally) and happy (monetarily).
He complained about the 3-4 scheme not being conducive to his individual success, and the Broncos are set to switch back to the 4-3 under Fox next season.
If Denver is willing to take the risk with Haynesworth, trading for him would be a huge boost for their defense. He has incentive to work hard, and would be right at home in Fox's scheme. But do the Broncos need the headache in their effort to rebuild?
Buccaneers Cornerback Aqib Talib to the New York Jets
10 of 10
This is more of an internet rumor than anything else, but to think that someone would consider this a sound football move is surprising.
Aqib Talib is a young and talented corner for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who has found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time doing all the wrong things. Talib was recently indicted by a grand jury following an arrest for felony charges of assault with a deadly weapon.
The rumor has the Bucs trading Talib to the New York Jets because Antonio Cromartie is due for a new deal and will likely demand a big contract.
Earlier rumors suggested that the Buccaneers were likely to release Talib in the wake of his legal troubles, but a trade would solve their problems all the same.
It wouldn't be the first time a team has given a troubled player a chance; let us not forget Adam (don't call me) "Pac Man" Jones receiving his shot at redemption in stints with the Cowboys and Bengals.
Talib has not reached Pac Man status just yet, but why would Rex Ryan bring in a player with character issues? Braylon Edwards is trouble enough, and the Jets are too close to Super Bowl contention to risk adding someone like Talib even if Cromartie doesn't return.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Post-June 1 Trade Candidates ☎️")
.JPG?w=600 "TO Talks Cowboys Relationship")
.jpg?w=600 "Taylor Heinicke Retiring")
.jpg?w=600 "49ers OC Hypes Mike Evans 🤩")