Bradley Chubb, TJ Hockenson, Chase Claypool, William Jackson III, Jeff Wilson and Nyheim Hines were among the players on the move, days after teams sent others, including Roquan Smith and Robert Quinn, to new homes. The Green Bay Packers, meanwhile, have remained on the sideline despite obvious needs and Aaron Rodgers’ shrinking championship window. While the details of each move can be interesting, the view from 5,000 feet reveals more meaningful information. Trades show what groups think about themselves, right or wrong, while raising questions about what some groups think. See what the Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers and Indianapolis Colts are telling us and why some of their moves make more sense than others. We’ll also look at what the Packers are signaling by standing pat.
Miami Dolphins send San Francisco’s 2023 first-round pick (currently 20th), a 2024 fourth-rounder and running back Chase Edmunds to the Denver Broncos for pass-rusher Bradley Chubb and a 2025 fifth-rounder
What Miami tells us: The Dolphins are signaling they feel good enough about their quarterback situation next year to trade their biggest remaining chip for a different one. Miami apparently plans to move on with Tua Tagovailoa beyond this season, though anything seems possible for an organization that secretly tried to land Tom Brady and was fined by the league for tampering. After trading first round picks to acquire Jaylen Waddle, Tyreek Hill and now Chubb, what about the offensive line? What Denver tells us: The addition of Russell Wilson didn’t make the Broncos an immediate Super Bowl contender, or they wouldn’t have unloaded a top pass rusher at the deadline. Wilson’s new contract forces Denver to be all-in with him for multiple seasons, not just this one. The Broncos now have one eye on the horizon after entering this season with big thoughts. Early returns suggest the Broncos abused Wilson, coach Nathaniel Hackett, their team or some combination of the three. They weren’t the only ones. Before the season, a $100 bet on Denver to win the Super Bowl would have returned about $1700 if the team won it all. Now, that same bet would return as much as $15,000 if Denver somehow claimed the Lombardi Trophy. As for Chubb, Denver should see him as a good player more than a great one. By trading him, the Broncos avoid paying him big-time money on a new deal. The Broncos picked up a needed 2023 first-round pick, which Wilson could encourage them to use on the offensive line.
The Minnesota Vikings send 2023 second- and third-round picks to the Detroit Lions for TJ Hockenson, a 2023 fourth-rounder and a 2024 fourth-rounder that becomes a fifth if the Vikings win a playoff game.
What Minnesota tells us: The Vikings may think they can make a deep playoff run this year given the state of the NFC. They may also believe that a tight end can be an important part of the equation after losing Irv Smith to injury. This trade provides more evidence that having a GM with a background in analytics doesn’t compel a team to behave accordingly, as moving out of the 2023 second round for a player that could be costly to preserve the Vikings’ flexibility limits in future. At worst, this move reflected the Vikings’ inexperience in leadership roles. It’s not hard to imagine a first-time head coach, with an offensive game, worrying his first GM about how much he needs to replace an injured tight end. It’s not hard to imagine such a team making a short-sighted move for a non-premium position player. Hockenson is under contract next season for $9.3 million. The franchise tag value for the tight ends in 2024 could be $12-15 million. At best, Hockenson gives the Vikings coach a chess piece to maximize for years to come, in an NFC North that Green Bay looks less likely to dominate in the future. What Detroit tells us: The Lions, 1-6 and currently the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft, aren’t winning anything this season, so they’re looking to the future. They weren’t interested in paying whatever it took to re-sign Hockenson down the line. They form as a natural running group. Hockenson is more of a receiver than a blocker — not a tight end in coach Dan Campbell’s image, who played the position at 265 pounds. The passing game will revolve around receiver Jameson Williams, the 12th pick in the 2022 draft, and Amon-Ra St. Brown. The picks from Minnesota might be better spent upgrading the defense.
Chicago Bears send 2023 second-round pick to Pittsburgh Steelers for receiver Chase Claypool
What Chicago tells us: Evaluating quarterback Justin Fields in the second half of the season will be easier with another weapon, especially one who’s young (24), big (6-foot-4, 238 pounds) and affordable ($1.5 million salary next season) as Claypool. If it felt like the Bears were giving up on the season after trading Smith and Quinn, this move adds to the excitement that has been gathering around the Bears offense in recent weeks. What Pittsburgh tells us: The Steelers like rookie George Pickens and their overall depth at receiver enough to move Claypool for draft capital instead of extending his contract after one more year. It also looks like the Steelers will be more active in those markets as they continue in a rebuilding mode under a new GM in Omar Khan.
The Atlanta Falcons send receiver Calvin Ridley to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a 2023 fifth-round pick and a 2024 quarterback that upgrades to a third if Ridley hits incentives and a second if Ridley signs an extension
What Atlanta tells us: The Falcons are done with Ridley, who remains suspended for gambling and previously took time off for what he called his mental well-being. The Falcons then used their first 10 picks on pass rushers while implementing a run-oriented offense. What Jacksonville tells us: It appears that GM Trent Baalke is buying low in hopes that the investment will pay off big. He did it as GM of the 49ers and was criticized when injured draft picks like Tank Carradine and Marcus Lattimore didn’t pan out. In Jacksonville, the 2021 pick for injury safety Andre Cisco could pay off, as Cisco has started all eight games this season and has two interceptions, including a pick-6. Ridley joins a young receiving corps with free agent additions Christian Kirk and Jay Jones.
Buffalo Bills send back Zack Moss and a conditional sixth-round pick in 2023 to Indianapolis Colts to return Nyheim Hines
What Buffalo tells us: The Bills are close to winning it all and haven’t had to do much, but with some pesky needs, why not address them? The Hines is a definite upgrade from the Moss. Buffalo also addressed safety depth by acquiring Dean Marlowe from Atlanta seventh overall in 2023. What Indianapolis tells us: Paying the rest of Moss’ $978,750 salary for this season is preferable to the rest of Hines’ $3.3 million salary, especially without a quarterback who can maximize Hines’ value in the pass rush games (although a big throw and catch by Sam Ehlinger to Hines in Week 8). There is no other obvious reason to do this for the Colts.
The Green Bay Packers aren’t sending anything to anyone, despite having obvious needs at receiver
Look around the NFC North. The Bears just acquired a receiver from Pittsburgh. The Vikings just got a blowout from Detroit. The Lions are nearing the debut of Williams, their 12th-ranked receiver this year. The Packers, with as dire a need at receiver as any team, were either unwilling or unable to make a deal to upgrade the position. It’s hard to see why, especially when considering the reasons behind the huge gap in offensive output between Kansas City and Green Bay after both teams traded top receivers in the offseason. Two executives from other teams asked if the Packers were unwilling to take risks through trade acquisitions or perhaps unsure how to complete such deals. Whatever the case, Green Bay tells us that the roster as it stands right now is basically the roster the Packers plan to play with for the rest of the season, for better or for worse. (TJ Hockenson Photo: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
title: “Nfl Trade Deadline What The Dolphins Vikings Lions Packers And Others Are Telling Us " ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-27” author: “Jeffery Rodriguez”
Bradley Chubb, TJ Hockenson, Chase Claypool, William Jackson III, Jeff Wilson and Nyheim Hines were among the players on the move, days after teams sent others, including Roquan Smith and Robert Quinn, to new homes. The Green Bay Packers, meanwhile, have remained on the sideline despite obvious needs and Aaron Rodgers’ shrinking championship window. While the details of each move can be interesting, the view from 5,000 feet reveals more meaningful information. Trades show what groups think about themselves, right or wrong, while raising questions about what some groups think. See what the Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers and Indianapolis Colts are telling us and why some of their moves make more sense than others. We’ll also look at what the Packers are signaling by standing pat.
Miami Dolphins send San Francisco’s 2023 first-round pick (currently 20th), a 2024 fourth-rounder and running back Chase Edmunds to the Denver Broncos for pass-rusher Bradley Chubb and a 2025 fifth-rounder
What Miami tells us: The Dolphins are signaling they feel good enough about their quarterback situation next year to trade their biggest remaining chip for a different one. Miami apparently plans to move on with Tua Tagovailoa beyond this season, though anything seems possible for an organization that secretly tried to land Tom Brady and was fined by the league for tampering. After trading first round picks to acquire Jaylen Waddle, Tyreek Hill and now Chubb, what about the offensive line? What Denver tells us: The addition of Russell Wilson didn’t make the Broncos an immediate Super Bowl contender, or they wouldn’t have unloaded a top pass rusher at the deadline. Wilson’s new contract forces Denver to be all-in with him for multiple seasons, not just this one. The Broncos now have one eye on the horizon after entering this season with big thoughts. Early returns suggest the Broncos abused Wilson, coach Nathaniel Hackett, their team or some combination of the three. They weren’t the only ones. Before the season, a $100 bet on Denver to win the Super Bowl would have returned about $1700 if the team won it all. Now, that same bet would return as much as $15,000 if Denver somehow claimed the Lombardi Trophy. As for Chubb, Denver should see him as a good player more than a great one. By trading him, the Broncos avoid paying him big-time money on a new deal. The Broncos picked up a needed 2023 first-round pick, which Wilson could encourage them to use on the offensive line.
The Minnesota Vikings send 2023 second- and third-round picks to the Detroit Lions for TJ Hockenson, a 2023 fourth-rounder and a 2024 fourth-rounder that becomes a fifth if the Vikings win a playoff game.
What Minnesota tells us: The Vikings may think they can make a deep playoff run this year given the state of the NFC. They may also believe that a tight end can be an important part of the equation after losing Irv Smith to injury. This trade provides more evidence that having a GM with a background in analytics doesn’t compel a team to behave accordingly, as moving out of the 2023 second round for a player that could be costly to preserve the Vikings’ flexibility limits in future. At worst, this move reflected the Vikings’ inexperience in leadership roles. It’s not hard to imagine a first-time head coach, with an offensive game, worrying his first GM about how much he needs to replace an injured tight end. It’s not hard to imagine such a team making a short-sighted move for a non-premium position player. Hockenson is under contract next season for $9.3 million. The franchise tag value for the tight ends in 2024 could be $12-15 million. At best, Hockenson gives the Vikings coach a chess piece to maximize for years to come, in an NFC North that Green Bay looks less likely to dominate in the future. What Detroit tells us: The Lions, 1-6 and currently the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft, aren’t winning anything this season, so they’re looking to the future. They weren’t interested in paying whatever it took to re-sign Hockenson down the line. They form as a natural running group. Hockenson is more of a receiver than a blocker — not a tight end in coach Dan Campbell’s image, who played the position at 265 pounds. The passing game will revolve around receiver Jameson Williams, the 12th pick in the 2022 draft, and Amon-Ra St. Brown. The picks from Minnesota might be better spent upgrading the defense.
Chicago Bears send 2023 second-round pick to Pittsburgh Steelers for receiver Chase Claypool
What Chicago tells us: Evaluating quarterback Justin Fields in the second half of the season will be easier with another weapon, especially one who’s young (24), big (6-foot-4, 238 pounds) and affordable ($1.5 million salary next season) as Claypool. If it felt like the Bears were giving up on the season after trading Smith and Quinn, this move adds to the excitement that has been gathering around the Bears offense in recent weeks. What Pittsburgh tells us: The Steelers like rookie George Pickens and their overall depth at receiver enough to move Claypool for draft capital instead of extending his contract after one more year. It also looks like the Steelers will be more active in those markets as they continue in a rebuilding mode under a new GM in Omar Khan.
The Atlanta Falcons send receiver Calvin Ridley to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a 2023 fifth-round pick and a 2024 quarterback that upgrades to a third if Ridley hits incentives and a second if Ridley signs an extension
What Atlanta tells us: The Falcons are done with Ridley, who remains suspended for gambling and previously took time off for what he called his mental well-being. The Falcons then used their first 10 picks on pass rushers while implementing a run-oriented offense. What Jacksonville tells us: It appears that GM Trent Baalke is buying low in hopes that the investment will pay off big. He did it as GM of the 49ers and was criticized when injured draft picks like Tank Carradine and Marcus Lattimore didn’t pan out. In Jacksonville, the 2021 pick for injury safety Andre Cisco could pay off, as Cisco has started all eight games this season and has two interceptions, including a pick-6. Ridley joins a young receiving corps with free agent additions Christian Kirk and Jay Jones.
Buffalo Bills send back Zack Moss and a conditional sixth-round pick in 2023 to Indianapolis Colts to return Nyheim Hines
What Buffalo tells us: The Bills are close to winning it all and haven’t had to do much, but with some pesky needs, why not address them? The Hines is a definite upgrade from the Moss. Buffalo also addressed safety depth by acquiring Dean Marlowe from Atlanta seventh overall in 2023. What Indianapolis tells us: Paying the rest of Moss’ $978,750 salary for this season is preferable to the rest of Hines’ $3.3 million salary, especially without a quarterback who can maximize Hines’ value in the pass rush games (although a big throw and catch by Sam Ehlinger to Hines in Week 8). There is no other obvious reason to do this for the Colts.
The Green Bay Packers aren’t sending anything to anyone, despite having obvious needs at receiver
Look around the NFC North. The Bears just acquired a receiver from Pittsburgh. The Vikings just got a blowout from Detroit. The Lions are nearing the debut of Williams, their 12th-ranked receiver this year. The Packers, with as dire a need at receiver as any team, were either unwilling or unable to make a deal to upgrade the position. It’s hard to see why, especially when considering the reasons behind the huge gap in offensive output between Kansas City and Green Bay after both teams traded top receivers in the offseason. Two executives from other teams asked if the Packers were unwilling to take risks through trade acquisitions or perhaps unsure how to complete such deals. Whatever the case, Green Bay tells us that the roster as it stands right now is basically the roster the Packers plan to play with for the rest of the season, for better or for worse. (TJ Hockenson Photo: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
