The NFL offseason has been brewing with news, and at this point, a blockbuster trade would be enough to create headlines and news.
The Johnathan Taylor saga, the 49ers QB dilemma, and the Kansas City Chiefs looking to repeat are some of the many headlines of the 2023 NFL offseason.
However, nothing shakes an offseason up like a big trade. The Khalil Mack trade did it in 2018, and it wound up panning out for the Chicago Bears as they went on to win the NFC North before getting double-doinked against the Eagles. The Tyreek Hill trade from Kansas City to Miami was also significant, as Hill got his money while the Chiefs collected another ring.
That was the past; now comes the present to determine what happens in the future. Blockbuster trades to start the season immediately change game plans for coaches, and for the teams, expectations for making the NFL Playoffs (and more) rise and fall due to making a deal.
Let's look at ten trades that could alter plans and expectations if they happen before Week 1. All deals were run through the PFF Simulator.
NFL Rumors: 10 blockbuster trades that need to happen before Week 1
10. Washington Commanders trade WR Terry McLaurin to the Chicago Bears
Wait, didn't the Bears already acquire DJ Moore? And? Now the Bears are supposed to stand pat so Mike Tannenbaum and Colin Cowherd can keep taking shots at Justin Fields.
Nope. This is not the old Bears, this is a diligent but savvy group with their draft capital, and they make a move for a player on a team that could use some new draft capital.
Despite their lackluster 2022 season, they got some help in the draft and added some viable pieces through free agency. By packaging the picks they acquired in trades and trading Chase Claypool, Chicago gets back a proven option and an extra late-round selection to use later on.
Plus, this helps Moore move to a comfortable No. 2 and create more mismatches while allowing McLaurin to step up against No. 1 corners and cause headaches. At the same time, Terry McLaurin is already paid and well-established, meaning he would instantly provide help to the Bears' offense.
Washinton gets capital to build for the future and a big receiver, while Chicago gets another piece for Justin Fields to help speed up his development.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers trade OT Tristan Wirfs to the Denver Broncos
It doesn't make sense from the outskirts: Why would Tampa Bay be willing to trade their best pass protector to a Denver team?
For one, it almost seems that Denver is fully committed to Russell Wilson, and Sean Payton's aggressive nature is not unknown in the NFL. He will do what it takes to get an offense to be elite.
That starts with the trenches. Denver's O-Line has not been the same since their Super Bowl 50 win, and even that group had question marks that the defense helped cover up. Wirfs would instantly upgrade the pass protection in Denver, given his resumé and Super Bowl experience (LV vs KC).
Additionally, Tampa Bay gets two first-rounders back, along with Garett Bolles, who is a very productive tackle and would help the Buccaneers tremendously.
The Tom Brady era is over, and it's time to rebuild and reload. Two first-rounders to make it four over two years will go a long way in helping replenish the team and re-establishing their culture.
8. Carolina Panthers trade DT Derrick Brown to the Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers play in the AFC West. That's all you really need to know. The Raiders exist, as do Sean Payton and the Broncos. And then, there's Patrick Mahomes.
Controlling the line of scrimmage is a must in this division, and the Chargers need all the help they can get.
Given what happened in last year's playoffs, a lack of urgency on the line resulted in a collapse. As such, the time to add beef up front is now, given that Justin Herbert, though he got paid, is in a position to take that next step, despite whatever Emmanuel Acho wants to say.
Carolina is still in a rebuild though they have a potential franchise quarterback in Bryce Young. More picks will be required to help this team get into a position where they can consistently compete for championships. Both sides can walk away from this without blinking and feel satisfied with their returns.
7. New Orleans Saints trade OT Ryan Ramczyk to the Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow will eventually get paid along with Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase. But despite their prowess, they need help up front; Super Bowl LVI showed it. Orlando Brown Jr. was acquired in free agency, but a solid right tackle still is required. Look no further than the Big Easy and its front line for help and stability.
Cincinnati is not usually one to trade their draft picks, but in this case, they package La'el Collins and two second-rounders and ship him to New Orleans for Ryan Ramczyk, who instantly upgrades the offensive line with his durability and leadership. Cincinnati is going for a Super Bowl and needs all the help they can get.
Meanwhile, the Saints are in a division that is very winnable, as is the NFC. If he is indeed the franchise quarterback going forward, Derek Carr needs more talent, and the best way to get that is through the draft. Getting additional draft capital, which the Saints have done well with using the previous years, gives more chances to fill out the roster.
6. Washington Commanders trade DE Chase Young to the Indianapolis Colts
Given that Washington has already paid their two defensive tackles big money, giving the bag to Jonathan Allen and Da'Ron Payne, it will be challenging for them to keep both Chase Young and Montez Sweat. As a result, Washington may choose to move from the former No. 2 overall pick, and the Colts come calling.
It may be a daring move, but there's not much choice right now. Furthermore, with a division that is up for grabs, it would be wise to take advantage of the rookie-scale contract of Anthony Richardson. Again, it's a bold call given the injury situations from Young, but you have to look at other factors as well. Young has been getting triple-teamed at times, which hurts his ability to get after the quarterback.
The chances are that Young won't face those situations with the Colts, allowing him to use his abilities in a division where, again, it's really up for grabs despite what Jacksonville has done recently with Trevor Lawrence. Houston has CJ Stroud, and Tennessee is mostly the Derrick Henry show. The Colts could make some noise if they work out this deal.
5. New York Giants trade RB Saquon Barkley to the Buffalo Bills
As much as Josh Allen has been prolific when running with the football, the reality is that the wear and tear will eventually catch up. As such, the Bills need a running back to soften the load and make it easier for their franchise quarterback. There could be an option that wears a tad different shade of blue.
The issues with Saquon Barkley and the Giants stem largely from contract disputes. Though he has signed a deal, it is clear that Barkley was looking for more long-term stability. By coming to Buffalo, there is a good chance he will get that, but he also gets an opportunity to compete for a championship. Buffalo has been oh-so-close far too many times. They need that one ring, and this year is an excellent chance to get it.
Getting a dynamic running back that can help control the clock and make it easier for Buffalo's defense to get rest and energized could be the missing piece of the offense. At this point, giving the G-men a call is worth a shot. On the other hand, this gives New York extra draft capital to build around Daniel Jones.
4. San Francisco 49ers trade DE Nick Bosa to the Los Angeles Chargers
Before Jason McCourty was traded to the Patriots, brother Devin told Bill Belichick, "Two McCourtys are better than one." Needless to say, it panned out. Now, the Chargers make a deal with San Francisco and land Nick Bosa to pair alongside Joey to form an elite pass-rush duo. San Francisco gets compensated well by receiving Khalil Mack in exchange for replacing Bosa.
This is clearly a shot in the dark because the Chargers are sending a lot of draft capital and a talented edge rusher in Mack as part of the package. But sometimes, familiarity is the best scheme. Joey and Nick have played together before (duh), and both would form a duo that could wreak havoc in the AFC West.
Meanwhile, Mack gets to chase a ring in the NFC, and the road to prosperity or an NFC title is substantially less demanding. Philadelphia is, at least for now, the only major threat to San Francisco, that and who's going to play quarterback. Both sides get an elite edge rusher, while the 49ers get some draft capital to find a QB should Trey Lance (or maybe even Brock Purdy) not pan out.
3. Kansas City Chiefs trade DT Chris Jones to the Chicago Bears
In essence, the Bears would trade the two picks they got from Carolina in the Bryce Young swap, use them to land Chris Jones and take him from Kansas City. Most Bears fans will probably not want this deal because they drafted two defensive tackles in Round 2 this past year. That may be true, but Jones is different.
The NFC is a wide-open gate, and if the Bears want to make any statement, they need someone on their team that is instantly recognizable and would force offenses to pay attention to him. That would be Jones. It would be similar to the Khalil Mack trade made by Ryan Pace, but Chicago doesn't necessarily mortgage their future as they did with Pace.
The current contract dispute between Jones and the Chiefs' front office gives reason for a trade like this to possibly happen. Chicago will probably try to avoid it, but it wouldn't be a big surprise if this deal were to go down. It would certainly make for great headlines and put the Bears among the upper-tier teams in the league.
2. Arizona Cardinals trade QB Kyler Murray to the Washington Commanders
This would be a stunner. But, given the situation permeating the desert, it appears as if the Cardinals will be focusing heavily on acquiring Caleb Williams to be their next franchise QB, one that has not been seen since Kurt Warner ran the show and led Arizona to a Super Bowl appearance.
Conversely, Washington needs a signal caller and has not had one in a long time. Though the Eagles are the class of the division, Washington's defense is strong enough to help them win the division, but they need a signal caller. Murray would help provide that for this offense with his mobility and playmaking.
It would cost a bit, but it would help Washington's offense tremendously if they had a competent signal caller. Despite some issues off the field that aren't major red flags and warrant extra attention, on the field, Kyler Murray can play. The wild card game against the Rams was rough, but the Commanders need a new face behind center. Murray can step in and help this team right away.
1. Kansas City Chiefs acquire Jonathan Taylor from Indianapolis Colts
Good lord, have mercy. This would be as big as when the Patriots traded for Corey Dillon from the Cincinnati Bengals after the 03-04 season. Dillon would help the Patriots take down the Eagles at the end of Super Bowl XXXIX. If Taylor joins the Colts, load up the red and yellow confetti in Vegas right now.
KC's offense is heavily predicated on the pass, even though rookie Isaiah Pacheco came up strong at the end of last season. But without a true threat in the backfield, the only thing defenses have to do is to get pressure on Patrick Mahomes, which many have not done (the notable occurrence being Tampa Bay in Super Bowl LV).
A strong running game still helps win games in the modern NFL, despite the disrespect that has been given to the running back market. Jonathan Taylor, for the price of two second-round picks, would be enough to provide the Kingdom with another warrior for the attack as they look to defend their crown once again.