Groups have inquired to the Seattle Seahawks concerning the availability of standout linebacker Boye Mafe and former Professional Bowl cornerback Riq Woolen, sources informed ESPN on Saturday.
Seattle hasn’t wished to commerce Mafe or Woolen, in keeping with sources, however it is going to be attention-grabbing to see how aggressive one other group is likely to be forward of Tuesday’s NFL commerce deadline.
The Seahawks have some large contracts to pay of their future — extensive receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, offensive deal with Charles Cross and cornerback Devon Witherspoon — they usually cannot afford to pay everybody.
Mafe, who turns 27 later this month, recorded 15 sacks over the previous two seasons, however he enters Sunday with zero sacks and just one deal with for loss in seven video games this 12 months. The 2022 second-round draft choice is about to change into a free agent after this season.
Woolen additionally was drafted in 2022 by Seattle — within the sixth spherical — and likewise has struggled this season after an awesome begin to his profession. He tied for the league lead with six interceptions as a rookie, however has no interceptions and three passes defensed this season. Woolen’s rookie deal additionally is about to run out after this season.
A number of different high-profile gamers across the NFL have been mentioned forward of Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET commerce deadline:
• The Bengals have informed groups they do not intend to commerce Trey Hendrickson, sources informed ESPN. But when the Bengals lose Sunday to the Bears and drop to 3-6, there are some sources who’ve questioned if that is likely to be sufficient to vary Cincinnati’s stance on Hendrickson.
Hendrickson, who didn’t observe this week and is uncertain to play Sunday due to a hip harm, had a protracted contract dispute with the Bengals that ended two weeks earlier than the beginning of the season, when he acquired a $13 million increase for the ultimate 12 months of his present contract. The four-time Professional Bowler has 4 sacks in six video games this season.
One other Cincinnati defensive standout whose title has come up because the deadline approaches is linebacker Logan Wilson, who requested to be traded lower than two weeks in the past.
Groups which have expressed some degree of curiosity in Wilson are the Payments, Cowboys and Colts, sources informed ESPN. Wilson is also listed as uncertain for Sunday’s recreation in opposition to the Bears due to a calf harm.
• The Vikings didn’t wish to head into this season with out an skilled veteran backup quarterback, which is why — after they traded Sam Howell to the Eagles — they already had a deal lined up with veteran Carson Wentz, who underwent season-ending shoulder surgical procedure final week.
If that was Minnesota’s thought course of earlier than the season, sources consider it might be the identical now, with the Vikings nonetheless needing an skilled veteran backup quarterback for J.J. McCarthy.
Kirk Cousins would make sense, however the Falcons have not proven any willingness to commerce him, and Atlanta wants an skilled veteran backup of its personal. The Giants even have two skilled backups in Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston.
League sources consider Minnesota nonetheless may make a transfer for some sort of quarterback by Tuesday’s deadline.
• Whereas Cleveland already has accomplished three trades up to now month — buying offensive deal with Cam Robinson, sending quarterback Joe Flacco to Cincinnati, and swapping cornerbacks with Jacksonville — most sources consider that the Browns will probably be patrons greater than sellers earlier than the deadline.
The Browns don’t sound inclined to commerce tight finish David Njoku, however they’ve been calling across the league, nonetheless wanting so as to add high quality younger gamers to their roster.