It’s cold outside in the 2025 NFL offseason, but trade rumors are heating up everything fast. The Scouting Combine is coming next week, and the kickoff of free agency, along with the new league year, is less than a month away.
All 32 teams need to start making plans for their rosters, with contenders trying to upgrade personnel and rebuilders working to get more draft capital. Two big names, a recent Defensive Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year, have been put on the block, but there are several other players in position to be dealt.
Here’s making 10 bold predictions for moves that could go down soon to change the fortunes of multiple teams, short and long-term,
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Bold predictions for NFL trade candidates
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Browns trade Myles Garrett to Commanders
The Commanders could use Garrett to anchor their front four under Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. He can be a game-changer for their pass rush and run defense, both of which need upgrades. Washington can go all in with more than $75 million in projected salary cap space while Jayden Daniels gives them elite QB play on his rookie contract. They are the Super Bowl contenders who can lock up Garrett with the most reasonable lucrative deal.
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Rams trade Cooper Kupp to Steelers
Kupp has many suitors, with the Cowboys, Ravens, and Bills in pursuit of the savvy slot ace. The Steelers would especially love to have him play off speedy deep threat George Pickens to give themselves a stable, reliable route-runner. Kupp can mesh with whoever the team decides to start at QB.
Jets trade Davante Adams to Ravens
With Aaron Rodgers headed out of New York, Adams should also think about relocating his Taco Bell for a second time in a calendar year. The Saints aren’t happening with Derek Carr being a lame duck, and Adams won’t be following Rodgers to limited options. He should perk up at the thought of working into a high-flying passing game with Lamar Jackson. Baltimore needs more of a big outside presence in the red zone vs. a Kupp-type for inside.
Dolphins trade Tyreek Hill to Chargers
Hill and the Dolphins have been wishy-washy on whether they want to keep working together. It’s becoming more evident Miami has gone from contender to a team far removed from making a championship run. Hill will turn 31 on March 1 and has precious little time to go after a second ring to match his one in Kansas City. Why not go bug the Chiefs with a little chip on his shoulder, trying to make big plays in the AFC West for Justin Herbert and the Chargers instead? Hill would thrive with Herbert’s big arm playing off promising second-year slot Ladd McConkey.
Falcons trade Kyle Pitts to Chiefs
This might be a good proactive move for Kansas City regardless of whether Travis Kelce decides to retire this offseason. Pitts has been a misfit in Atlanta through multiple offensive coordinators, and Michael Penix Jr. also doesn’t seem like a quarterback with which he can mesh. Everyone can click with Patrick Mahomes, and Pitts is the kind of untapped, athletic target who Andy Reid can get the best from in his system.
Rams trade Matthew Stafford to Vikings
The Vikings can’t be ruled out for a QB upgrade, and getting Stafford in Kevin O’Connell’s Sean McVay-like system would give them a higher playoff ceiling than they had with pending free agent Sam Darnold. Stafford could also allow the cap-rich Vikings to keep stashing first-rounder J.J. McCarthy, essentially giving him another “redshirt season” before he takes over for Stafford in a year or two.
49ers trade Deebo Samuel to Broncos
Samuel would be used well in Denver, with Sean Payton and Joe Lombardi designing special packages for him on top of favorable complementary receiving work opposite Courtland Sutton. Samuel needs a change from a winning, veteran-filled locker room, and this would give him a chance to reset as a leader for a youthful up-and-coming contender.
Seahawks trade Geno Smith to Raiders
The Seahawks need to turn the page at QB soon as they undergo a second offensive transition in as many seasons, this time from Ryan Grubb to Klint Kubiak. Smith got the job done in multiple seasons post Russell Wilson’s fall, but now it would make sense to move him to former Seahawks coach Pete Carroll. The other intriguing aspect is the fact that Smith was once under the purview of new Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, so he can definitely handle his system well.
Bengals trade Sam Hubbard to Lions
The Lions may not be able to outbid the Commanders for the services of Garrett, but they can land another AFC North star from Ohio. Hubbard is likely to be too expensive for the Bengals, who have long-term deals for reigning sack champion Trey Hendrickson and WRs Ja’Marr Chasee and Tee Higgins looming. Hubbard would be a great fit with Aidan Hutchinson as his new Hendrickson.
Cowboys trade Micah Parsons for Seahawks WR DK Metcalf
Dallas might need to move Parsons, who has been rumbling about grumbling, thanks to a faded defense around him and the Cowboys’ waning star as NFC Super Bowl contenders. The Seahawks should be first in line, as Parsons can be the ultimate pass-rushing chess piece for Mike Macdonald’s hybrid schemes. In return, Seattle can help Dallas find a big, outside No. 2 to complement CeeDee Lamb’s domination in the slot. Metcalf for Parsons wouldn’t work straight-up, but the Seahawks should be willing to add a high draft pick package to make Parsons’ acquisition work.
