Full Breakdown
NFL Trade Rumor Landscape: Key Players Ahead of 2024 Season
7/3/2026, 3:48:25 PM
Player Trade Situations
Brandon Aiyuk – San Francisco 49ers
- Four-year, $120 M contract signed less than two years ago; knee injury; 49ers voided money for 2026.
- Expressed desire to join Washington Commanders and reunite with teammate Jayden Daniels after a social-media tirade that hurt his public image.
- GM John Lynch retains leverage to trade or cut him; lowest.
Anthony Richardson – Indianapolis Colts
- No. 4 overall pick three years ago; 15 starts, two injury-lost seasons.
- Remains on Colts roster to seek a trade in February; no market emerged.
- Colts declined his fifth-year option and extended starter Daniel Jones; open to moving him, a backup if retained beyond 2026.
Kayshon Boutte – New England Patriots
- Started 23 games, 500-yard receiver.
- Patriots added A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs, reducing Boutte’s role.
- Reported interest in a trade; action expected this summer.
Josh Sweat – Arizona Cardinals
- Recorded 12 sacks in debut season; first year of a four-year, $76.4 M deal.
- Reunited with former defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon before staff changes.
- Conflicting reports: ESPN says he will not be traded despite interest from Green Bay Packers, leaving the Cardinals’ strategy unclear.
Kayvon Thibodeaux – New York Giants
- Giants denied trade talks, calling the rumors false.
- Injuries limited him to 12 games in each of the past two seasons; production fell after an 11.5-sack 2023 campaign.
- Final contract year in 2026; Giants may use the season as a prove-it period or trade him.
Maxx Crosby – Las Vegas Raiders
- Trade to Baltimore Ravens collapsed after medical-exam concerns.
- Meniscus repair pending; expected to return at Raiders training camp.
- Raiders could consider trading him for high draft capital if he regains value.
James Conner – Arizona Cardinals
- Season-ending ankle injury in 2023; now third-string behind rookie Jeremiayh Love (No. 3 overall) and free-agent Tyler Allgeier.
- Contract restructured to lower cap hit from $9.83 M to $4.83 M, making a move more affordable.
- Potentially attractive to teams needing a veteran running back.
Why It Matters
- The pending moves involve contracts and draft capital, influencing team's salary-cap flexibility and depth as they rebuild or contend.
- Shifts in wide-receiver, defensive-end, and running-back positions could reshape offensive and defensive strategies across the league ahead of the 2024 season.
Verbatim Quotes
- “has been interested in a trade” — Adam Schefter, ESPN
- “not true.” — Joe Schoen, General Manager, New York Giants
- “The San Francisco 49ers already went so far as to say Brandon Aiyuk will not play another game in the Bay Area.” — San Francisco 49ers
- “It has been almost four months since the trade that would have sent Maxx Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens fell through, and it still remains arguably the biggest surprise of the offseason.” — CBS Sports
What’s Next
- The NFL trade deadline in late October will force teams to decide on the listed players.
- Free-agency after the 2024 season will shape outcomes for Aiyuk, Richardson, Thibodeaux, and others.
