W-L                 Conf

1  Kansas City       West         5-1                   3-0

2  Miami                 East          5-1                   3-1

3  Baltimore           North        4-2                  4-2

4  Jacksonville       South        4-2                   3-2

5  Buffalo               WC1         4-2                   2-2

6  Pittsburgh          WC2         3-2                   3-1

7  Cleveland          WC3         3-2                  2-2

8  Indianapolis                       3-3                    3-2

9  Houston                             3-3                   2-2

10 NY Jets                             3-3                   2-2

11 Las Vegas                         3-3                  2-3

12 Cincinnati                          3-3                  0-3

Baltimore displaces idle Pittsburgh atop the AFC North – but all four teams are within a game of each other.

Twelve of the 16 teams are at .500 or better.  Leading one to ask, how is the AFC-NFC series going?  The AFC is up 16-12, led by the Bengals who are 3-0 with wins over the Rams, Cardinals and Seahawks.

In the NFC, you have the two unbeatens.

1  San Francisco    West        5-1                   4-0

2  Philadelphia        East         5-1                   4-0

3  Detroit                 North       5-1                   4-1

4  Tampa Bay         South       3-2                   3-2

5  Dallas                 WC1        4-2                   1-2

6  Seattle                WC2        3-2                   3-1

7  LA Rams            WC3         3-3                   2-2

8  Washington                       3-3                   2-2

9  Atlanta                                3-3                   2-2

10 New Orleans                      3-3                   1-2

The Lions move into a tie for the NFC lead.  Of the 10 top teams, the NFC North has only Detroit, while the other three divisions all have three.

Atlanta at Tampa Bay on Sunday is for the division lead.

At the other end of the scale – here are the current top 10 draft picks (Chicago twice at the top thanks to the Panthers) with analysis from Chad Reuter of NFL.com:

1  Chicago Bears   PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE CAROLINA PANTHERS

Panthers’ record: 0-6 (.600 strength of schedule)

Panthers’ Week 7 opponent: Bye

Bears’ biggest needs: IOL, WR, Edge, DT, TE

2  Chicago Bears

1-5 · .471 (strength of schedule)

Week 7 opponent: vs. Raiders

DJ Moore has played well, but ill-fated trade acquisition Chase Claypool was sent to Miami and Darnell Mooney is scheduled to be a free agent. Justin Fields’ ability to prove himself as a playoff-caliber quarterback depends on the team improving the overall talent on offense

3 Arizona Cardinals

1-5 · .528

Biggest needs: CB, WR, DT, Edge, OG

Week 7 opponent: at Seahawks

It seems safe to say head coach Jonathan Gannon, formerly the Eagles’ DC, will be looking to continue to build the defensive front he envisions for the Cardinals in 2024. The process began earlier this year when the team drafted edge rusher BJ Ojulari and defensive lineman Dante Stills.

4  Denver Broncos

1-5 · .556

Biggest needs: DT, Edge, CB, S, C

Week 7 opponent: vs. Packers

The Broncos need more depth behind Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper to pressure quarterbacks after recently parting with Frank Clark (released) and Randy Gregory (traded).

5  New York Giants

1-5 · .629

Biggest needs: RB, WR, Edge, S, OG

Week 7 opponent: vs. Commanders

Unless the Giants turn things around quickly, there will be some serious questions to be answered after the season, one of the largest being whether Saquon Barkley returns. He’s playing on a one-year deal in 2023.

6 New England Patriots

1-5 · .639

Biggest needs: QB, OT, TE, WR, RB

Week 7 opponent: vs. Bills

The Patriots are averaging just 12 points per game, second-fewest in the league. Upgrades are needed everywhere on offense, starting at quarterback with Mac Jones seemingly regressing in Year 3.

7  Minnesota Vikings

2-4 · .471

Biggest needs: QB, Edge, DT, CB, RB

Week 7 opponent: vs. 49ers

With Kirk Cousins’ contract due to expire after this season, the Vikings could be in the quarterback market in 2024. I liked the selection of Jaren Hall in the fifth round this year, but it won’t surprise me if one of the top quarterback prospects in the ’24 class is wearing purple next season.

8  Tennessee Titans

2-4 · .529

Biggest needs: DT, WR, RB, OT, Edge

Week 7 opponent: Bye

Derrick Henry is still one of the top backs in the league when healthy, but he will turn 30 in January and is scheduled to reach free agency in the offseason. Tyjae Spears might need a new running mate in 2024.

9  Green Bay Packers

2-3 · .500

Biggest needs: OT, S, IOL, Edge, CB

Week 7 opponent: at Broncos

Jordan Love needs a more cohesive offensive line to help him succeed. David Bakhtiari’s knee issues are well-documented and the rest of the line has struggled at times. An overhaul around Elgton Jenkins and Zach Tom seems like a legitimate possibility.

10  Los Angeles Chargers

2-3 · .533

Biggest needs: RB, C, CB, DT, WR

Week 7 opponent: at Chiefs

Austin Ekeler and the Chargers revised his deal for this year, but now he and backup Joshua Kelley are scheduled to hit the open market in 2024.

DETROIT

RB DAVID MONTGOMERY is ailing.  Ryan Young of YahooSports.com:

Lions running back David Montgomery was sidelined in Detroit’s 20-6 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday due to a rib injury.

On Monday, head coach Dan Campbell told reporters that he injured his rib cartilage and is expected to miss some time.

“He’s probably gonna be down for a little bit, here,” Campbell said. “I don’t know how long. At his position, that’s not an easy thing to deal with. We’ll just take it as it comes. I think there’s a chance we won’t have him for a little bit.”

Asked about a stint on injured reserve, Campbell said: “I have no idea.”

Montgomery took a big hit after making a 19-yard catch in the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium and seemed to land awkwardly on the ball as he hit the turn. He remained down for quite some time before he was walked off the field.

Montgomery was initially listed as questionable to return but was later ruled out due to a rib injury. Specifics on his condition are not yet known.

Montgomery had 14 rushing yards on six carries before he was ruled out. The play on which he was injured was his only catch of the day. Montgomery entered Sunday with 371 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 88 carries. The 26-year-old is in the first year of a three-year, $18 million deal with the Lions.

The Lions entered Sunday on a three-game win streak and fresh off an 18-point blowout win over the Carolina Panthers. Montgomery racked up 109 rushing yards and a touchdown in that victory at Ford Field.

MINNESOTA

With the trade deadline approaching, Dianna Russini of The Athletic tries to figure out what the Vikings are thinking:

The upcoming weeks are worth watching as teams meet with their owners to decide if they want to get in a position to try to get the top quarterback prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft, Caleb Williams and Drake Maye.

Let’s start with the most prominent name that has been the subject of trade speculation: Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins.

Starting quarterbacks are rarely dealt at the NFL trade deadline. The Packers went all-in on Pro Bowl QB John Hadl during the 1974 season, one of the most disastrous trades in history. Hall of Famer Bobby Layne went from the Lions to the Steelers during the 1958 season. Jimmy Garoppolo going from the Patriots to the 49ers in 2017 is one of the more recent examples; although he was not a starting QB at the time he was traded, he was acquired to start.

Aside from the challenge of integrating a new starting quarterback in the middle of a season, there are other reasons Cousins is likely to stay put. First, he has a no-trade clause and becomes a free agent in March. Cousins has a family with two young boys in school in Minnesota, and uprooting them or living apart just to go join another team starting in November might not make the most sense.

I also was told by team sources that Minnesota is not planning on trading him. They are always going to take a call, but I’ve had numerous conversations with league sources about the Vikings’ resistance to trading their starter and also the possibility that the team keeps Cousins past this season.

The Vikings are top 10 in the NFL in yards per attempt (6.9, eighth), yards per carry (4.4, 10th) and yards per play (5.9, fourth), and they still have confidence they can turn this around, especially if they can improve on their league-worst time of possession and 1.6 fumbles lost per game (Cousins has three, tied for second-most by an individual player this season).

The other big problem in trading for Cousins would be finding a team that would give up premium draft assets and pay his salary. Teams like the Jets, Steelers, Browns and Falcons would seem like possible trade partners, but I do not get a sense this is a move any of these organizations are looking to make. The Jets remain confident in Zach Wilson and have made a major investment in Aaron Rodgers — trading for Cousins wouldn’t make much sense. They also run an offense that is vastly different from Kevin O’Connell’s.

Now, all of this could change if a contending team’s quarterback is injured in the next few weeks and that team is willing to call the Vikings and sell Cousins on a chance to be playing in late January.

As for Vikings players who are more viable trade candidates, Minnesota has received calls and will continue to listen on three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter, receiver K.J. Osborn and safety Harrison Smith.

CAROLINA

Coach Frank Reich sees progress with QB BRYCE YOUNG – and Anthony Rizzutti of USA TODAY agrees:

On Sunday, Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young looked like the kid head coach Frank Reich and the rest of the organization fell in love with.

Even despite the 42-21 loss to the Miami Dolphins, and the 0-6 record that came as a result of it, the No. 1 overall pick may have just put his best professional game on tape. Reich was asked about his rookie’s performance following the encouraging outing.

“I think he’s getting better every week,” he replied. “I thought he was seein’ the field really well today . . . particularly in the first half—really the whole game, he saw the field well. Really like the direction that he’s going.

“The offense, overall, has to be better. But there’s some positive things there. Our defense, when you look over six games, our defense has done a lot of good things when you look over six games. Special teams, obviously, has been rock-solid pretty much, most days. So we gotta correct the bad and build off the good.”

Young masterfully orchestrated a hot 14-0 start to the game for Carolina. He led touchdown drives of 64 and 74 yards, capping the latter off with an 8-yard score to wideout Adam Thielen.

The 22-year-old didn’t exactly end the afternoon with his most gaudy-looking stat line, having completed 23 of his 38 throws for 217 yards and the score. But his command of the offense, impressive ball placement and ball security showed why his name was called first back on April 27.

After four close games against mid-range teams (all losses), the Panthers have been steamrolled by two of the handful of best teams in the NFL the last two weeks – Detroit and Miami.

They go on bye this week – then three more winnable games, including the match-up of the top two picks in the draft:’

Sun 10/29        Houston Texans

Sun 11/05        Indianapolis Colts

Thu 11/09        at Chicago Bears

SAN FRANCISCO

The 49ers lost in Cleveland when a late field goal slid wide.  They also finished without three key offensive performers – but the injuries to RB CHRISTIAN McCAFFREY, T TRENT WILLIAMS and WR DEEBO SAMUEL don’t seem long term.  Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com:

One day after three of their most important players left their loss to the Cleveland Browns with various ailments, the San Francisco 49ers seemingly got some good news on the injury front.

On Monday afternoon, Niners coach Kyle Shanahan offered updates on injured receiver Deebo Samuel (shoulder), running back Christian McCaffrey (oblique/rib) and left tackle Trent Williams (right ankle). While the 49ers are awaiting additional imaging on McCaffrey, Shanahan sounded optimistic on all three situations.

Shanahan said Samuel and Williams would be “day-to-day” this week as the 49ers prepare for Monday night’s trip to Minnesota to play the Vikings. That comes after Samuel departed in the first quarter Sunday with a shoulder injury and did not return while Williams gritted through the game after spraining his ankle with 3:14 left in the opening quarter.

Shanahan said Williams’ injury is not a high ankle sprain. McCaffrey’s situation seems a bit more tenuous, as the Niners await further information before offering a diagnosis and a timeline to return. Asked whether McCaffrey could be in position to play through the injury with the use of a flak jacket, Shanahan said he wasn’t sure.

“It’s obviously a tougher position just because you get hit a lot more,” Shanahan said. “But we’ve just got to see how it reacts. We’ve got to see exactly what’s wrong with it too because we haven’t got that back yet. We say oblique/rib, hopefully it’s not both, but we’ve got to wait to see for sure.”

On Sunday, it was unclear when exactly Samuel and McCaffrey got injured, but Shanahan offered some clarity on that as well. Samuel’s shoulder injury came on the first play from scrimmage, an 8-yard run by him on a jet sweep.

“He just took a shot on the shoulder,” Shanahan said. “It didn’t look overly big or anything. It just connected right. And so it got him after that. And if you watch him like the next eight plays, you could just tell the feeling was starting to go because he couldn’t use his left arm. [He] tried to come back but just couldn’t get feeling back in it. So we had to shut him down.”

McCaffrey left the game in the third quarter but returned for one play — a 6-yard run with just under three minutes left in the quarter — before heading to the sideline and then the locker room. The Niners ruled out his return with 10:58 to play. The in and out made it harder to nail down when McCaffrey’s injury occurred.

“He mentioned about four possible plays he thought he could have done it on,” Shanahan said. “But we’re not sure which one he did.”

With McCaffrey out Sunday, the Niners turned to the combination of Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason in his place. Mitchell, in his first game back from a knee injury, had two carries for negative-3 yards. Mason had five attempts for 27 yards and a touchdown.

Shanahan indicated that Mason and Mitchell would both get opportunities if McCaffrey can’t play against the Vikings. He also offered some optimism that McCaffrey could be available.

“Both of those guys have done very well,” Shanahan said. “Elijah came back and practiced late last week on Thursday, so then he got really one true day of practice in and that’s why JP got the first nod once Christian came out. But we’ve got two really good players there. And I know [running back Tyrion Davis-Price] is waiting for his opportunity also. Hopefully, Christian will be good to go this week, but if not we’ve got a group of backs we can rely on.”

There was little doubt about when Williams sprained his ankle after a Browns defender rolled into the back of his leg. Williams missed two offensive snaps and returned to finish the game. After the loss, Williams said he wanted to play through the injury so the team and backup tackle Jaylon Moore wouldn’t be put in a tough spot against Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett.

“Trent’s a very intelligent guy who is also very competitive and understands what those decisions are,” Shanahan said. “And he said he could come back. I wasn’t expecting him because of how bad the injury looked. The trainers thought that it wasn’t as serious as it looked. Trent was adamant to get back out there and then we keep our eyes on him all game. … That was a pretty courageous effort by him coming out and those circumstances, especially the player he was going against.”

The 49ers are also expected to get linebacker Dre Greenlaw back in practice this week after he missed Sunday with a hamstring injury, Shanahan said.

LOS ANGELES RAMS

“Challenging…in the immediate future” – we like this turn of phrase describing an injured player’s status from Coach Sean McVay.  Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com:

Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay didn’t give a specific timeline for injuries to running backs Kyren Williams and Ronnie Rivers, but said “the initial prognosis looks like it’s going to be challenging for those guys in the immediate future.”

An MRI on Monday revealed Williams has a sprained ankle that is expected to sideline him for Sunday’s game against the Steelers but is not considered a long-term injury, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter earlier in the day.

“Those guys are going to be out for a little bit,” McVay said. “Exactly how long we’re kind of working through, but that’s tough information for both those guys who’ve done a really good job.”

Williams sustained the injury in Sunday’s 26-9 victory over the Cardinals, a game in which he rushed for a career-high 158 yards and a touchdown.

He got 154 of those yards in the second half, becoming the first Rams player since Marshall Faulk in 2001 to have at least 150 rushing yards in a half, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

Williams’ backup, Rivers, injured a knee early in the second half Sunday. If he can’t play against the Steelers, rookie sixth-round pick Zach Evans will likely get the start at running back. McVay said the Rams are still “working through” the plan without Williams and Rivers, however.

“Obviously you saw Zach Evans get the first carries,” McVay said. “We’ve got Royce Freeman on our practice squad, and there’ll be some different things that we’re in the midst of working through right now.

“And so we’ll probably have a little bit better idea once you get the full gauntlet of what it exactly is looking like projection-wise on both Ronnie and Kyren, how that will affect any sort of decisions as it relates to the roster and then what it looks like for the landscape of the league.”

Through six games this season, Williams has 456 rushing yards on 97 carries and 105 receiving yards on 13 catches.

The second-year player came into the season as the Rams’ No. 2 back but, after the opener, earned the No. 1 spot. Cam Akers, who began the season as the starter, was inactive in Week 2 and then traded to the Vikings, leaving Williams as the clear lead back.

Williams has seven total touchdowns this season (six rushing, one receiving).

DENVER

Dianna Russini of The Athletic on what Sean Payton is plotting:

The Denver Broncos need draft capital, and their phones are ringing.

“We aren’t calling, but we will pick up the phone,” says head coach Sean Payton. Translation: We are going to listen to everybody. This is a team that has some valuable assets on the roster and a lack of premier draft capital, but I don’t believe this will be a complete fire sale.

Payton has been transparent that he wants to build the culture, roster and personnel his way. So how do they replenish?

In April, the Broncos talked with teams about trading receiver Jerry Jeudy for a first-rounder, but no deal panned out. The Broncos were looking for a second-rounder for wideout Courtland Sutton, but they didn’t get there either. Those are two players the Broncos will discuss moving.

Pat Surtain II is the best player on the roster, and his rookie contract still has term on it, so he would come at a cost. I don’t get the sense Denver wants to move him.

Meanwhile, it’s unclear whether Payton will stick with Russell Wilson at quarterback past this season. If the Broncos decide to move on from him, Wilson has another $37 million that becomes fully guaranteed on the fifth day of the 2024 league year in March. I would be surprised if Wilson is part of the Broncos’ future.

LAS VEGAS

QB JIMMY GAROPPOLO does not seem to be badly injured.  Kevin Patra of NFL.com:

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo appears to have avoided a major back injury.

Head coach Josh McDaniels said Monday that Garoppolo “dodged a big bullet” regarding internal injuries.

“There was some concern yesterday that it was an internal issue,” McDaniels told reporters. “So we did a bunch of scans yesterday, last night. Seems like we dodged a big bullet in that regard. That’s good news. We’re still doing a couple things this morning and we’ll kind of make sure we do all the right things here as we go forward. The prognosis is a lot better than it might have otherwise been. Don’t yet for this week, relatively speaking. So there’s a lot still to, I’d say, uncover in that regard, but good news relative to what it might have been.”

Jimmy G is still undergoing tests, and his status for Week 7’s game in Chicago is up in the air, but it appears the injury won’t keep the QB out long-term.

Garoppolo suffered a back injury during the second quarter of Sunday’s victory over New England. He exited to the locker room before halftime and was initially designated as doubtful. However, his status was quickly changed to out, and he was then transported to a local hospital out of precaution.

Veteran QB Brian Hoyer entered the contest and helped secure the Raiders’ third victory of the season. When Garoppolo missed Week 4 due to a concussion, rookie Aidan O’Connell got the start in a 24-17 loss to Los Angeles.

Garoppolo hasn’t played a full slate of games since 2019 with the San Francisco 49ers.

PITTSBURGH

Dianna Russini of The Athletic says OC Matt Canada will retain his position at least until the end of the season, no matter how the Steelers offense might flounder.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have no plans to fire offensive coordinator Matt Canada or turn the play calling over to another coach on the staff, a person familiar with the situation shared this week. I was told if a move was going to be made, it would have happened already. Though fans have criticized Canada and his play calling, Steelers players and coach Mike Tomlin have continued to show him support. I was told the team held a meeting this week to come together and search for some answers as they approach the bye week.

The organization doesn’t traditionally fire assistant coaches in-season but rather leans into improving performance by adding more physical practice. Development at quarterback and along the offensive line will be critical. The Steelers have solid skill players but need help running the ball and giving Kenny Pickett time to throw to George Pickens, Diontae Johnson or Pat Freiermuth.

INDIANAPOLIS

Bad news for the Colts – it looks like QB ANTHONY RICHARDSON’s rookie season will end with a grade of incomplete.  Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com:

Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson’s season is likely over.

Richardson injured his shoulder in Week Five and has spent the last week getting evaluations and opinions from doctors about next steps. On Monday, Colts owner Jim Irsay told Stephen Holder ofESPN.com that Richardson is likely having surgery in the coming days and that he is unlikely to be back on the field during the 2023 campaign.

“The most likelihood is he’s probably going to be gone for the year,” Irsay said. “I mean, it’s not definite but [he] probably misses this year and we’re going to have to contend with that factor. . . . “There’s debate going, but it’s probably going to lead toward surgery in the next week or so. We’re just trying to figure out exactly how and when and what we want to do and what Anthony wants to do.”

Gardner Minshew started in place of Richardson in Sunday’s loss to the Jaguars and is now set to be in that role for the rest of the year in Indianapolis.

TENNESSEE

Another struggling QB now has injury concerns as QB RYAN TANNEHILL joins the ranks of Jimmy Garoppolo, Justin Fields and Daniel Jones.  Myles Simmons of ProFootballTalk.com:

The Titans may be without their starting quarterback for a bit.

Ryan Tannehill suffered a high ankle sprain during Sunday’s loss to the Ravens in London, according to a report from ESPN.

It’s the same ankle Tannehill injured last season. He initially missed two games with it before going on injured reserve after aggravating the injury later in the season.

The Titans have a bye in Week 7 after playing across the pond, giving Tannehill some time to heal. Head coach Mike Vrabel said on Monday that if Tannehill is healthy, he’ll be the starter when the team plays the Falcons in Week 8. But Tannehill’s availability is certainly in question.

“We’ll see how it goes,” Vrabel said, via Jim Wyatt of the team’s website. “We have some time here before our next game, and Ryan will get treatment around the clock. This will be a big week to see how he progresses and then we’ll make a decision on his availability next week and what we do then.”

If Tannehill isn’t available, Malik Willis or rookie Will Levis will start. A third-round pick in 2022, Willis was the backup on Sunday and played 18 snaps in the loss. He completed 4-of-5 passes for 74 yards and rushed for 17 yards on three attempts. But he also took four sacks plus another wiped out by a penalty.

“It will be one of those two guys if Ryan can’t go,” Vrabel said. “I don’t know who that would be yet. We’ll see how they continue to practice.

“It will be good to get them work this week with some guys they haven’t necessarily worked with — they’ve been working on the show team during the season, so I am excited to get both those guys some reps with some of our offensive guys and see how they handle that.”

The Titans will notably have a quick turnaround after their Week 8 matchup with the Falcons, as they’ll travel to play the Steelers on Thursday night in Week 9.

NEW ENGLAND

Who do you side with here?  John Breech of CBSSports.com:

After Las Vegas beat New England on Sunday, Adam Butler was hoping to have a brief postgame chat with Patriots coach Bill Belichick. The Raiders defensive tackle spent the first four seasons of his career in New England, so he wanted to make sure to at least shake hands with his former coach after the game, but that didn’t happen.

Following the Patriots’ 21-17 loss, Belichick didn’t stick around very long to shake hands with anyone. Butler was asked about the situation after the game and he definitely didn’t sound happy with Belichick’s actions.

“It did make me very upset that Bill didn’t even have the respect for me to say anything after the game,” Butler said, via CBS 8 in Las Vegas. “Not even congratulate me, tell me ‘You look good,’ or  ‘You don’t look good,’ whatever, ‘Kiss my a–,’ something. He didn’t say anything. Kind of felt disrespected, made me feel kind of bad.”

The loss to the Raiders dropped the Patriots to 1-5 on the season, so Butler understands why Belichick didn’t stick around for long, but he still would have liked to at least get a wave.

“I know Coach Belichick has bigger things to worry about, obviously,” Butler said. “They’re going through a tough time, but I mean geez, wave, something, but nothing.”

In Belichick’s defense, he might have been on the field for hours following the game if he had stuck around to chat with every former Patriots player on the Vegas roster. The Raiders are basically Patriots-west, starting at the top. The team’s general manager, Dave Ziegler, came from New England. And let’s not forget about Josh McDaniels, who was Belichick’s long-time offensive coordinator (Those two actually chatted some before the game).

THIS AND THAT

CREATING TRADES

More media members trying to create workable trades.  Mike Jones and Jeff Howe of The Athletic:

Last year’s trade deadline was action-packed, with 12 players moved on deadline day alone. That was the most in 30 years, but it remains to be seen if this year’s deadline will be as active.

Rumors have started and will continue to fly. Some have substance, others are just that: rumors.

Ahead of the deadline, we’re taking a look at six trades we would like to see happen. We discuss why our proposed deals make sense, and why they may not happen.

Mike Jones’ three trade proposals

Jets trade WR Mecole Hardman to Chiefs for 2024 fifth-round pick

Why it makes sense

Jones: Scoring is down for the Chiefs this season, and unlike previous years, they have no pass-catchers among the league leaders. Hardman is part of a crowded receiving unit in New York and had productive years in Kansas City before a groin injury and surgery cut his 2022 season short. A reunion could potentially benefit both parties.

Why it won’t happen

Howe: Because the Chiefs are going to reunite with JuJu Smith-Schuster instead. No, I don’t know that, but this is the perfect type of situation in which a team brings back a familiar face to help with depth and give the quarterback a little more reliability. But since Hardman doesn’t have a role with the Jets and he’d be more valuable to the Chiefs than anyone else, I can’t say it wouldn’t make sense, unless Kansas City projects Patrick Mahomes will simply make it work with whoever is in uniform.

Broncos trade CB Pat Surtain II to Lions for 2024 second- and 2025 third-round picks

Why it makes sense

Jones: The Lions are positioning themselves to win the NFC North, but Emmanuel Moseley’s torn right ACL suffered last week (in his first game back from a torn left ACL) is a big blow. They’d love to have another difference-maker in their secondary as they try to gear up for a deep playoff run. People around the league say the Broncos are in sell mode (even if Sean Payton says they’re not). So, future picks to help improve a Broncos roster that’s not nearly as close to win-now mode as Denver’s brass believed may prove enticing.

Why it won’t happen

Howe: I don’t even want to say it won’t happen. This would be an awesome trade for the Lions. But I don’t think it would happen under these parameters. The Broncos feel Surtain is the best cornerback in the league, so they can’t let him go for less than a first-round pick and probably another mid-rounder. That should be fine with the Lions since they’ve had additional first-rounders the past two drafts from the Matthew Stafford trade.

Vikings trade QB Kirk Cousins to Jets for 2024 third-round and 2025 second-round picks

Why it makes sense

Jones: It’s an insane long shot, because Cousins has a no-trade clause and because people familiar with the situation say the Vikings aren’t throwing in the towel on the season. But Minnesota would be smart to pull the trigger on a deal like this. Cousins is on an expiring contract, and little has gone right this year. Now that wide receiver Justin Jefferson is on injured reserve, the wins — already hard to come by — may be even tougher to accumulate. The 2-4 Vikings might as well get something for Cousins rather than lose him on the market next offseason.

As for the Jets: They would get an upgrade over Zach Wilson, and a quarterback familiar with Nathaniel Hackett’s system. Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell is an extension of the Mike Shanahan coaching tree, as is Hackett, who coached under Matt LaFleur in Green Bay. LaFleur was Cousins’ quarterbacks coach in Washington. The Jets could force their way back into a playoff race with a high-level veteran quarterback to run the show for their talented roster.

Why it won’t happen

Howe: Wilson has finally turned the corner, and now you want him on the bench again?!? There are two bigger factors here, though. First, it’s unrealistic to think a starting quarterback could change systems in the middle of the season and operate the offense at a high-enough level over the final couple of months. Second, I’m not sure I see the incentive for Cousins to waive the no-trade clause. If he struggles — and theoretically, he should to a degree — teams will use that against him when they’re negotiating in free agency. Cousins is almost certainly going to be the most-coveted QB on the free-agent market, so the financial sense would be to continue posting numbers with the Vikings.

Jeff Howe’s trade proposals

Bears trade QB Justin Fields to Falcons for 2024 second-round pick, 2025 conditional third-round pick and QB Taylor Heinicke

Why it makes sense

Howe: Remember, these are trades we want to see — not necessarily those we expect to happen. The Bears are tracking toward the No. 1 pick in the draft, either with their own selection or from the Panthers, so they’re in play for USC’s Caleb Williams or North Carolina’s Drake Maye. With major changes likely on the horizon again, it might be best to maximize Fields’ value. Meanwhile, the Falcons were linked to Fields (who’s from Kennesaw, Ga.) before the 2021 draft, and he seems like a pretty solid fit for Arthur Smith’s offense.

Fields’ thumb injury complicates this idea, but this would be more of a move with the future in mind. Desmond Ridder has been struggling, and Falcons coach Arthur Smith’s facial expressions Sunday after each interception said a lot about that situation. Again, with a midseason trade, it might be a lot to ask Fields to step in for Ridder relatively soon, but he could get a jump on the offense and position himself to relieve Ridder if necessary, assuming the thumb heals. The extra time in the system could better prepare Fields for 2024.

Why it won’t happen

Jones: Bears GM Ryan Poles and coach Matt Eberflus didn’t draft Fields, so they might not be as invested in him as someone who had. But Chicago has done a lot to surround Fields with pieces, and after a rocky start to the season, things might be looking up. Before injuring his thumb on Sunday, Fields was coming off his two best games, having thrown four touchdown passes in back-to-back weeks while also getting his first win of the season. If he can make it back on the field promptly, the playoffs aren’t out of reach, so I don’t see the Bears parting with a talent like Fields in-season. If this season is a disaster, they can always revisit this in the offseason.

Patriots trade OLB Josh Uche to Jaguars for 2024 conditional second-round pick

(The Jaguars won’t have a second-round pick if Calvin Ridley signs an extension. If Ridley signs, the Jaguars should trade a 2024 third-rounder and a 2025 fourth-rounder.)

Why it makes sense

Howe: The Jaguars need pass rushers to help Josh Allen and Travon Walker. They don’t want to watch another playoff opportunity slip away because they couldn’t get after the quarterback. As for the Patriots, their last second-round pick to sign a second contract with the team was Rob Gronkowski. Their season is slipping away, and they might as well get something for Uche if the string of failed draft pick extensions is going to continue.

Why it won’t happen

Jones: This would make a lot of sense, but I don’t know that Patriots coach Bill Belichick will be able to bring himself to part with a young, impactful defensive player like Uche. The chance to get some kind of compensation for him rather than lose him on the market is intriguing. But it seems unlikely Belichick is going to want to wave the white flag and signal he has yet another lost season on his hands.

Broncos trade WR Jerry Jeudy to Panthers for 2024 third- and sixth-round picks

Why it makes sense

Howe: The Panthers need to get Bryce Young more help, especially at receiver. While the Broncos have rebuffed trade offers short of first-round picks in the past for Jeudy, time isn’t exactly on their side here, and Jeudy doesn’t have the trade value they’ve been seeking. He’s on the books for about $13 million for his fifth-year option in 2024, and the Broncos need to recalibrate the books while determining their future at quarterback. It just hasn’t worked out for Jeudy in Denver, whether it’s due to injuries, QB play or coaching, so he’d probably welcome a fresh start. The Panthers would hope to reinvigorate a 24-year-old who was once billed as a no-doubt NFL star.

Why it won’t happen

Jones: I can’t argue with this. Jeudy certainly could help Young, who lacks reliable playmakers who boast the explosiveness to win one-on-one matchups. The Panthers have just one player in the top 50 in receiving: Adam Thielen, who ranks ninth with 509 yards on 49 receptions. Payton says the Broncos won’t be sellers on the trade market, but can you really believe that? On one hand, I get it if they don’t want to leave quarterback Russell Wilson with nobody to throw to. But this team is going nowhere and might as well prepare to clean house and find some new building blocks.