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The National Football League’s campaign is rapidly coming into view. Organizations are finalizing their personnel decisions before the roster size limit of 53 players goes into effect next Tuesday at 4 p.m. Eastern Time. This past Wednesday, the Cleveland Browns sent defensive lineman Jowon Briggs to the New York Jets along with a conditional draft selection.
Might Briggs’ fresh comrade Breece Hall potentially be involved in a transaction soon? Well, this prospect is refuted by the head coach, Aaron Glenn.
“We possess, in effect, three capable running backs, a sentiment I consistently express, and each brings a distinctive skill set that I aim to leverage,” Glenn asserted on Tuesday. “And that emphatically does not imply any intention of trading Breece, OK? Absolutely not. So I am stating that definitively at this juncture. My preference is to have three proficient individuals. Ideally, I would like more, but the current situation stands.”
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Glenn articulated this with a smile and in a reasonably optimistic tone. Nonetheless, the comment was prompted by a query concerning Jets running back Braelon Allen, anticipated to assume a more significant role within the offensive strategy for the approaching season, with the Jets emphasizing ground-based plays. Consequently, the potential of trading Hall has been entertained.
Hall showcased his capabilities during his inaugural season in 2022 before suffering an ACL injury, subsequently returning in 2023 to accumulate 994 rushing yards at an average of 4.5 yards per attempt, complemented by five touchdowns, in addition to 76 receptions for 591 yards and four additional scores. His statistical output experienced a marginal decrease in the subsequent season, and with his pending second contract, he appears poised to divide backfield responsibilities not solely with Allen but also with second-year back Isaiah Davis.
This has rendered him a plausible subject of transfer speculation; Yahoo Sports fantasy specialist Matt Harmon has proposed the Dallas Cowboys as an appropriate destination for Hall. Is a deal likely? It appears the Jets are not proactively marketing Hall, but should a compelling offer materialize, declining it may prove challenging, notably considering the presence of a quarterback in Justin Fields, capable of making substantial contributions in the running game as well. Therefore, our assessment: conceivably.
What are the probabilities pertaining to additional athletes whose names have been mentioned in connection with potential trades?
Brian Robinson Jr., Washington Commanders — Probable
This represents a straightforward assessment. Robinson Jr. was absent from both Monday evening’s contest against the Cincinnati Bengals and Wednesday’s practice session, having received permission from head coach Dan Quinn, as the Commanders explore a potential trade involving him. Washington possesses Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols, both prepared to assume a starter’s workload, and the team holds high regard for rookie Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt.
Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders — Improbable
Reports suggest that teams are not eagerly initiating discussions to acquire McLaurin and commit to the substantial contract extension he is seeking. Yahoo Sports Senior NFL Reporter Charles Robinson posits that an agreement in the vicinity of $27-$28 million in average annual compensation, coupled with $50-$60 million in guaranteed funds, would finalize the matter, and this remains the most anticipated outcome.
Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals — Conceivable
The Bengals are, at the very least, considering proposals, according to reports over the weekend. Considering the evident deficiencies in their starting defensive lineup throughout the initial two preseason games, it would appear they require the NFL’s reigning sack leader, who is in pursuit of a contract extension and seeking a different structure of guarantees than Cincinnati is presenting. That stated, assessing the potential premium assets the Bengals could gain through a trade possesses validity, given the defense’s status as being more than just one exceptional player away from competence, and the Bengals’ gameplay patterns appear geared toward volatility rather than the steady fourth-quarter advantages that would accentuate Hendrickson’s pass-rushing strengths. While a long-term agreement still seems the more probable resolution, a trade remains within the realm of possibility.
Kyle Dugger, New England Patriots — Probable
Dugger is reportedly available for trade consideration, as reported by the Boston Herald, an assertion that aligns with the fact that the previous management team under Jerod Mayo was responsible for extending his contract for four years at $58 million, not the current leadership under Mike Vrabel. The salary cap implications, alongside uncertainties regarding his fit within the scheme of new coordinator Terrell Williams, propel this into the probable category.
Kenny Pickett/Shedeur Sanders/Dillon Gabriel — Conceivable
Are the Browns genuinely contemplating carrying Kenny Pickett on their regular-season roster despite his absence from preseason plays? This constitutes a valid question. Simultaneously, Sanders and Gabriel appear set for one final audition in Saturday’s preseason finale against the Los Angeles Rams. While the Browns have reiterated their willingness to accommodate four quarterbacks during the regular season, it has been decades since any team has done so. Consequently, this renders at least one of them a distinct trade candidate, contingent upon the hierarchy of the depth chart and the Browns’ preferred approach.
NFL leading narratives
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Shedeur Sanders scheduled to participate in Browns’ preseason finale: Subsequent to an oblique injury preventing his participation in the Cleveland Browns’ second preseason game, Shedeur Sanders is poised to take the field this weekend. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski communicated to reporters on Thursday that, assuming there are no further injury setbacks, Sanders will serve as the team’s third-string quarterback on Saturday, as Cleveland confronts the Los Angeles Rams in their preseason closer. Flacco, designated as Cleveland’s starting quarterback earlier in the week, will initiate Saturday’s game. Rookie Dillon Gabriel will assume the role of QB2, succeeded by Sanders.
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Cowboys head coach anticipates Micah Parsons’ participation in season opener: Will Micah Parsons be present in Week 1? “My assessment of the situation is favorable, indeed,” Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer remarked on Wednesday. “My confidence remains strong that Micah will be present against the Philadelphia Eagles.” While these assurances hold value, the Cowboys and Parsons do not appear to be in close proximity regarding the contract extension he is pursuing, with neither party actively engaged in negotiations currently, according to ESPN.
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49ers execute a transaction to acquire WR Skyy Moore following Demarcus Robinson’s suspension: The NFL issued a suspension to San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Demarcus Robinson for the initial three games of the season on Wednesday, a consequence of his DUI arrest the prior November, as confirmed by head coach Kyle Shanahan. Robinson is expected to contest the suspension. With Robinson sidelined and notable injuries impacting the position, the 49ers undertook a move to fortify their WR personnel and traded for Chiefs wide receiver Skyy Moore in an arrangement that encompasses a swap of late-round selections.
NFL franchise news
AFC East: Buffalo Bills | Miami Dolphins | New England Patriots | New York Jets
AFC North: Baltimore Ravens | Cincinnati Bengals | Cleveland Browns | Pittsburgh Steelers
AFC South: Houston Texans | Indianapolis Colts | Jacksonville Jaguars | Tennessee Titans
AFC West: Denver Broncos | Kansas City Chiefs Las Vegas Raiders | Los Angeles Chargers
NFC East: Dallas Cowboys | New York Giants | Philadelphia Eagles | Washington Commanders
NFC North: Chicago Bears | Detroit Lions | Green Bay Packers | Minnesota Vikings
NFC South: Atlanta Falcons | Carolina Panthers | New Orleans Saints | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NFC West: Arizona Cardinals | Los Angeles Rams | San Francisco 49ers | Seattle Seahawks
NFL exhibition season live updates
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