The NFL Trade Deadline is coming up on Tuesday, and although there are a few rumors kicking around, there doesn’t appear to be any major activity brewing for last second trades with the possible exception of Brandon Lloyd.
Cincinnati Bengals two-time Pro Bowl quarterback Carson Palmer said before the season that he wanted to be traded and would retire rather than play for the Bengals. Bengals owner Mike Brown accepted his retirement and seems content to let Palmer sit.
Palmer has apparently been in touch with Brown this week, but the calls have been referred to as “fruitless” and ESPN’s John Clayton is reporting that the Bengals have reiterated that they will not trade Palmer. Mike Brown’s position still doesn’t make sense, as the team is playing well behind rookie QB Andy Dalton and a trade would at least bring some value back to the franchise.
Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton has also been the subject of much trade speculation, and fans in Miami have been chanting his name just over the rumors. With Tim Tebow now getting the start, Orton could be moved, but the jury is still out on Tebow and his first start doesn’t come until next weekend, since Denver is on a bye week this week. The Broncos aren’t likely to move Orton this week, and he is a free agent after this season.
One player who may move before the deadline is wide receiver Brandon Lloyd, who the Broncos have put on the trading block. They are reportedly seeking a third to fifth round draft pick in exchange, and have heard from 3-4 interested teams with Tennessee and Carolina rumored to be among them. At age 30, Lloyd had a breakout year last season with 77 receptions for 1,448 yards and 11 TDs, all career bests.
Given the importance of passing in today’s league, the teams who are in need, as well as some of the key injuries (Titans Kenny Britt’s ACL, 49ers Josh Morgan’s broken ankle), there is likely to be someone willing to part with a mid-round draft pick for a proven receiver. Just as Derrick Mason moved quickly from the Jets to the Texans this past week, Lloyd is likely to move before the deadline.
In the meantime, the clock continues to tick down to Tuesday’s deadline.
