2 weeks Ago By Easton Freeze, A to Z Sports
Despite getting a win in Week 9, the Tennessee Titans are still squarely in the "sellers" category ahead of the trade deadline. And one pass rusher in particular is a name of interest. Dianna Russini reported this weekend that the Cardinals have been looking for help at EDGE and have made calls around the league.
The NFL trade deadline is looming and even now, many franchises are still deciding whether to be buyers or sellers. ◽️The latest on Lamar Jackson, Jordan Love and Puka Nukua ◽️Deadline secrets, not-so-secrets and surprises Here's what our insider @DMRussini is hearing ⤵️ "The Cardinals are sitting atop the NFC West in November." Russini wrote.
"The team is actively calling around to add some pieces. Arizona's biggest need is edge rusher, where they've been ravaged with injuries. The Giants (Ojulari) and Titans (Arden Key) have taken calls from the Cardinals.
" The Cardinals GM is Monti Ossenfort, who was hired away from the Titans by Arizona in 2023. Ossenfort was the Titans' Director of Player Personnel from 2020-2022 under the Jon Robinson regime. Ossenfort and Titans GM Ran Carthon have dealt before, and Ossenfort has taken interest in former Titans players he's familiar with during free agency.
His time in Tennessee didn't overlap with when Arden Key arrived, though he has relationships with many in the Titans front office who were involved with that decision. Sunday was bad news for Ossenfort, though, because Arden Key put up his best numbers of the season in what was his 6th straight week of making his presence known. Since Week 3, Key has 14 total pressures.
He has 4 sacks in the past 3 games, as well as 2 forced fumbles. He's been flying all around in the offensive backfield, presenting a real problem for quarterbacks. Key is on year 2 of a 3 year contract, and there's a very palatable "out" after the 2024 season.
The Titans could choose to keep him in 2025 for the price of a $6.5 million dollar base salary and a $9.3 million dollar cap hit, or they could take the "out" after this season for a $6.
9 million dollar cap hit in 2025. This means that Key could be be traded to a contending team before Tuesday's 3:00PM CST trade deadline, and that team would have the same options. Key's trade value has certainly increased in recent weeks, but there are no shortage of potential suitors.
Every year at the deadline, contending teams are always looking for the same two things: WRs and EDGEs. These are the easiest "plug & play" positions of high leverage that can serve as the cherry on top of a contending squad. In addition to the Cardinals, the Falcons have also been sniffing around.
The Atlanta Falcons have struggled rushing the passer, despite the moves they made in the offseason (trading for Matthew Judon and signing safety Justin Simmons). GM Terry Fontenot knows they need help. So it’s no surprise they are exploring options, and I expect them to make a.
.. And don't count out the Lions either, who have been in the EDGE trade market ever since standout rusher Aidan Hutchinson went down for the season in Week 6.
Lions coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes have been hunting for an edge rusher since losing Aidan Hutchinson to a season-ending injury. (Hutchinson hasn’t played since Oct. 13 but is still third in the NFL in sacks.
) The team has checked in with numerous teams...
With the deadline looming, it will be telling to see just how motivated the Titans are to move Key and other valuable, tradable assets on this team to prepare for the future. This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission..
