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THREE REUNIONS THAT SEEM MORE REALISTIC FOR THE NEW YORK METS THAN JACOB DEGROM... Why not Jacob deGrom? Baseball isn’...
07/08/2025

THREE REUNIONS THAT SEEM MORE REALISTIC FOR THE NEW YORK METS THAN JACOB DEGROM...

Why not Jacob deGrom? Baseball isn’t that romantic. In the midst of another Cy Young worthy season, deGrom’s name is one of those speculative ones to get moved in the next few weeks from the Texas Rangers to a contender. Naturally, New York Mets fans have dreamed of a scenario where he comes back to Queens for unfinished business.
It’s just not realistic. From every aspect imaginable, it doesn’t make sense. It makes the most sense for the Rangers to dump his salary. It probably makes the least for deGrom to return to New York which he would have to willingly approve a trade to make happen. Let’s also consider the financial ramifications for the Mets as well as his placement on the roster. Couples going through nasty divorces are more aligned than the planets for this to happen. Meanwhile, several other former Mets could make a bit more sense.
SETH LUGO - RHP (KANSAS CITY ROYALS)
Last year’s runner-up in the American League Cy Young race, Seth Lugo has continued to be an excellent starting pitcher for the Kansas City Royals in 2025. He is now 6-5 with a 2.65 ERA in 16 starts. A little too prone to the home run ball this year with 13 surrendered already versus 16 in all of last year, Lugo has managed to be even better at preventing runs. He finished last year with an even 3.00 ERA for the playoff-bound Royals. Unfortunately for them, a trip back to the playoffs seems unlikely. There was a time early on in the 2025 season when the AL Central looked like it could send multiple teams to the postseason. The Royals, Minnesota Twins, and Cleveland Guardians are all fading fast with the Detroit Tigers running away with the division. Lugo has a $15 million player option for next season which, given his success as a starter over the last three seasons, feels like a contract he should opt out of. Lugo turns 36 in November and would be wise to capitalize on his success as a starter after years of being one of the best relievers on the Mets roster. In the past, Lugo expressed dissatisfaction about his usage as a reliever during his New York tenure. It’s a big reason why he wasn’t expected to sign with the Mets after a brief stint with the San Diego Padres. A trade is different. And with him becoming a proven starter, the Mets would have no reason but to keep him in the rotation to continue his dominance. The question of how badly the Mets even need another starting pitcher versus a bad and some bullpen arms is something to consider as well. There are only so many resources we should expect them to sell this summer. Lugo will be a costly one.
LUIS SEVERINO - RHP (SACRAMENTO ATHLETICS)
A blast from the much more recent past, the name Luis Severino is already becoming a relevant one on the trade market. Despite a horrific 5.30 ERA, 10 losses, 115 hits allowed, and 65 earned runs (the latter three leading the league as of this past Sunday), Severino is someone viewed as a quality innings eating veteran team could look to add. Signed for $20 million this year, $25 million next year, and a $22 million player option for 2027, he’s a bit of a payroll burden on an Athletics team going nowhere but to Las Vegas in a few seasons. Severino was good at times, not so much in other stretches, for the Mets in 2025. He gave them decent results in three postseason starts. All in all, 11 regular season victories with a 3.91 ERA and 182 innings was the best the team could have hoped for. Parlaying the success into his current three-year deal, the key to understanding Severino is how different he has been on the road versus at home this year. In Sacramento’s minor league ballpark, Severino is 0-8 with a 7.04 ERA. Away, he’s 2-2 with a 3.04 ERA. The Mets were quick to replace Severino this offseason, inking Frankie Montas to what is quickly developing into two guaranteed seasons with his player option being a given. If there’s anyone to buy low on, it’s probably not Severino. Plenty of other trade candidates, Sandy Alcantara leading the way, have reasonable contracts and poor numbers this season. Severino’s talent level does fit the Mets well with what they’ll need. He’d be more of a salary dump than anything. Financially, it just seems to go against the way the Mets operate. If they weren’t willing to sign him in the offseason either for the total or length of the contract, why give up anything now to bring him on board when they have other choices out there?
DENNIS SANTANA - RHP (PITTSBURGH PIRATES)
Maybe the most reasonable of the three to end up back with the Mets is reliever Dennis Santana. It'd be the least exciting reunion considering he pitched in just 9 games for the 2023 Mets. The well-traveled righty hurler is having an unprecedented campaign one year after appearing to put it all together with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Through 38 innings, Santana has a magnificent 1.42 ERA. Is it all a mirage? Considering he had a 2.44 ERA in 44.1 frames for the Pirates last year, one might start to believe someone taught him a valuable lesson to tap into whatever’s working so well. A ground ball pitcher for much of his career, he seems to fit the mold well in that regard for what the Mets like from their pitchers. He doesn’t have fantastic strikeout numbers or anything. Relying on his slider for a good majority of his pitches, Santana has become an intriguing trade candidate because of how dominant it has been. In 72 plate appearances, batters are hitting only .132 against his most-used pitch with a 33.8% whiff rate. At only 29-years-old, it’s quite possible Santana has entered a new phase of his own personal cinematic universe. The Mets seem to care (at least to some length) about their public image and a suspension due to an altercation with a fan only a few weeks ago. Ignoring that, he’ll have enough other suitors. He is controlled for another year and might cause a stir of someone overpaying by paying high. The Mets need at least two bullpen arms added to the mix at the deadline. Santana is having a superb year but there is probably a better match.

THE PROS AND CONS OF FOUR RUMORED THIRD BASEMEN TARGETED BY THE NEW YORK YANKEES... The Yankees have been rumored to b...
07/08/2025

THE PROS AND CONS OF FOUR RUMORED THIRD BASEMEN TARGETED BY THE NEW YORK YANKEES...

The Yankees have been rumored to be in the market for a third baseman at this year’s trade deadline for quite a while now, and it seems that those rumors are starting to bear fruit.
Several names have been floated around the pinstriped community in recent weeks, as reports continue to come out that Brian Cashman is starting to narrow down his search at the hot corner. I believe there are four realistic options the Yankees could pursue before the deadline, and they each come with upside and drawbacks. Here are the pros and cons of the third base options Yankees could pursue at MLB trade deadline.
RYAN MCMAHON (COLORADO ROCKIES)
I feel like a broken record connecting McMahon and the Yankees, as it seems like the two parties have been intertwined at the trade deadline for years now. Maybe, just maybe, this is the year for it to finally happen. The $70 million dollar Rockies infielder has been having a tough season so far, batting just .213 with 12 homers an OPS of .696. He has still played good defense and taken his walks, but his offensive production this year is arguably at an all-time low. The Rockies, who have shown reluctance to deal the 30-year-old in the past, are willing to entertain the Yankees' advances, according to Jon Heyman. Given McMahon's current struggles and the team's historically bad record, the Yankees would likely only have to give up a prospect or two. A cheap acquisition of a historically decent hitter who play solid defense could be a good option for the Yankees, especially if Cashman wants to splash on other areas that need improving, like the struggling bullpen. If McMahon came over in a relatively low-risk deal and was able to play good defense and return to league-average offensive production, I believe he could be a solid fit for the Yankees.
EUGENIO SUAREZ (ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS)
The one target that Yankees fans are clamoring for is Eugenio Suarez, who has been of the best run producers in baseball this year. He is top four in MLB in both home runs and RBI, and he has hit for a solid average as well, currently hitting .250 while reaching base at a .318 clip. Suarez is a free agent after this season, and he told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic that, while happy in Arizona, he is aware of the rumors and understands that baseball is a business and that his future is not guaranteed. Suarez, now 33 years old, could be a good rental for the Yankees. it is known that the Yankees are likely going to be all-in on NPB superstar Munetaka Murakami when he hits the market in the offseason, and Suarez could bridge the slugging gap from now until then (Murakami plays both third and first). However, given that a large part of the Yankees desire to improve at third base is defense, Suarez might not be their guy. Despite the elite bat, Suarez has been rather shaky defensively this year, as he has an OAA of -5, a number that lands him in the 7th percentile of all third baseman according to Baseball Savant. While this may be the dream option offensively, I doubt that the former Mariner will don the pintripes this season. He would demand a sizeable return for the Diamondbacks and does not fit the profile that I believe Brian Cashman is looking for. I sure would love to see him slide into the middle of the Yankee order, though. That would be truly terrifying.
KE'BRYAN HAYES (PITTSBURGH PIRATES)
On the complete other side of the spectrum, Ke'Bryan Hayes is the best defensive third baseman in baseball. He has an OAA of 13, which is the highest mark for any third baseman in MLB, per Baseball Savant. The Texas native got out to an extremely slow start this season, struggling immensely in the first two and a half months. However, after a disastrous month of May that saw him hit just .200, he has gotten hot extremely fast. He had a huge June, hitting over .300. So far in July it has been much of the same, as he has now extended his hitting streak to 12 games. His season numbers still leave a bit to be desired, with his average below .250 and his OPS just under .600. However, at the right price, I think Hayes would be the perfect fit for the Yankees; he is a Gold Glove-caliber third baseman and a solid, serviceable hitter when at his best. I see him as the most likely solution for the Yankees at the hot corner, and I would be all for it. He is known to be available at the deadline, with the Pirates looking to sell after what has been a disastrous season so far.
LUIS RENGIFO (LOS ANGELES ANGELS)
This is an interesting one. Luis Rengifo has been enduring a horribly unlucky season at the plate, with his current batting average sitting at .227 despite his expected batting average being an even 50 points higher. The 28-year-old is probably the most well-rounded out of any of the options that have been linked with the Yankees, as he has been a very good hitter in his career and an average fielder. The biggest problem with this proposed trade is the same as that of the Suarez trade: he is a free agent at the end of this year. Rengifo will have his fair share of suitors due to his rather young age and very solid career numbers, and there's no guarantee he would be in the Bronx beyond this season. Another issue is the potential reluctance of the Angels to sell at the deadline, as they are still in the hunt for a Wild Card spot in the American League. As long as they have a chance, it is unlikely they will sell, especially with Mike Trout's growing health concerns and age. Should Rengifo be available, I could definitely see his switch-hitting bat sliding into the lower third of the Yankees order with ease, especially given his ability to use all parts of the field. Overall, which option is most desirable to you is completely subjective. There is no definitive player available that the Yankees could look at to solve all their problems completely. Cashman is going to have to make a decision about which qualities he values most at this deadline and make his choice from there. I don't envy that part of his job.

RANKING THE TEN WORST NHL CONTRACTS SIGNED SO FAR THIS OFFSEASON... With more than 100 contracts inked, which teams wi...
07/08/2025

RANKING THE TEN WORST NHL CONTRACTS SIGNED SO FAR THIS OFFSEASON...

With more than 100 contracts inked, which teams will deeply regret overpaying their newly-signed player? The NHL offseason was not as “big” as it has been in years past. At this time last season, the likes of Leon Draisaitl, Igor Shesterkin, Sidney Crosby, Brad Marchand, Sam Bennett, Shea Theodore, and many others were expected to become free agents this offseason. Every single one of them re-signed with their teams. Free agency was further diminished as dozens of players decided to stick with the devil they knew and re-signed for sometimes less than market value.
However, with a rising salary cap, some teams signed absolutely insane deals that are going to prove terrible very quickly. Some were short-term chances on a player with upside, but many of them were close to max contracts that will have implications for years to come. Just because the salary cap is rising, it does not mean the team is forced to spend that money. There are deals across the league that still have us scratching our heads. Teams spent big across the board, but sometimes it made sense. Mitch Marner is worth a deal that pays him $12 million per season, especially being outside of the Toronto media sphere. Brad Marchand signed an insane deal that pays him until he’s 43 years old, but that’s a future Florida Panthers problem. Sometimes, it made absolutely no sense. Which teams made the biggest money mistakes this offseason? For the record, we’re only counting contracts that have been signed since the end of the Stanley Cup Final.
10. JONATHAN TOEWS (WINNIPEG JETS)
• One Year, $2 million
On the surface, Jonathan Toews’ contract might be one of the most desirable contracts in the National Hockey League. He’s a former stud center who gave his hometown team, the Winnipeg Jets, a supposed discount. A former superstar center signing for just $2 million to a market like Winnipeg is usually good business. However, there are some poison pill bonuses in this contract. The $2 million is just the guaranteed base salary. The total value of this contract is $7 million if Toews hits all his performance incentives. If Toews were to do that, the Jets would be on the hook for $5 million in salary cap expenditures next season for nothing in return. It’s basically a penalty if the Jets don’t win the ultimate prize. To be fair, $1 million of Toews' bonuses is a Stanley Cup bonus, and if the Jets win the Stanley Cup, they won’t care about any future cap hits. The realistic part of this is the games played bonuses. After 20 games played, Toews gets $550,000. He gets another $550,000 for every 10 games played after that, up until 60 games played. If Toews makes it to 60 games, he will get a total of $2.75 million in bonuses, and the Jets have to pay for that on the cap next year. It’s not the worst gamble for a guy who has been out of the league for two years, but it was more money than anyone expected Toews to command.
9. THATCHER DEMKO (VANCOUVER CANUCKS)
• Three Years, $25.5 million
This contract is going to be much, much different than the others on the list, and that’s part of why it’s on the list at all. The Vancouver Canucks didn’t have to do this contract right now. There was nothing forcing them to sign their goalie to a massive deal coming off a terrible season. The Canucks were a mess, between the J.T. Miller-Elias Pettersson beef that had them both in trade talks (and Miller shipped off to the Rangers), to their president saying at the end of the season that Quinn Hughes might want to play with his brothers, the Canucks are worse than a reality TV family. We’re not surprised they are trying to show some solidarity. They gave Brock Boeser a huge contract, although a little over $7 million is pretty good business for him. They gave Connor Garland a contract that pays him $6 million through 2032. The most bizarre move was trading for Evander Kane, helping their rivals in Edmonton, and adding the Dennis Rodman of hockey to the locker room. Adding all that together in a vacuum can be argued. Signing Demko to an extension a year before they had to for one of the biggest goalie contracts in the league is a head scratcher. Demko could be a top goalie, but he can’t stay healthy. He played 23 games and had an .889 save percentage. That’s not a top goalie in the league. That’s actually a terrible goalie. Giving him $8.5 million after that year seems insane.
8. K'ANDRE MILLER (CAROLINA HURRICANES)
• Eight Years, $60 million
This one will likely be a controversial take, but we hate the K’Andre Miller contract. The trade package is a ton, too, losing decent young defenseman Scott Morrow on top of multiple high-grade draft picks, but the contract is the real commitment here. Miller was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes and immediately signed an eight-year deal worth a total of $60 million. That contract comes out to $7.5 million per season. That’s a lot of money, even in a rising salary cap world. Miller has been a fine defenseman, but has he been a top defenseman? Is there something about his game so far that says he is going to be even better than he is now? He played really well with Adam Fox, but he’s one of the best defensemen in the world. When he was with anyone else, he was pretty bad. The Rangers were a mess last season, but the cream did not rise to the top here. So for Miller to sign such a rich contract after an average year seems like a mistake by the Hurricanes. Carolina’s defensive system will probably get good metrics out of Miller, but they could have gotten similar metrics from a $3 million defenseman. They’ve lost big-name defensemen like Dougie Hamilton, Brett Pesce, Brady Skjei, and many others without missing a beat. Trading a bounty then paying a bigger bounty for a slight upgrade feels like a mistake.
7. CHRISTIAN DVORAK (PHILADELPHIA FLYERS)
• One Year, $5.4 million
As a player and a gamble, Christian Dvorak is an interesting case. He was traded to the Montreal Canadiens to be a star center, but he immediately fell off the map. After scoring 17 goals in 56 games in 2020-21, the Canadiens sent a first and second-round pick to Arizona for him. Dvorak was rough in Montreal. He saw a big drop in scoring and overall impact. Honestly, prior to last season, Dvorak was a complete disaster. He was better last season, putting up 33 points and playing a full season, but the number the Flyers gave to Dvorak is insane. Yes, it’s just for one year, but it actually feels like a lose-lose for both parties. Dvorak could have had term elsewhere for less money, but he’s probably betting on himself. Doing that in Philadelphia with this roster is a mistake. The Flyers probably think he’s going to be their new depth center. Did they really pay this guy $5.4 million to be a fourth-line center on a bad team?
6. MIKAEL GRANLUND (ANAHEIM DUCKS)
• Three Years, $21 million
The Anaheim Ducks declared prior to the offseason that they wanted to compete in 2025-26. GM Pat Verbeek was ready to wheel and deal, making the moves to push them towards contention after a surprising 80-point season. The Ducks made multiple significant moves this offseason, including another trade with the Rangers to acquire Chris Kreider, following their trade for Jacob Trouba during the season. They moved on from their problem children in John Gibson and Trevor Zegras. The Ducks are ready to put their roster in a competitive position. The final move was hiring head coach Joel Quenneville, the controversial figure after the 2010 Chicago Blackhawks assault scandal. An interesting move by the Ducks was signing Mikael Granlund to a three-year deal, paying him $7 million per season. Granlund was a scary free agent. He got the San Jose Sharks a first-round pick from the Dallas Stars. He scored 21 goals this season, something he hasn’t done since he was playing with the Minnesota Wild. That was four teams ago. Asking him to repeat such success is asking a ton.
5. TANNER JEANNOT (BOSTON BRUINS)
• Five Years, $17 million
Another trend in this offseason was teams trading term for cash. They wanted to bring the salary cap numbers down and kick the can down the road. There are plenty of examples, with Jake Allen’s deal with the New Jersey Devils being the most egregious, but the deal for Tanner Jeannot in Boston is just bizarre. Jeannot was surprisingly one of the most popular free agents this season. Well, maybe it wasn’t so surprising since he hits hard and is tall. That’s why the Tampa Bay Lightning sent a huge trade package to the Nashville Predators to get his services in 2023. Just a year later, the Lightning traded Jeannot for a major loss to the L.A. Kings. That should have been a sign to the Bruins that there was a problem here. He scored 24 goals in 21-22. Since then, he hasn’t scored 24 goals in three seasons combined. He’s coming off a season where he had seven goals and six assists in 67 games. Why is this player getting a five-year deal from a Bruins team that doesn’t know which direction it should go? Maybe this is the Bruins attempt to tank for Gavin McKenna.
4. RYAN LINDGREN (SEATTLE KRAKEN)
• Four Years, $18 million
Now we’re starting to get into the really bad contracts. Ryan Lindgren signed with the Seattle Kraken, one of the first major moves of the Jason Botterill regime. Lindgren has not hit his ceiling and likely never will. Yet, he still got a four-year deal with the Kraken, who desperately need upgrades across the roster. He’s physical, and that is why he still has the value he does today. Teams want physical defenders, but there is an issue there. Players who prioritize other players as a significant value maker often also struggle with positioning. That’s why he was on the ice for a career-high 54 goals against at even strength. Lindgren is basically a third-line defenseman who just got a second-line contract. The Kraken have some good pieces, but they needed to make the right moves this offseason. With everyone talking about free agents targeting no-tax states, it’s crazy that the Kraken left free agency with Lindgren as their top signing.
3. TRENT FREDERIC (EDMONTON OILERS)
• Eight Years, $30.8 million
The Edmonton Oilers had some tidy business to take care of after yet another Stanley Cup Final loss. There were some free agents to sign, an Evander Kane to get out of, and they need to re-sign Connor McDavid for as long and as much as he sees fit. They need to build around McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, and they started by signing one of their trade deadline acquisitions. Trent Frederic joined the Oilers in a three-team trade with the Bruins and Devils to make the contracts work last season. Before he hit unrestricted free agency, the Oilers gave Frederic a godfather offer. He signed for eight years with an average annual value of just under $4 million. On top of the max contract in terms of years, the Oilers gave Frederic a full no-move clause for the first four years. Not only are they stuck with the contract with an inability to trade him where they please, if the league does another round of expansion, they are required to protect Frederic. This contract is just terrible. It’s about eight years too long for the Oilers. Frederic had four points in the playoffs. What did they see in his time in blue and orange that would make them think he was worth such an investment?
2. CODY CECI (LOS ANGELES KINGS)
• Four Years, $18 million
The Los Angeles Kings want to beat the Edmonton Oilers in the playoffs. The Kings haven’t won a playoff series since they beat the New York Rangers in the 2014 Stanley Cup Final. Can you believe it’s been a decade since the Kings won a playoff series? Part of that is because the Oilers have beaten them four years in a row in the first round. The Kings just want one year where they play the Golden Knights. Better yet, they would like to take down the Oilers. So, they put their money where their defense is. They gave Brian Dumoulin a three-year deal worth $4 million, more than many expected him to get. At least Dumoulin was really good in the playoffs this past season for the Devils, and he has rings to his name. Ceci is a player that teams keep signing and trading for. Ceci continues to go to teams, and the bottom falls out. The Kings are going to be his seventh team. Smart teams keep bringing him in. GM of the Year Jim Nill signed this man. Yet, it is still surprising to see deals like this happen. Ceci can prove everyone wrong this year, but he’s 31 years old this season, and as he gets older, we can’t imagine he gets better. The Kings took a gamble on a guy who doesn’t really move the needle and one who doesn’t have untouched talent.
1. IVAN PROVOROV (COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS)
• Seven Years, $59.5 million
The worst contract signed in the NHL since the end of the Stanley Cup Final is the deal given to Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov before the markets opened. They gave him a seven-year deal worth $8.5 million. Listen, Provorov is a fine defenseman, but he shouldn’t be a team’s top-line guy. The Blue Jackets are spending a mint on their defense, with fellow bad contract owner Damon Severson making $6.25 million per season, and deserved Norris Trophy candidate Zack Werenski makes a little more than $9.5 million (also deservedly). The Blue Jackets observed the market's movement and knew someone would overpay for Provorov, so they decided to overpay for him significantly. There weren’t a ton of terrible contracts this offseason like in years past, but there are still some stinkers. And the offseason isn’t over. There are huge extensions that are coming. Next year’s free agency has some superstars like Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, and Kirill Kaprizov, plus top restricted free agents Connor Bedard, Lane Hutson, and Jason Robertson. Those contracts will age like win, but a contract for someone like Trevor Zegras could come with regret.

FIVE DARK HORSE TRADE DESTINATIONS FOR T.J. WATT AS THE PITTSBURGH STEELERS BALK AT CONTRACT DEMANDS... I would first ...
07/08/2025

FIVE DARK HORSE TRADE DESTINATIONS FOR T.J. WATT AS THE PITTSBURGH STEELERS BALK AT CONTRACT DEMANDS...

I would first like to say that I will believe it when I see it. Players the caliber of T.J. Watt never become available for a reason. Pittsburgh took a chance on him late in the first 2017 NFL Draft after so many teams passed on the Wisconsin product. I mean, he was J.J. Watt's kid brother. Why were so many NFL general managers this unbelievably stupid?! All I will say is absolute power corrupts, absolutely.
I wrote about this last week when it came to putting Watt onto five contending teams, or near enough. Whenever it comes to a star player potentially being on the trading block, it is so much touch and go. Everything can change on a dime in an instant, so you better be ready for anything. Again, while I do like the chances of those five teams potentially trading for him, what about those not on the radar? Yes, I am going to outline five different teams who I think could be varying levels of dark-horse contenders to trade for Watt. There are reasons why I did not put any of these new five on the first list. Whether it being too obvious or so far out there, I am willing to give these other fringe trade partners their day in the sun to see if they cannot land Watt. Eventually, water will find its level here. Let's start with the most obvious, but non-obvious candidate to trade for Watt in the first place.
DETROIT LIONS
In some aspects, I could argue that the Detroit Lions are among the favorite teams to potentially trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers for T.J. Watt. They play in the opposite conference and have a contending roster already. While Detroit could really use another edge rusher opposite of Aidan Hutchinson, I wonder to what degree will general manager Brad Holmes mortgage their future. I would argue if head coach Dan Campbell and recently promoted defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard pound the table for this trade, Holmes will get a nudge from owner Sheila Ford Hamp to make it happen. In theory, this feels like a great landing spot for Watt, but we are talking about a guy in the back-half of his prime who has never won anything before going to a team that is trying to do that. I may have overlooked the Lions a bit in the last go-around, but this feels like it is too good to be true.
ARIZONA CARDINALS
Maybe I am too high on the Arizona Cardinals? They are my way-too-early pick to win the NFC West. I love the working relationship general manager Monti Ossenfort seems to have with head coach Jonathan Gannon. I think they are about to build something special. That being said, Michael Bidwill still owns this team, so you better believe he is going to put a ton of pressure on them to win this fall. So would trading for Watt help put the Cardinals on the right side of the ledger? I would not rule that out. However, I do wonder what J.J. will tell T.J. about playing for the Cardinals. Keep in mind he finished his hall-of-fame career playing in The Valley of the Sun. Again, I think it serves Arizona to at least kick the tires on making a deal. I just wonder if the Cardinals would be better than the Steelers. I feel it could seriously go either way if Watt were to be traded to his older brother's final NFL team.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Now this would be something. If the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were to successfully pull off trading for Watt, they might be good enough to get back to another Super Bowl and contend for Lombardi Trophy No. 3. Even with a revolving door at offensive coordinator, I trust Baker Mayfield enough to keep this rocking ship afloat, even though I think most of it has to do with GM Jason Licht's brilliance. For this season, I would expect that head coach Todd Bowles will take a more hands-on approach in trying to help generate a better pass rush. When the Buccaneers can get after the quarterback, they are incredibly tough to beat. This is a team in win-now mode. I would not be afraid to give up multiple first-round picks for Watt if I thought he could help win this team another Super Bowl before too long. Trading for Watt would also keep him from going to rival teams like Atlanta and Carolina in-division.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
I have been incredibly reluctant to name any AFC teams up to this point as a serious suitor for Watt, but now is a good time for me to mention my first. What if the New England Patriots traded for him? I would be stunned to see the Steelers make a deal with the former Evil Empire, even in their reconstructing state. That being said, I really like what they have done this offseason to set the stage. If Watt has the patience to see this through, he may be part of a Super Bowl run or two in New England before he calls it a career. Much of this will be contingent on Drake Maye's growth and development as a franchise quarterback, as well as Eliot Wolf surrouding Mike Vrabel with the most amount of on-field talent possible. It seems highly unlikely, but I cannot cross off the Patriots here. While I sincerely doubt the Steelers will deal him here, the Patriots are not the team they once were.
LOS ANGELES RAMS
From purely a mercenary standpoint, I kind of like the idea of Watt going to the Los Angeles Rams. To me, this feels like their last best chance to win a Super Bowl with Matthew Stafford and this current supporting cast. We have seen general manager Les Snead give up future picks for players he believe can help the Rams win right now. For the most part, it has worked out quite alright for him. Look at the Rams acquiring Watt to be in the same vein they did when it came to Odell Beckham Jr. and Von Miller during the 2021 NFL season. Neither were ever going to be long-term plans for them, but the Rams do not beat Cincinnati in the Super Bowl without either of them making big plays down the stretch. The Rams have to see their Super Bowl window closing and must act on it immediately. This is the landing spot that would make Philadelphia and Washington nervous in the NFC hierarchy.

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