You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Front Office NFL Chat
powered byJotCast
Sam Robinson
2:31
Happy Halloween, everyone! Trade deadline's coming in a few days. And we have a GM vacancy as of this morning. Let's begin
Crazy Joe Davola
2:38
Sam, after the Chris Grier firing, which other GMs are on the hot seat?
Sam Robinson
2:38
Crazy Joe (good luck with Elaine, by the way)...

I have to think Joe Schoen is high on that list. John Mara gave he and Brian Daboll another year, and although the Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo injuries do not have the team at full strength, Schoen has misfired on several early-round picks -- Evan Neal chief among them. It might be time to throw in the towel if the season goes south.

The other NFC name I'd point to would be Terry Fontenot in Atlanta. He has been given five years now. Going 0-for-4 in playoff berths is certainly a bad sign, and Year 5 has started off rocky. The Falcons' pass rush has finally improved, but if we get a fifth sub-.500 year, it is hard to justify Arthur Blank retaining his GM.

Andrew Berry comes to mind in the AFC, though Jimmy Haslam effectively taking ownership of the Watson trade -- Berry and Stefanski were onboard still -- may give him another year. Berry seemed up against it, but after a solid draft class (so far) and two playoff berths, he might actually hang on
Thigmus
2:41
Since at this point the Giants season is really just one of development with Dart, is there anyone who the Giants can/ should trade that will get something worthwhile back- i.e., 5th round or higher? TY
Sam Robinson
2:41
Thigmus, the list has to start (and maybe end) with Kayvon Thibodeaux. As interesting as this three-EDGE setup is, he does not seem to fit in the long-term vision -- with Burns and Carter each signed through 2028. Controllable through '26, Thibodeaux -- even through his inconsistency -- should net much better offers than Slayton and Ojulari did last year. If Thibodeaux is not traded now, his name will certainly be in rumors come 2026
Grogans Heroes
2:45
Hi, thanks for the chat. Instead of using early draft picks on trades. Do you feel it's better for the Patriots to continue to build through the draft so most of the team is in the same window of time.
Sam Robinson
2:45
I see that logic, but with Maye's rookie-deal window closing in 2027 (when a megadeal will almost definitely come), I think some aggression is warranted.

I know the Pats may not have a true Super Bowl-caliber roster right now, but Maye's leap has them ahead of schedule -- with an NFL-leading cap-space figure. Sitting top eight in EPA/play on both sides of the ball, I would not be too afraid of disrupting a timeline by throwing a couple of Day 3 picks at needs right now. Players with 2026 control would be particularly appealing given this Pats early-Maye window
Sam Robinson
2:46
Strong Steve Grogan id by the way!
walterj23
2:55
What moves will the Steelers be making by the deadline ?
Sam Robinson
2:55
Walterj, with Rodgers leaning toward being a one-and-done, though it will be a while before we know that in all likelihood and the team wanting to maximize this year with him, I do think there's enough smoke here the enduring WR2 need will be addressed. I can't think they expect Marquez Valdes-Scantling's past with Rodgers past to sufficiently move the needle. Jakobi Meyers may not take too much to acquire, and the Rashid Shaheed derby will be interesting to follow

Likewise on defense, I can't expect them to stand pat after Kyle Dugger. A younger CB controlled beyond 2025 would be a goal, and maybe more interior D-line help following Daniel Ekuale's injury
Cleveland Rocks!!’n
3:02
When will we finally see Sanders at Quarterback?
Sam Robinson
3:02
It is apparent the organization is not too invested in Shedeur. Gabriel, though, is at 4.9 yards per attempt (and last in QBR); that is obviously not going to cut it. I'd guess Sanders starts a few games this season, but seeing as Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski handpicked Gabriel, it might take an injury for that to happen before at least December. Ownership influence will also be a storyline to monitor there, as it would seem that level is higher on Sanders than the football-ops staffers are.
Texans Fan
3:12
How do you feel Nick Caley is doing overall?  Anyone potential trade targets on the OL that would make a difference?
Sam Robinson
3:12
Texans Fan, it is a bit hard to tell at this point on Caley. The team has again been mired in skill-position health issues, limiting Stroud to a degree, and its O-line configuration is rather strange. I do see some O-line pieces that would help.

Cesar Ruiz has six years' experience as the Saints' RG, but the team may finally be ready to rebuild. The Texans already worked with the Browns on the Cam Robinson trade. Calling about Wyatt Teller or Joel Bitonio as a guard rental would make sense. The Titans may want to keep Zeitler to help Cam Ward's development, but the Raiders' new staff seems to like Jackson Powers-Johnson (who could play center or guard) less than the staff that drafted him last year
Roger
3:20
The season's almost half over. Who are your picks for division winners and wild cards?
Sam Robinson
3:20
Roger, for the AFC, I like the Patriots, Broncos and Chargers. Denver holding off Kansas City in the West is harder to buy now that Surtain will miss time (likely including the first KC matchup). But if KC loses to Buffalo this week and cannot win in Denver, I think I would pick the Broncos out West and the Chiefs as a wild card. The Pats' schedule sets up quite nicely for a 5 seed at the worst

NFC, I'll go Lions, Seahawks, 49ers. Two great division races on tap, but I'm buying the Packers getting the NFCN home game. Rams having a solid injury situation (knock on wood re: Stafford) compared to the 49ers makes me favor them in the West right now
Birds of Prey
3:25
After the Ravens' win last night are they legitimate contenders for the division as I have been hearing a lot of today?
Sam Robinson
3:25
Birds of Prey, I say legit. Although Madubuike isn't coming back, Lamar and other pieces being back showed the potential (albeit against a down Miami team) last night.

The Bengals dropping that Jets game is a killer, and they still have two Ravens matchups. The Steelers' steep defensive decline makes their standing rather shaky. The Ravens are fortunate to have not seen their Lamar-less stretch overlap with their divisional games
Playoffs or bust.
3:37
With the good play of Drake Maye, where should the Patriots look to strengthen the roster first? (Edge, DB, RB, OL)
Sam Robinson
3:37
I agree on EDGE; Chaisson has been unreliable in every prior year. I would certainly expect them to look around there, as there are available options (even if the Dolphins probably won't send them Chubb or Phillips). The two Titans OLBs (Dre'Mont Jones, Arden Key) are options; Vrabel was with Key in 2023 and Alex Wright in Cleveland last year. Wondering if one of the Maxx Crosby sidekicks (Tyree Wilson, Malcolm Koonce) could be had. The Saints (Cam Jordan, Carl Granderson) should be listening there.

Getting in on the guard market (for a potential short-term LG upgrade) could be interesting, as there may be a few names available. Although safety may not be a lead issue, the Pats are maybe a bit underinvested there. RB would be a bit odd due to Henderson's status as a second-round pick; how they look without Stevenson this week will be telling there
Cowboy Whoas
3:45
Where can the Cowboys go to improve the defense, even if Jerry refuses to think it is a problem?
Sam Robinson
3:45
Cowboy Whoas, how long do you have? The team ranking 31st in EPA without Parsons on the field from 2021-24 certainly checks out. I don't know if it's reasonable to buy right now, even if Jerry said the first-rounders could be dangled. Given how well the Cowboys generally fare in Round 1, I'd save those for rookies to bolster it that way.

It would be odd to make a trade for an edge rusher after sending Parsons away. A linebacker would make sense, and with Micah money not joining Dak and Lamb's in clogging the payroll, that would be a place to look. Come 2026, at least one starting CB (maybe two) to team with Bland will be mandatory.
Sam Robinson
3:50
Thank you for the questions today, guys. And thank you for supporting PFR with the Trade Rumors Front Office subscriptions. Have a good weekend, everyone. Will be back to chat again next week
Connecting…