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- Dream (but realistic) trade targets for every MLB team this offseason
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Dolphins considering drastic Tua Tagovailoa move
Tua Tagovailoa's future as the Miami Dolphins' starting quarterback may be on shaky ground. Through nine starts, Tagovailoa is 2-7 and has posted a below-average 43.6 QBR. If his play doesn't improve soon, the team may make a drastic move. Dolphins are reportedly considering benching Tua Tagovailoa In a story published Sunday, NFL Media insider Ian Rapoport reported the Dolphins could bench Tagovailoa in favor of Zach Wilson or rookie Quinn Ewers later this season. Rapoport added, "Tagovailoa's play would really have to fall off for Miami to turn to either Wilson or Ewers." However, the QB may be nearing that point. In his past four games, the 2020 first-round pick has tossed seven of his 11 interceptions. Wilson and Ewers have both filled in for Tagovailoa during blowout losses this season. Former New York Jets flop Wilson completed 5-of-8 passes for 32 yards in a 33-8 Week 1 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Ewers, a seventh-round pick out of Texas, finished 5-of-8 passing for 53 yards in a 31-6 Week 7 loss to the Cleveland Browns. What would happen if the Dolphins benched Tua Tagovailoa? The Dolphins' benching of Tagovailoa would signal they want to move on from the QB, but that would be challenging. In July 2024, the former Alabama star signed a four-year, $212.4M contract extension with $167.1M guaranteed. The deal is now an albatross for the franchise. According to Rapoport, Miami would incur an NFL-record $99.2M cap hit if it released him this offseason. The Dolphins could designate him as a post-June 1 cut to spread the amount out over the next two seasons ($67.4M in 2026 and $31.8M in 2027). The Denver Broncos did the same in March 2024, after taking an $85M cap hit following the release of former starting QB Russell Wilson. To avoid these expenses, the Dolphins could consider trading Tagovailoa with a post-June 1 designation. A pre-June 1 trade would leave $45.2M in dead money against Miami's salary cap. But a declining and injury-prone Tagovailoa shouldn't attract many suitors. The sixth-year veteran has had four documented concussions in his NFL career. The Dolphins should hope Tagovailoa gets his act together. Per Over The Cap, his deal runs out of guaranteed salary in 2027. Until then, they're likely stuck with the 27-year-old passer.
Steelers' Undrafted Free Agent Rookie Could Help Influence 2026 First-Round Decision
Even though the Pittsburgh Steelers have gotten quality quarterback play in 2025 with Aaron Rodgers, they still need to search for a future face of the franchise. Rodgers is almost 42 years old and close to retirement. Even if he does play another season, it will be good to have a first-round pick behind him to learn and develop in a way that even most coaches can't do. If Pittsburgh has to trade up to get a quality option, the front office has to stop delaying the inevitable and take a shot at a young gun. Just because Ke'Shawn Williams is an undrafted rookie for the Steelers, that doesn't mean that he can't help with a scouting report. After his final year in college, he worked with recent transfer Fernando Mendoza during offseason training, as well as Williams' Pro Day. He spoke with reporter Brian Batko about what he has seen in the Indiana Hoosiers' star. "It’s just his ability to do everything," Williams said. "He can make the throws, he’s very mobile, he has a lot of experience, very smart leader, a good person — all the intangible things you want out of a quarterback, somebody to come in and potentially lead your group...He’s got my vote, for sure." After transferring from the California Golden Bears to Indiana, Mendoza has lit the college world on fire. He currently leads the FBS in touchdown passes through eight games, and it's not like Indiana has had an easy schedule either. He has gone up against two Top 10 teams in the country and led the Hoosiers to victories in both contests, including a road upset against the Oregon Ducks. Indiana is now the #2 team in the country, only behind conference rival Ohio State Buckeyes. If Mendoza and the Hoosiers keep this up, the two teams will face off in the Big 10 conference championship game, where the winner will have the top seed in the College Football Playoffs and get a first-round bye, while the loser would have to play in the first round. This amazing 2025 performance has put the 22-year-old junior near the top of the quarterback rankings of the 2026 draft class. He is currently favored to win the Heisman Trophy as well. Depending on how he does in this last month of football and in the playoffs, he may even be out of the Steelers' reach, as he could easily be the first overall pick. Even if he falls outside the Top 5, it may be worth it for the Steelers to make a trade to get him. Steelers Are Likely Underwhelmed By Everyone Else It goes without saying that outside of Mendoza, most draft-eligible quarterbacks have completely bottomed out in the 2025 season. It's so bad that the Steelers may consider skipping out on drafting a quarterback in 2026 if they can't land Mendoza. If that is the case, the price to trade up in the 2026 NFL draft may rise up as well. Of course, the Steelers overall have not played great football, and there is a realistic chance that they end up drafting higher than they usually do. Obviously, nobody in that organization has any desire to tank, but a sub-par season for Pittsburgh standards could put them in a better position to go and get their guy. What is there to lose at this point? Despite Williams' scouting report on Mendoza, it's not set in stone that General Manager Omar Khan will do everything he can to try and draft the Indiana star. However, that inside information will still be helpful in the long run, especially Khan believes his testimony lines up with the tape at all. The undrafted receiver is not the deciding vote, but he could give a little nudge to help sway the Steelers towards selecting him.
Cowboys Go Big: 3 Bold Trades Change Everything
The Cowboys could trade for Maxx Crosby, T’Vondre Sweat, and Minkah Fitzpatrick, reshaping their defense with bold moves before the 2025 NFL trade deadline. Cowboys Eye a Defensive Overhaul The Dallas Cowboys could be on the verge of one of the boldest defensive shakeups in franchise history. With the offense ranking among the NFL’s best, owner Jerry Jones is exploring trades to rebuild the defense around proven veterans — could those players be Maxx Crosby, T’Vondre Sweat, and Minkah Fitzpatrick? Each move would fill a critical void: Crosby would restore Dallas’s edge pressure, Sweat would anchor the interior alongside Kenny Clark and Osa Odighizuwa, and Fitzpatrick would take over as the Cowboys’ top safety, replacing Donovan Wilson. With tradable assets like Trevon Diggs, Jalen Tolbert, and Mazi Smith, and multiple future high draft picks, Dallas has both the means and the motivation to make major moves before the 2025 trade deadline. Maxx Crosby: The Elite Edge Dallas Needs Maxx Crosby is everything the Cowboys defense has been missing since parting ways with Micah Parsons — a relentless, emotional leader who sets the tone every snap. The Las Vegas Raiders continue to insist he’s untouchable, but the Cowboys may force their hand with a massive offer involving future first-round picks. Crosby recorded 12.5 sacks and over 80 pressures last season, ranking among the top three edge rushers in both total pressures and pass-rush win rate. His relentless playstyle and durability make him a perfect fit in Dallas, where physical toughness has too often been inconsistent. Potential Trade Scenario 1: Cowboys receive: Maxx Crosby Raiders receive: 2026 1st-round pick (Dallas) and 2026 1st-round pick (via Green Bay) Why it works: Dallas gets an All-Pro pass-rusher still in his prime and under contract through 2029. Las Vegas gains valuable draft capital for a potential rebuild. Fit: Crosby opposite Jadeveon Clowney, with rookie Donovan Ezeiruaku in rotation, would give the Cowboys one of the NFL’s most feared edge units. T’Vondre Sweat: Power for the Interior One Cowboys’ defensive weakness has been their run defense, and T’Vondre Sweat could solve that overnight. The 6’4”, 360-pound defensive tackle from Texas has quickly developed into a powerful run defender for the Tennessee Titans, capable of clogging lanes and collapsing the pocket. Sweat would join Kenny Clark and Osa Odighizuwa in a three-man rotation that finally gives Dallas the interior stability it has lacked. Potential Trade Scenario 2: Cowboys receive: T’Vondre Sweat Titans receive: DT Mazi Smith and a 2027 2nd-round pick Why it works: Dallas upgrades instantly with a young, dominant tackle, while Tennessee gains a developmental replacement and a valuable future pick. Fit: Sweat’s presence would allow Clark and Osa to rotate more efficiently, keeping the front line fresh deep into games. For Dallas, this move would finally transform the defensive front from soft to stout. Minkah Fitzpatrick: New Leader in the Secondary With the Miami Dolphins facing roster and cap pressure after multiple major extensions, the Cowboys could pounce on an opportunity to land Minkah Fitzpatrick. The veteran safety is one of the NFL’s most intelligent and versatile defensive backs, capable of playing single-high, man coverage, or in the box. Potential Trade Scenario 3: Cowboys receive: Minkah Fitzpatrick Dolphins receive: CB Trevon Diggs, WR Jalen Tolbert, and a 2026 4th-round pick Why it works: Dallas upgrades at safety, replacing Donovan Wilson with an All-Pro who brings more range, communication, and consistency on the back end. Miami, meanwhile, gets a younger Pro Bowl corner and valuable depth for its offensive system. Fit: Fitzpatrick’s arrival would push Wilson out of the starting lineup, creating a safety trio of Fitzpatrick, Malik Hooker, and Juanyeh Thomas — giving Dallas flexibility and experience across the board. Building a Championship-Caliber Defense If Dallas pulled off even two of these trades, the defensive identity would completely change. Crosby gives Dallas the edge terror it’s lacked since Parsons’ departure. Sweat turns the interior into a wall with Clark and Osa. Fitzpatrick commands the secondary with experience and playmaking ability. Each trade represents a short-term gamble with long-term potential payoff — exactly the kind of aggressive approach Jerry Jones has long been known for. Time for Bold Moves Trading two 2026 first-rounders for Crosby, Mazi Smith and a 2027 second for Sweat, and Diggs, Tolbert, and a 2026 fourth for Fitzpatrick would reshape the Cowboys defense overnight. It’s costly. It’s aggressive. And it’s exactly the kind of move that can turn a playoff team into a Super Bowl threat. With Dak Prescott playing some of the best football of his career and the offense firing on all cylinders, this may be Dallas’s best window to win big. Adding stars like Crosby, Sweat, and Fitzpatrick could make the Cowboys’ defense as dangerous as their offense — and finally make them true contenders again.
Five candidates to replace Hugh Freeze as Auburn's head coach
Auburn fired head coach Hugh Freeze on Sunday, who posted a 15–19 overall mark in his three seasons with the Southeastern Conference school. A little later on Sunday, Tigers athletics director John Cohen officially announced the news of Freeze being let go. Freeze's buyout is $15.44 million, according to USA Today, and Auburn's decision to part ways with him is another step toward 2025 potentially being a record year for buyouts amid a frenetic coaching carousel. Five possible candidates to replace Hugh Freeze at Auburn Jimbo Fisher, former Texas A M head coach Fisher won a national championship as the head coach at Florida State. He also has deep ties to the SEC. He served as Auburn's quarterbacks coach in the 1990s, and Fisher was also the head coach at Texas A M from 2018-23. James Franklin, former Penn State head coach The Nittany Lions fired Franklin in October, although he did lead Penn State to the College Football Playoff semifinal round a season ago. Franklin has been rumored as a potential front-runner for the opening at Virginia Tech, but Auburn leaders will gauge his interest in the Tigers' job. Franklin, before guiding Penn State, was also in the SEC as the head coach at Vanderbilt from 2011-13. Alex Golesh, South Florida head coach Golesh is a hot prospect as a candidate for big power-conference openings. A few years ago, he was the offensive coordinator and tight ends coach at SEC school Tennessee. In his three campaigns with South Florida, Golesh is 20-14 overall. This season, the Bulls are 6-2 and in the hunt for a berth in the 12-team College Football Playoff. Brent Key, Georgia Tech head coach Key grew up in the state of Alabama and also served as the offensive line coach for the Crimson Tide from 2016-18. In his four seasons at Georgia Tech, the Yellow Jackets have gone 26-17 overall. Although Georgia Tech suffered its first defeat this season over the weekend, the Yellow Jackets are 8-1 and in the hunt for an Atlantic Coast Conference championship and a berth in the CFP. Jon Sumrall, Tulane head coach Sumrall has a ton of SEC ties. He played linebacker at Kentucky and also served as co-defensive coordinator of the Wildcats. He was also the linebackers coach at Ole Miss. As the head coach at Troy, Sumrall went 23–4, and he is 15–7 so far in two seasons with Tulane. The Green Wave, in 2025, are a CFP contender.
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