INDIANAPOLIS – Who said there are no games played in the NFL at this time of year?
Sure, the NFL Scouting Combine mostly is about running, jumping and interviewing, but there are plenty of “games” played this week. Not any with a scoreboard, but the kind that include trade proposals, free-agent tampering, calling bluffs and shaping public narratives, courtesy of team executives, coaches, agents and media all gathering together.
The three quarterbacks who could be the first three picks of the NFL Draft — Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels –- will be a primary focus, but there is much more business to decide. Here are five storylines to follow this week:
1. The Bears’ trade plan
Are the Bears listening to offers for quarterback Justin Fields? For the No. 1 overall pick? For either/or?
One year after trading No. 1 for a haul of assets, the Bears face the same dilemma: Stick with Fields or trade him and start anew at quarterback?
Three factors that could lead to the opposite decision: Fields is entering the final year of his contract with a decision due by May on his $25.6 million option for 2025, the Bears might regret trading out of 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud and this is considered a very good quarterback class, especially compared to 2025 expectations.
2. Caleb and the QB class
Could Williams pull an often-speculated, rarely-executed Eli Manning Power Play and try to force a trade to a preferred destination? Williams’ camp has denied reports that he doesn’t want to play in Chicago and that he seeks partial ownership of a franchise, but those leaks are coming from somewhere.
Williams hasn’t always reacted well to criticism, snubbing media after losses, including in his final game at USC. Any smart scouting team should have some uncomfortable questions – maybe about his family dynamics – ready for their formal interviews.
Daniels’ weigh-in and quarterback Michael Penix Jr.’s medical exams – after four season-ending injuries in a six-year career – also will be spotlighted. J.J. McCarthy and maybe Drake Maye have a chance to shine Saturday by throwing in drills while Williams and Daniels sit out.
3. Kirk Cousins, Russell Wilson futures
Unless the Vikings re-sign him by March 11, Cousins will be a highly sought-after free agent. He is older but better than when he secured a record-setting fully guaranteed three-year, $84 million deal in 2018, so what is his price now? Does it need to be fully guaranteed?
Wilson is expected to be off the Broncos by March 17, when his $37 million salary for 2025 becomes fully guaranteed. Is there a trade market, or will he be cut?
What is the Broncos’ plan at quarterback after their dirty pool– asking Wilson to amend his contract or get benched – was revealed? Picking head coach Sean Payton over Wilson in their feud seems risky.
4. The new New England
The Patriots usually are quiet at the combine for two reasons: First, former head coach/de facto general manager Bill Belichick didn’t hold a news conference here after 2014. Second, they usually draft late in the first round.
Times are changing: The Patriots are picking No. 3, Belichick is out of the league and director of scouting Eliot Wolf is scheduled to field questions.
Just how big of a rebuild is in store for the defunct dynasty? Is the No. 3 pick available for trade or will it be used on a new quarterback, as head coach Jerod Mayo previously hinted?
5. Receiver craze
A case could be made that the three-best prospects regardless of positional value are receivers: Marvin Harrison Jr., Rome Odunze and Malik Nabers. And it’s a deep class, too.
How will that affect the availability of some top NFL receivers? The Bengals tagged Tee Higgins, but are Calvin Ridley Jr. and Mike Evans headed for free agency?
Is Davante Adams available for trade with the Raiders’ quarterback position in flux? Or Jaylen Waddle if the cap-strapped Dolphins look elsewhere?
Clues should start coming today.
