There’s been several high profile names rumored to be trade candidates over the past week, including Raiders receiver Amari Cooper. It was reported earlier today that the Raiders were shopping the former first round pick, but now coach Jon Gruden is pushing back on those reports.
“I’m not. I’m not. I’m just sorry to have to deal with a lot of these reports” Gruden insisted when asked about the reports saying he wanted to get rid of Cooper, according to Scott Bair of NBC Sports (Twitter link). Cooper was injured in the Raiders’ loss to the Seahawks after taking a nasty hit and was diagnosed with a concussion. He’s in the last year of his rookie deal but has a fifth-year option for next year, meaning any team that traded for him would have control of him in 2019. Gruden also previously insisted he wasn’t trying to trade Khalil Mack, so perhaps his denials should be taken with a grain of salt.
Here’s more from the AFC West:
- Case Keenum had another rough game, prompting reporters to ask coach Vance Joseph after the game if Keenum would remain the starter for the Broncos. Joseph answered affirmatively, saying “Case is our quarterback”, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic (Twitter link). Keenum left for one play to be evaluated for a concussion, and the home crowd gave backup Chad Kelly a standing ovation. With the Broncos a sinking ship and Joseph on the hot seat, it wouldn’t be surprising if Kelly gets a look at some point.
- Speaking of Oakland, the Raiders have benched their 2017 first round pick, cornerback Gareon Conley, playing him on zero defensive snaps in their Week 6 loss. Conley could be a possible trade target, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, who tweets that “teams looking to buy low on Conley will be calling.” Gruden has shown a willingness to get rid of high-profile players, and it wouldn’t be surprising if the team gives up on Conley despite his limited time on the field. He missed most of his rookie season due to injury.
- Chiefs All-Pro safety Eric Berry has mysteriously missed every game this season without much of an update from the team, and he is still without a timetable for a return, according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports. Sources told La Canfora that the team is “extremely confident that he will play this season”, but no one seems to know when and the team will continue to “exude extreme caution” handling him. The Chiefs defense has been a liability this season, and would get a massive boost from Berry’s return.
Eric Berry needs to play or retire. Chiefs need to part ways with him this offseason. Can’t spend that money on a player who doesn’t contribute on the field. The execs job is to field a winning team not to make the fans happy
It’s impossible for the Chiefs to part ways with him this off season unless he retires, which he won’t.
Cut ties and stop the weekly drama of will he play or just have a nice seat to watch the game. I know most of it is dead money but move on.
Agreed. He can’t stay on the field. This should be his last year unless he can prove himself to be of health.
Keenum got overpaid so bad and the Broncos dont have a choice but to play him. Elway would just look horrible if they bench him and he knows that
Elway has looked horrible since Manning retired so I don’t know what you’re talking about, he’s missed in FA and the draft. Joseph needs to realize Keenum is not worth losing his job, see what you have in Kelly.
Keenum played out of his mind last year, but I still don’t understand why Elway didn’t go after the more proven Cousins harder. For two years all the pundits were expecting Cousins to end up in Denver for a reason.
Not many people here in Denver were super excited when we signed Keenum. Feel we lost out on Cousins.
Gruden is the guy that tells you“no no we won’t trade you” then immediately goes to McKenzie and Davis and tells them to take the first offer they get because you’re on to them” Gruden as a coach is horrible for the NFL. No one wants to see a team blatantly tank
At the current rate at which Chucky is losing he will have suffered enough defeats in ten years to make Hue Jackson look like a Hall of Fame coach.
Once Gruden ships out the rest of the 53 man roster, then he won’t have any only to blame for being inept. He better slow down!
I can see Dallas going after Cooper
Berry is not going anywhere,he is the heart and soul of the Chiefs and the fans