NFL trade rumors: Diontae Johnson, Christian Kirk generate interest amid Kupp Buzz | News, scores, highlights, stats and rumours

Carolina Panthers’ Diontae Johnson and Jacksonville Jaguars’ Christian Kirk generate the most trade interest among NFL wide receivers now that Los Angeles Rams’ Cooper Kupp is effectively off the market, ESPN Adam Schefter reported.

Kupp was seen as a popular trade target until the Rams won two games in five days and head coach Sean McVay Reiter that star wideout will not be traded.

With Kupp likely to remain in Los Angeles and wide receivers DeAndre Hopkins, Davante Adams and Amari Cooper already traded, it “wouldn’t be a surprise” to see one or both of Johnson and Kirk dealt with new teams before the November 5 deadline. , on Schefter.

Johnson was traded by the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Panthers in exchange for cornerback Donte Jackson and a trade of late-round picks this offseason.

The sixth-year wideout led the Panthers with 30 catches for 357 yards and three touchdowns in seven games while expressing some frustration with his team’s lack of success on the field.

Johnson has already been ruled out for Carolina’s Week 8 contest against the Denver Broncos on Sunday. When asked Friday if that decision was made to keep Johnson healthy for a potential trade, head coach Dave Canales he told reporters that question should be asked of general manager Dan Morgan and executive vice president of football operations Brandt Tillis.

Johnson plays on one expiring contract who have $3.5 million remaining for the second half of the season.

The Panthers are looking for a “mid-round” pick in exchange for that contract, and several teams have already expressed interest in a potential trade, according to Schefter.

Kirk, on the other hand, has one year left on his contract with a base salary of $15.5 million after this season. Playing behind Brian Thomas as the secondary target to Trevor Lawrence, he had 25 catches for 320 yards and a touchdown in seven games.

The Jaguars head into Week 8 with a 2-5 record. They might be more likely to consider offers for Kirk if they fall to 2-6 this weekend, Schefter noted.

After the Kansas City Chiefs added Hopkins, the New York Jets acquired Adams and the Buffalo Bills traded him for Cooper, one team still in need of an extension is the Pittsburgh Steelers. The one from Athletic Dianna Russini recently reported that she believes the team will make a move to bolster a receiving room currently led by George Pickens, so general manager Omar Khan could decide to pursue one of those wideouts before the deadline.