AFC West

The Denver Broncos are reportedly seeking a first-round pick in trade talks for linebacker Bradley Chubb.

Peter King of NBC Sports reported the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets are among the teams interested and could wind up being willing to part with a first before Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET deadline.

Chubb is in the final year of his rookie contract and could become an unrestricted free agent at season's end if he doesn't sign an extension, and that'll be a factor in trade talks.

King noted the only way a team is likely to meet the Broncos' first-round asking price would be if they also have a "deal done with Chubb beyond this year."

The 26-year-old NC State product has been hampered by injuries during his five-year run with Denver since being selected in the first round of the 2018 draft. He missed 24 games over the past three years, including 10 last year with an ankle injury.

That said, he's been an effective pass-rusher when healthy, tallying 26 sacks across 49 career regular-season appearances. He's recorded 5.5 sacks in eight games so far in 2022.

Chubb said Friday it was "cool to be in a position where the interest comes in" but explained his focus remained on helping the Broncos.

"I'm not even thinking about that, bro," Chubb told reporters. "I'm just focused on these guys right here, orange, white and blue. Be the best leader, got the 'C' on my chest for a reason. Captains don't let stuff get to them. They don't sweat under pressure."

While both the Jets and Dolphins, who are AFC East rivals, could use an edge-rushing upgrade, it's probably a bigger need for Miami.

The Dolphins have recorded a modest 15 sacks in eight games so far this season, including just one takedown of the Detroit Lions' Jared Goff on Sunday. Linebacker Jaelan Phillips leads the team with three sacks.

Miami has looked like an emerging contender when quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been healthy, but making it out of a conference with top-tier QBs like the Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen and Kansas City Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes will require the ability to create pressure.

General manager Chris Grier, who's already shown his willingness to make a splash with a high-profile deal for wide receiver Tyreek Hill in the offseason, has until 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday to decide whether to bolster his defense with Chubb or another edge-rusher.

Expectations were high coming into the season for the Las Vegas Raiders after they acquired Davante Adams, but things have not gone according to plan.

And head coach Josh McDaniels is sorry for the 2-5 start.

"I apologize to Raider Nation for that performance," McDaniels told reporters following Sunday's 24-0 loss to the New Orleans Saints.

It was a performance worthy of an apology.

Las Vegas didn't score a single point, as Derek Carr went 15-of-26 for 101 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception. Josh Jacobs managed just 43 yards on the ground, as the Raiders had to shift away from the ground game as they fell behind into comeback mode.

New Orleans didn't have to do much on offense given its defensive performance, but Andy Dalton still impressed, going 22-of-30 for 229 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions.

Alvin Kamara was the star as he scored all three of the home team's touchdowns, with one coming on the ground and the other two through the air.

New Orleans is just 3-5 on the season but in a much better position than the 2-5 Raiders thanks to their respective divisions. The Saints are just one game behind the 4-4 Atlanta Falcons for first place in the NFC South, while Las Vegas is in last place in a much more daunting AFC West.

Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are in first place at 5-2, while the 4-3 Los Angeles Chargers and 3-5 Denver Broncos are also ahead of McDaniels' team.

McDaniels helped the New England Patriots win three Super Bowls as an offensive coordinator but has yet to find success as a head coach. He went 11-17 in two seasons with the Broncos in 2009 and 2010 and is off to a lackluster start in his first year with the Raiders.

Perhaps he can get things turned around, but it's not the best sign that he is already apologizing just seven games into the campaign.

The Las Vegas Raiders were blown out by the New Orleans Saints 24-0 on Sunday at Caesars Superdome to drop to 2-5 on the season, and things probably couldn't have gone any worse for the team.

Quarterback Derek Carr put together one of his worst starts of the season, completing 15 of 26 passes for 101 yards and no touchdowns against one interception. Star wide receiver Davante Adams posted one catch for three yards on five targets, and Mack Hollins led the team with seven catches for 64 yards on eight targets.

While the offense looked disjointed, the defense played just as poorly, allowing the Saints to tally 367 yards of total offense and three touchdowns.

Saints quarterback Andy Dalton had an impressive performance, completing 22 of 30 passes for 229 yards and two touchdowns against no interceptions, and running back Alvin Kamara rushed for 62 yards and one touchdown, in addition to catching nine passes for 96 yards and two scores.

With the Raiders showing zero signs of improvement under new head coach Josh McDaniels, fans are now calling for him to be fired:

Ok hear me out here…

Maybe Josh McDaniels is not a great head coach.

— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) October 30, 2022

Raiders have to fire McDaniels. He’s not a head coach.

— Connor Clement (@connorclementtv) October 30, 2022

Josh McDaniels should be on the hot seat for this abysmal Raiders offense. How do you add Adams and be this terrible? Carr looks completely off.

— Matt Parrino (@MattParrino) October 30, 2022

Who could have possibly predicted the Raiders would hire Josh McDaniels and get worse.

— Kip Hill (@kiphillreporter) October 30, 2022

Hopefully Raiders fire McDaniels at half and hes on next plane to Foxboro

— Mike Grinnell (@MikeGrinnell_) October 30, 2022

Is Josh McDaniels about to be one and done?

— Football Chopz (@Pchopz_) October 30, 2022

https://twitter.com/djhomicide/status/1586794724085485569

Fire Josh McDaniels @Raiders

— Raiders Report Mitchell Renz (@MitchellRenz365) October 30, 2022

https://twitter.com/united_raiders/status/1586793611831611394

the only good thing out this game is thay Josh McDaniels is finally gonna get fired 🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭

— amina 🫵🏻 (@bonjourperiodt) October 30, 2022

https://twitter.com/DerekAdamThomas/status/1586775122052087810

Josh McDaniels trying to enter team facilities tomorrow: pic.twitter.com/5hBh72ddgt

— Gunnar (@GunnarCherry) October 30, 2022

Josh McDaniels may not make it through all 17 games

— Mike Settle Jr (@settleml92) October 30, 2022

McDaniels has never put together a winning season as an NFL head coach. During his first season as head coach of the Denver Broncos in 2009, the team went 8-8. In 2010, Denver went 3-9 before McDaniels was fired.

If the 46-year-old isn't fired following Sunday's loss, he'll undoubtedly be on the hot seat.

The 2-5 Raiders will meet the 2-6 Jacksonville Jaguars next weekend at TIAA Bank Field.

The Denver Broncos will leave London as victors but not without detractors.

Lavavius Murray scored a touchdown from two yards out with 1:43 remaining to give the Broncos a 21-17 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, yet the focus remains intently on the struggles of quarterback Russell Wilson and coach Nathaniel Hackett.

In a rare display of public displeasure at a neutral-site game, the Broncos offense was loudly booed by the London crowd in the first half for punting on a 4th-and-1 while being roundly mocked on social media.

Nathaniel Hackett’s game plan every single week pic.twitter.com/dbwC9bYVWz

— TheOGfantasyfootball (@TheOGfantasy) October 30, 2022

NOTHING IF THAT JABRONI RUSSELL WILSON COOKING IT https://t.co/WGe0ae3YA8

— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) October 30, 2022

maybe the "Broncos Country" referenced by Russell Wilson is, in fact, the United Kingdom

— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) October 30, 2022

The rest of the AFC West is smiling because Nathaniel Hackett saved his job for at least another week.

— Mark Gunnels (@MarkAGunnels) October 30, 2022

Broncos coach Nathanial Hackett was hit by cars six times in London this week. His game plan said look to the left and he refused to make adjustments.

— Clue Heywood (@ClueHeywood) October 30, 2022

https://twitter.com/dirtbagqueer/status/1586717697873674240

Russell Wilson spent 4 hours doing high knees and stretches on the plane to London just to throw interceptions

— Football (@BostonConnr) October 30, 2022

To be fair, we all must note the Broncos won this game and did so in thrilling come-from-behind fashion. Denver's offense appeared to find a more consistent rhythm as the second half went along, and Wilson drilled KJ Hamler for a 47-yard gain on the Broncos' game-winning drive.

RUSS WITH A DIME TO HAMLER 🎯

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/89juiCWP2Y

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 30, 2022

Good for Russ, man. Some rough moments but made a couple vintage plays on the game winning drive.

— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) October 30, 2022

Even in victory, it's clear this team is a seismic disappointment. Considered a Super Bowl contender coming into the preseason, Denver's greatest cause for celebration of late was a four-point win over a 2-6 Jaguars team. That's not exactly what Hackett and Wilson had in mind when they came together.

A Week 9 bye should give all parties a chance to rest and regroup before hopefully coming back and beginning to live up to their potential.

Two days away from the NFL trade deadline, a number of difference-making defensive players could find themselves on new teams soon.

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, multiple teams have called the Denver Broncos about linebacker Bradley Chubb, including one that is willing to trade its first-round pick and additional compensation.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo added that opposing teams believe Chubb is the "most likely" Broncos player to be dealt before the deadline, but Denver won't do it unless it gets "the perfect offer."

Carolina Panthers defensive end Brian Burns was another marquee name Rapoport, Pelissero and Garafolo cited. Schefter reported last week the Panthers had already turned down an offer of two first-round picks for the 24-year-old.

According to the NFL Network report, the Panthers intend to keep Burns with the goal of extending him "in part to make sure the next head coach has plenty of talent to work with." They did note that general manager Scott Fitterer will always take calls, but a team would have to increase the offer from two first-round draft picks to entice him to make the move.

After Robert Quinn's trade to the Philadelphia Eagles on Wednesday, linebacker Roquan Smith's future with the Chicago Bears became a hot topic of discussion. The 25-year-old requested a trade during the offseason because of his unhappiness with how the Bears were handling extension talks.

According to Rapoport, Pelissero and Garafolo, there are a select group of teams with a need at inside linebacker that could pursue Smith. But the Bears could be inclined to franchise-tag him for at least one more season as they try to negotiate a long-term deal.

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Josh Allen has also been discussed, but it doesn't sound like a deal will happen before the deadline.

"Allen remains a key and valued piece of their future," Rapoport, Pelissero and Garafolo wrote. "He's a player Jacksonville wants to keep rather than trade and then attempt to replace. He would be due just $10.892 million in 2023 on his fifth-year option and in line for a big extension sooner than later."

Based on their positional value and production, Burns, Chubb and Allen would likely be the most impactful players moved if any of them were to get dealt.

Burns has one year remaining on his rookie deal that will pay him $16 million in 2023. He has eight tackles for loss and five sacks for the Panthers.

Chubb has eight quarterback hits and 5.5 sacks in seven starts this season.

Allen has 11 quarterback hits, five tackles for loss and three sacks in seven games. He would likely bring back more in a trade than Chubb by virtue of having one year remaining on his rookie contract.

Often, the NFL trade deadline ends up being a lot more smoke than fire. But with Christian McCaffrey and Quinn having already been dealt, teams vying for a playoff spot could be more aggressive in a season with so much parity around the league.

The trade deadline is Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.

Running back Ronald Jones seemed to suggest Friday night on Twitter that he wants his release from the Kansas City Chiefs.

While Jones didn't specifically mention the Chiefs in his tweet, he noted that he would "like a release."

Sure would like a RELEASE right about now

— Rojo ひ “The Breeze” (@rojo) October 29, 2022

Jones signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Chiefs in free agency during the offseason, but he has found himself buried on the depth chart.

In fact, Jones has not been active for a single game this season, as head coach Andy Reid has opted to roll with a backfield comprised of Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Jerick McKinnon and rookie seventh-round pick Isiah Pacheco.

Jones was originally a second-round pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2018, and he spent his first four NFL seasons with the Bucs.

His best campaign occurred in 2020, when he rushed for a career-high 978 yards and seven touchdowns while also catching 28 passes for 165 yards and one score. The Bucs also won the Super Bowl that season, although Leonard Fournette solidified himself as the lead back during the playoffs.

Jones' role lessened significantly last season, as he rushed for just 428 yards and four touchdowns and made 10 receptions for 64 yards.

There was some thought after Jones signed with Kansas City that he would become the Chiefs' lead back and preferred option in short-yardage situations since Edwards-Helaire failed to live up to expectations in his first two seasons, but CEH has averaged a solid 4.4 yards per carry.

McKinnon and Pacheco are also more dynamic options with pass-catching ability, and they have done enough to keep Jones off the field as well.

Jones is somewhat one-dimensional as a power running back, but if the Chiefs were to release him, he would likely be on the active roster for a different team on a weekly basis.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs credited his offensive line for his breakout 2022 season in an interview with Jim Trotter for NFL.com.

"If you look at the years I've been in the league since my rookie year, this is the first time I've had lanes where I'm not getting touched for 3 yards. I'm not having to make people miss in the backfield. I don't think the O-line gets enough credit. You only see when they mess up. You don't ever see how good they've really been. Obviously we've found an identity running the ball, and that's a testament to them. I just put my spin on it after they have already laid the groundwork."

Jacobs has been on fire over the past three weeks thanks to 523 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns. The Raiders have averaged 33.0 points per game during that span.

He's also rushed for 5.7 yards per carry for the year, which is second behind only the Cleveland Browns' Nick Chubb for any running back with at least 100 carries. His 633 rushing yards ranks third overall behind Chubb and the New York Giants' Saquon Barkley.

Jacobs has been exceptional, but the line has played a big role, too.

According to ESPN Analytics, the Raiders' offensive line is currently fourth in run-block win rate (74 percent). Football Outsiders ranks the Raiders' run-blocking unit No. 1 in the league with 5.69 adjusted-line yards per carry.

Offensive tackle Kolton Miller has notably been a stalwart on the offensive line this year. He's the only Raider to have played every offensive snap this season.

In Sunday's 38-20 win over the Houston Texans, Miller, center Andre James, guards Alex Bars and Dylan Parham and tackle Thayer Munford served as the O-line combination for most of the game. Parham and Munford are rookies.

Jacobs rushed for 143 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries that afternoon.

The Raiders selected Jacobs, a former Alabama star, with the No. 24 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft. He averaged 1,280 yards from scrimmage over his first three campaigns while scoring 28 touchdowns.

The 24-year-old is well on his way to a career year in 2022, however, and he'll also be entering free agency after the Raiders declined his fifth-year option last offseason.

Jacobs looked at that as a positive, though, in comments made to Trotter.

"If you want me to be honest, I was thinking, OK, I'm 24 years old. I'm about to get to the bag (free agency dollars) faster now. I'm one year closer to doing what I've been working for all these years. To me, I didn't look at it negatively. I'm going to be 25, getting a deal, and can still play five years or whatever, and can retire before 31 having played 10 years in the league.

"I'm one of those guys who can't look at things too negatively because it will affect me. It will affect the way I go about my work and my business. I'm one of those guys who has to talk to himself, like, 'This can happen, and this can happen. Focus on the bright side of everything and then go from there.'"

For now, Jacobs and the Raiders are continuing to focus on bouncing back from an 0-3 start. They've gone 2-1 since with the lone loss a 30-29 defeat to the AFC West-leading Kansas City Chiefs. They'll visit the New Orleans Saints this Sunday.

Bradley Chubb is among the pass-rushers who have heard their names come up in trade rumors in the past week or so, but the Denver Broncos veteran isn't sweating it.

"I'm not even thinking about that, bro," he told reporters Friday. "I'm just focused on these guys right here, orange, white and blue. Be the best leader, got the C on my chest for a reason. Captains don't let stuff get to them. They don't sweat under pressure."

"It's good to have that come up. ... It's just cool to be in a position where the interest comes in," Chubb added. "At the end of the day, I just let all that stuff be handled by the people who handle it. I just go out here and do what I can."

The 26-year-old is having an excellent season, registering 24 tackles (four for loss), 5.5 sacks, eight quarterback hits, two forced fumbles and a pass defensed in seven games.

While the 2-5 Broncos have been a disappointment, especially on offense under new quarterback Russell Wilson, Chubb has helped lead a defense that is giving up just 286 yards per game (second in the NFL) and 16.4 points per contest (third).

"Nobody has withered from it," Chubb told reporters regarding the team's poor start. "Nobody is like woe is us because we're 2-5. ... Making sure we're coming out here and prepare to win games."

But it's no surprise that teams would at least inquire about Chubb, given that he can hit free agency after the season and the Broncos find themselves staring at a major mountain to climb if they want to reach the postseason, already sitting last in the tough AFC West.

“A lot of teams” pursuing #Broncos’ Pro Bowl pass rusher Bradley Chubb, according to one GM I spoke with. “Premium player.” pic.twitter.com/vTuSucsazx

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) October 27, 2022

#Broncos Bradley Chubb is another name drawing interest. But Browning, Gregory, Patrick are hurt. I would franchise tag Chubb. But if a team offers a 2 and 3 or a 2 and a 4, they’d have to listen. #Denver7 https://t.co/xS5BQCm2o9

— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) October 24, 2022

Still, the Broncos don't sound interested in letting him go.

"You know how much we like Bradley," general manager George Paton told reporters. "We want to keep all of our core players, and Bradley is one of our core players."

Justin Simmons on Bradley Chubb:

“I’d love for him to be my teammate forever. He makes my job so much easier.”

— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) October 26, 2022

The feeling is mutual, with Chubb telling reporters he "hundred percent, hundred percent," wanted to remain with the team.

Russell Wilson's airplane workout regiment worked.

Head coach Nathaniel Hackett announced Friday that Wilson will start for the Denver Broncos on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London.

The 33-year-old missed the Week 7 loss against the New York Jets with a hamstring injury and was in danger of missing the Week 8 tilt as well.

However, Wilson took some interesting steps to ensure he might be able to play:

Russell Wilson's full quote to media after Wednesday's practice talking about his plane ride from Denver to London pic.twitter.com/CUtW3agQVA

— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) October 26, 2022

It's been a rocky year for Wilson in his first season with the Broncos.

The team is just 2-5 and the quarterback has been mediocre, throwing for 1,442 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions while completing just 58.6 percent of his passes.

It has dampened what was an exciting offseason for the Broncos after bringing Wilson aboard via trade.

However, the nine-time Pro Bowler has remained positive, at least publicly.

"As hard as it (has) been, and it hasn't been exactly what we wanted it to be, storms don't always last," he told reporters in late October. "And this one's not going to last, because we're going to work our tails off and work through it. And we're going to try to be the best we can possibly be."

The Broncos will hope that positive energy pays off Sunday. They are currently in last place in the AFC West and are tied with the Jaguars in the overall conference standings.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams has missed the last two days of practice with the flu, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

However, there's "optimism" he will be available for Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints.

Adams has appeared in all six of Las Vegas' games to begin the season, emerging as Derek Carr's top target with 37 catches for 509 yards and five touchdowns.

However, the Raiders have struggled in Adams' first season with the franchise. They enter Week 8 with a 2-4 record under first-year head coach Josh McDaniels and are third in the AFC West behind the 5-2 Kansas City Chiefs and 4-3 Los Angeles Chargers.

Adams has been durable through his nine-year NFL career. In his eight seasons with the Green Bay Packers, he missed a total of 13 games. He caught 669 passes for 8,121 yards and 73 touchdowns in 116 games in that span, earning five Pro Bowl selections and two All-Pro selections.

If the 29-year-old misses Sunday's game against the Saints, Carr will have to rely more heavily on Hunter Renfrow, Mack Hollins, Keelan Cole and DJ Turner out wide. Hollins leads the group with 19 catches for 317 yards and two touchdowns.

Tight end Darren Waller also figures to be targeted more by Carr. He has caught 16 passes for 175 yards and one touchdown this year.

The Raiders desperately need to turn things around to make the playoffs, and Adams will be a key to that potential success. His health will be of the utmost importance.