Entering Week 9 with a 2-6 record, analysts around the league wonder how New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis will approach the trade deadline. While the team’s record suggests they’re not good enough to contend, the Saints do not believe in rebuilding. Additionally, injuries decimated this team and were the primary catalyst for their six-game losing streak. With quarterback Derek Carr returning to the lineup and replacing fifth-round pick Spencer Rattler, the Saints could try to make a run at the final Wild Card spot or the top of the relatively weak NFC South.
Speaking to reporters, Mickey Loomis acknowledged he’s already received trade calls but didn’t receive any appealing offers. While there doesn’t appear to be an imminent trade on the horizon, Loomis’ language suggests he is open to dealing someone like edge defender Chase Young if the right offer comes along. Depending on what happens in Week 9, don’t be surprised if Loomis pulls the trigger and sends the former second-overall pick to a needy team like the Detroit Lions or Kansas City Chiefs.
“When you’re in a losing streak, you’re calling those teams looking to see if they’re sellers, right, and so we’ll get a number of calls and we’ll respond accordingly. I’m not really one who thinks that trading away half your roster makes a lot of sense at this point for, generally, what I think are undervalued offers.”
Mickey Loomis Won’t Rule Out Trade Deadline Moves – Chase Young Possibly Gone
The Detroit Lions are one of the NFL’s best teams and are closer than ever to hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. Thanks to head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes, the longtime losers now boast a roster with the talent and experience required to win it all and bring a championship to Motor City. However, their odds of breaking their championship drought took a hit when star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson suffered a season-ending injury.
The former second-overall pick has dominated since entering the league and was in the midst of the best season of his career. Only two or three players across the NFL can match his production, and Chase Young is not one of them. However, the former first-round pick can provide some much-needed talent on the edge, as depth was an issue even before Hutchinson went down. If Mickey Loomis is waiting for someone to make a desperation trade offer, the Lions seem like the most likely bet.
More Pass Rushing Reinforcements
The Kansas City Chiefs already traded for Josh Uche, but that shouldn’t stop them from calling Mickey Loomis. Defensive tackle Chris Jones is the only game-changing talent along the defensive line, as edge defender George Karlaftis is a solid yet unspectacular pass rusher while Uche and Mike Danna are nothing more than situational depth players. While Charles Omenihu is working his way back, he might not be himself after his season-ending knee injury. With no star edge rushers, Kansas City could take a page out of Baltimore’s playbook and win with an army of good-but-not-great players complementing a superstar defensive tackle.
While Chase Young remains the most likely trade target, he’s not the only player Mickey Loomis could deal. 2023 third-round pick Kendre Miller has been a major disappointment and is on bad terms with head coach Dennis Allen. With lead running back Alvin Kamara locked up for the next two seasons, New Orleans could trade Miller to a team like the Chiefs. Kansas City could use another running back while Isiah Pacheco returns to health, and Miller shouldn’t cost anything more than a late-round pick.
Main Photo: Stephen Lew – USA Today Sports
