Nobody really expected the Denver Broncos to be in the position they currently find themselves in, heading into a Week 8 matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars at 2-5 and facing the potential of being sellers at the NFL trade deadline. As a matter of fact, there are now reports out there that the Broncos would almost definitely trade even a player like Bradley Chubb if the team loses in Jacksonville.
Would George Paton really make a move like this? There are reasons he could justify it, to be sure, but it could also have a major effect on the Denver Broncos locker room. Last year’s trade of Von Miller was confirmation that the Broncos were resetting. A trade of Chubb could send a similar message especially since he’s been one of the best players on one of the best defensive units in the league.
If the Broncos are going to trade Chubb, however, here are some ideas of teams and potential trade packages the Broncos could get in return.
4 trade destinations for Bradley Chubb if Broncos lose to Jaguars
1. Arizona Cardinals (Vance Joseph connection)
Back in 2018, which now feels like a lifetime ago, the Denver Broncos used the 5th overall pick on Bradley Chubb. At the time, Vance Joseph was the team’s head coach. Chubb had a tremendous season under Joseph in 2018, nearly breaking the NFL’s rookie sack record. Now, Joseph is the defensive coordinator in Arizona where general manager Steve Keim seemingly never saw a trade he didn’t like.
The Cardinals let Chandler Jones walk in free agency in 2022 and he signed with the Raiders. They went after a couple of pass rushers in the 2022 NFL Draft, but not until Day 2. The Cardinals could use a boost off the edge, there’s no question about it, and Chubb could provide it.
This may seem shocking based on the number of trades they do every year, but the Cardinals still have their own picks in each of the top three rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft. They could easily send the Broncos the reported value of a 2nd and 3rd-round pick, or if the Broncos wanted more than that, the Cardinals might just be desperate enough to do it.
Bradley Chubb trade destination no. 2: Los Angeles Rams
We all know the Rams’ philosophy when it comes to the NFL Draft. Les Snead wore a t-shirt himself that said “F*** them picks” and sent a message that he obviously cares more about winning games than he does having any sort of involvement when it comes to the annual college selection process. The Rams won the Super Bowl last year with that philosophy, so you’ve got to at least tip your cap to them in that way.
They made a blockbuster trade with the Broncos at last year’s NFL trade deadline, why wouldn’t they do it again in 2022? The Rams — shockingly — actually do have their second and third-round picks in the 2023 NFL Draft. That’s what they sent the Broncos last year for Von Miller, and that’s what they could send the Broncos again in 2022 in order to get Bradley Chubb.
Chubb may not have the same kind of weekly impact as Von Miller, but he’s certainly the type of player that could thrive on the same defensive line as a player like Aaron Donald. What top-tier edge player wouldn’t?
The added bonus for the Rams here, and perhaps the leverage for the Broncos to get even more than their asking price in a deal with Los Angeles, is the fact that Chubb is playing in Ejiro Evero’s defense, which obviously is going to have very similar terminology to what the Rams are running. Evero came to Denver from the Rams this offseason and has been arguably the one coach doing an outstanding job every single week for this Broncos team.
3. Philadelphia Eagles
As of right now, the Philadelphia Eagles are the only unbeaten team in the NFL. The NFC East has shockingly been the most competitive and, dare I say exciting division in football this season.
All four teams have at least three wins so far this year. Three out of the four teams have five or more wins.
- Philadelphia Eagles: 6-0
- New York Giants: 6-1
- Dallas Cowboys: 5-2
- Washington Commanders: 3-4
The NFC East is going to be an absolute slugfest all year long, so these teams are going to need to get any advantage they can. The common theme of the top three teams on this list so far? General managers that absolutely love to wheel and deal. That certainly would be fitting in describing Eagles general manager Howie Roseman, who has seemingly pulled all the right strings and could be the NFL’s GM of the year in 2022.
Adding another dynamic edge player like Bradley Chubb to the mix when you have Haason Reddick, Josh Sweat, Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham…the Eagles could be even more dangerous, and they already rank 4th in the league in points allowed per game this season.
The Eagles have two first-round picks this year, one that’s looking like it could be a top-10 pick coming from the Saints. Would they try and tempt the Broncos by giving them a first-rounder for Chubb?
4. Miami Dolphins
Just like the NFC East, the AFC East has been extremely tough throughout the first half of the 2022 NFL season.
- Buffalo Bills: 5-1
- New York Jets: 5-2
- Miami Dolphins: 4-3
- New England Patriots: 3-4
Although the Buffalo Bills are expected to pull away over the course of the regular season, the Miami Dolphins have been tough so far this year offensively and defensively, and could be in position to make a bold move for a player like Bradley Chubb if they win their final game before the NFL trade deadline (in Detroit on Sunday).
The Dolphins had a first-round pick taken away due to their apparent involvement with Tom Brady, but they still have a first-round pick courtesy of the San Francisco 49ers, and they have an extra pick in round three courtesy of their division rivals in New England thanks to the DeVante Parker trade.
The Dolphins have four picks in the top three rounds despite making the trade they did this year for Tyreek Hill, but this team obviously made that deal with the intention of competing right now. They don’t want to wait any longer to contend, and adding a player like Bradley Chubb to play opposite Jaelan Phillips could really help push this team firmly into the playoff picture.
Broncos could get blockbuster trade package for Bradley Chubb
The Denver Broncos could end up getting a big trade haul for Bradley Chubb before the NFL trade deadline. The question is, will they take the best offer?
The Dolphins may not be willing to give the Broncos the first-round pick they’ve got coming from San Francisco, but they would almost certainly be willing to give a second and third and meet the reported asking price.