NFL: Ravens in Crisis, Titans in Free Fall, QB on the Move?

Deep Dive into the NFL: Rumors, Concerns, and Future

One month before the start of the NFL season, Alofoke Deportes brings you an exhaustive analysis of the most relevant news and rumors shaking the league. Our experts have been in contact with key sources to offer you the most up-to-date information and the juiciest details ahead of the October action. One of the hottest topics of the week is the situation of the Ravens, who have had a 1-3 start to the season. We analyze the concern in Baltimore and how the team is handling the situation. We also delve into the Titans’ 0-4 start and its possible long-term consequences. In addition, we keep you up to date on the latest developments on the quarterback front, as the November 4 trade deadline approaches. But that’s not all. We also examine the rookies who have earned more playing time and analyze the most important questions heading into Week 5. Get ready to discover everything you need to know.

• Potential Titans Changes
• The Ravens’ Panic Meter
• Rising Rookies
• Will a Quarterback Be Traded?
• More Week 5 Notes

Titans in Crisis: What Changes are Expected?

Faced with the Titans’ 0-4 start, the pressure is mounting. Rumors suggest that the patience of the management and owners could be coming to an end. The atmosphere in the team is not the best. The management had placed their trust in head coach Brian Callahan, who was highly regarded in the coaching circuit in 2024. Although a win-loss target was not set for his tenure, the team was expected to show improvement. However, this has not happened in Tennessee, where the point differential of -69 is the worst in the league. The lack of fluidity in the game from week to week only intensifies the discomfort. Callahan ceded play-calling responsibilities to assistant Bo Hardegree, which could buy the staff some time, but firing him a week later would be counterproductive. The Titans’ bye week is in Week 10, which seems significant. But the expectation among some in the league is that the temperature is rising, especially with owner Amy Adams Strunk’s willingness to make drastic changes in recent years. Starting 0-4 with a rookie quarterback is one thing, but being as uncompetitive as the Titans have been is another. After a Week 1 loss to the Broncos, things have been getting worse each week. Sunday’s loss to Houston was a disaster, and being shut out a week after changing offensive coordinators doesn’t say much about their chances of fixing this on the fly. Callahan was Tennessee’s first choice as head coach after the 2023 season, and the franchise entered this season believing he was the one to guide Ward’s transition to the league. But there have been warning signs, including some game management situations and some post-game press conferences in which Callahan seemed unaware of some of the rules governing replay challenges, etc. If the Titans can win a couple of games, I’m sure they’ll give him time, but that’s a big “if” right now, and Callahan hasn’t helped himself with some of his mistakes. This could be a good job. Cam Ward has great potential, but needs an injection of talent to catch passes. A couple of drafts can fix that. The offensive line hasn’t come together despite significant investments. But offensive tackles JC Latham and Peter Skoronski are players to build on. The defense has kept afloat at times. The president of football operations, Chad Brinker, and general manager Mike Borgonzi come from well-established and methodical personnel trees, the Packers and the Chiefs, respectively. That should lead to patience in building through the draft… which I once thought would help Callahan’s case, but now I’m not so sure. As you mentioned, the game management issues in multiple games this season haven’t helped his cause. Working for people who never hired you is not a comfortable feeling. And your point about the offensive line is fundamental, because the offensive line coach is Callahan’s father, Bill Callahan, considered one of the best at that job. I think Bill wouldn’t stay if Brian were fired, so there’s talk of a major change in critical areas. It could seem silly in a couple of weeks (or days, who knows?), but if I make a prediction, I lean towards the Titans giving Callahan the rest of the year before making a decision.

How Much Panic Is There in Baltimore?

The situation in Baltimore is delicate, but the level of panic is moderate. The defense has not found answers, and with several key injuries, the situation could worsen. Lamar Jackson’s hamstring injury adds an element of uncertainty. If Jackson misses a lot of time, the season could go downhill quickly. The running game has done nothing since the first game of the season against Buffalo. There are many problems for a team that was a strong Super Bowl contender before the season. The panic outside the team, among fans and those who analyze objectively, is much greater. However, the Ravens trust in the strength and stability of coach John Harbaugh, general manager Eric DeCosta, and their internal leadership structure to solve problems and overcome difficult moments. They are sure to be looking for answers, internally and externally. It’s important to remember that Jackson has a .717 winning percentage as a starter. Assuming Jackson doesn’t miss much time, the Ravens have a path to a playoff spot. The three losses have been against elite teams with championship aspirations. The offense is still trying to find its rhythm with personnel groupings, when to play with big people for the running game (like two or three tight ends) versus playing through receivers and the passing game more often. There is enough talent on offense for it to work regardless. But this defense is light years away from the once proud unit that fueled runs to the Super Bowl. It is currently serving as a confidence builder for struggling offenses to get going. And losing Madubuike during the year is a devastating blow. Defeats against the Bills, Lions, and Chiefs could be important for playoff qualification. At 1-3, Baltimore is probably hoping to have that problem, but assuming the Ravens come back from this and make the run we all expected, these early-season defeats could put them at a disadvantage when it comes to playoff qualification. The Ravens’ schedule will soften. Only one of their next seven opponents has a winning record. The AFC North is winnable. But it seems they will have to win shootouts. On defense, the Ravens need more from pass rusher Odafe Oweh, and cornerback Jaire Alexander, who hasn’t played since Week 1. Otherwise, my Super Bowl pick before the season looks bleak. Harbaugh made an unconventional defensive coordinator hiring in Zach Orr, a former Ravens linebacker who quickly rose through the ranks, in February 2024 to replace Mike Macdonald. Orr was able to help stabilize a struggling Ravens defense at the end of last season, but this is two consecutive years of subpar results for long periods.

Featured Rookies: Who Deserves More Playtime?

Several rookies have impressed and could be on their way to getting more playing time. Giants running back Cam Skattebo is proving to be a valuable option on the field, especially with the injury to Tyrone Tracy Jr. His ability to break tackles and add extra yards will be crucial for New York’s passing offense. Another offensive player on the rise is Seahawks receiver Tory Horton, who is making the most of his limited role. He averages just under 27 plays, but has six receptions on 10 targets for 74 yards and two touchdowns, including an impressive over-the-shoulder catch in the end zone in Week 3. Horton is giving the Seahawks something to think about after producing three total touchdowns (including a 95-yard kickoff return). It seems that general manager John Schneider got a fifth-round gem.

Woody Marks looks like a more exciting runner than Nick Chubb in Houston, where the Texans are looking for any answer they can find on offense. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Marks run a bit more. Chiefs rookie running back Brashard Smith has seen more offensive involvement in recent weeks and I’m told to expect that to continue. Harold Fannin Jr., has also earned a spot in the receiving rotation in Cleveland, even with David Njoku ahead of him on the Browns’ tight end depth chart. The Browns love to use Fannin in many different roles, and I think that usage will only expand. Cleveland is very excited about Fannin’s future, and that of running backs Quinshon Judkins and wide receiver Isaiah Bond. On defense, Panthers’ running back Nic Scourton has made a quick impression. The Panthers wanted to use more young players on defense after a slow start, and Scourton, a second-round pick in April, has played 100 plays in the last two weeks, producing a pass deflection and several quarterback pressures. He has a great motor, plays with power, and has a nifty spin move in his arsenal. The youth movement is underway for Carolina, who is also giving extended plays to third-round running back Princely Umanmielen. The running back Ashton Gillotte is a player who really excites the Chiefs. He participated in a field goal attempt in the Week 3 victory over the Giants and has seen his play count increase each week as the team continues to rely more on him. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Kansas City continue to use Gillotte more as the season progresses, as they increasingly rely on their defense while the offense gets going.

Will There Be a Quarterback Trade Before the Deadline?

There will likely be a quarterback trade before the deadline. It could be someone like Carson Wentz or Kenny Pickett, but the question is whether it could be someone like Kirk Cousins or Russell Wilson. Wilson doesn’t seem to have a real role in New York, where rookie Jaxson Dart is now the starter and Jameis Winston is signed until 2026 to be his backup. Wilson’s trade value is also probably very low at the moment, so the Giants could wait until someone gets desperate to send him away. The situation of Cousins in Atlanta, as a veteran backup to Michael Penix Jr., is something that has been frequently discussed. He could be traded, but Atlanta isn’t desperate to trade him and is still asking for a relatively high price. The Falcons believe he has value as a reliable backup in case something happens to Penix. And having been on the sidelines for Sunday’s game against Washington, I can tell you that Cousins is one of the prominent voices in Penix’s ear between possessions. He has been helpful in Penix’s development and, along with offensive coordinator Zac Robinson and quarterbacks coach D.J. Williams, is an extra set of helpful eyes and ears that benefits Penix.

Do I think a quarterback will be changed? Yes. A quarterback with a marquee name, I’m not so sure. Wilson would be the most sensible candidate. Cleveland had some interest in Wilson before he signed with the Giants, and his base salary of $2 million makes him very negotiable. But it’s uncertain where Cleveland will be from the point of view of building the squad in three or four weeks. Wilson would be a low-cost play if the Browns are not satisfied with Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders. And Cleveland explored Cousins’ situation before signing Joe Flacco, trading Pickett and selecting two passers.

Outside of that, there isn’t a clear need for the teams unless there’s an injury. An interesting option is Anthony Richardson Sr., who is stuck behind Daniel Jones in Indianapolis. My feeling is that Richardson would be willing to join an excellent play caller like Sean McVay as a developing player so he can reset for 2026. Acquiring a starting quarterback at the trade deadline is difficult, because in most cases it’s a guy who has to learn a new offense on the fly. By the time he gets up to speed, it could be too late for him to save the season. That’s why someone like Richardson, whom teams could see for long-term development, makes more sense. But there are situations that arise where a team with high hopes finds itself with a sudden need and might be willing to take the risks involved in bringing someone in from outside their system, right? The needs of quarterbacks can change rapidly, especially after what the Bengals just demonstrated on Monday night. One must wonder if Cincinnati is evaluating quarterback options if the downward spiral deepens. After the lifeless outing on Monday night, Cincinnati has now gained less than 200 offensive yards in three of their first four games. The last team to do that was the 2009 Raiders, who featured a combination of JaMarcus Russell, Bruce Gradkowski, and Charlie Frye at quarterback. The Bengals still believe in Jake Browning, but Cincinnati has too much talent at the skill positions to accept the status quo. At some point, they might need reinforcements at the most important position in the game. It might be worth calling the recently retired Derek Carr to see how his shoulder injury is healing.

More News of the Week

Tyreek Hill’s contract with the Dolphins is structured in such a way that he could actually benefit from being released before the end of the season. Hill is due $36 million for 2026, none of which is guaranteed, not even against injury. If Hill is still on the roster as of 4 p.m. ET on the third day of the 2026 league year (March 13, 2026), then $11 million of his 2026 salary becomes fully guaranteed and his $5 million roster bonus vests. Therefore, the Dolphins will most likely release Hill before March 13 to avoid owing him $16 million next year, unless the two sides agree to redo the contract before then. Hill’s compensation for 2025, the combination of salary and bonuses, amounts to $25.85 million, and all of that is guaranteed; he will get every last penny. But Hill’s contract for 2025 also includes $1.8 million in active roster bonuses per game: $105,882.36 for each game for which he is a member of the 48-man active roster. That money is conditionally guaranteed, meaning that if the team releases him, he will get the full $1.8 million. But the way the conditional guarantee works is that if he is on the 53-man roster but is not active on game day, he does not get the $105,882.36 for that week.

The Dolphins have played four games, and Hill was active in all four, so he has already pocketed $423,529.44. If the Dolphins cut him this week, he would get the remaining $1,376,470.56. But if they keep him on the roster for the rest of the season and he is not active on game days, he will not get any of that $1,376,470.56. So, as strange as it may seem, Hill would earn more money if the Dolphins released him before the end of the season than if they waited until March to cut him. After covering the Washington game in Atlanta last Sunday and speaking with people from the Commanders, I came to the conclusion that quarterback Jayden Daniels has a good chance of being activated and playing this week in Los Angeles against the Chargers. Daniels (knee) participated in limited practices last week after not practicing at all the previous week, and from what I was told, he was close to being cleared to play in Atlanta. The team doctors decided on Friday that it was best to hold him out. Keep an eye on whether he registers any full practices this week, which would be a strong indication that he is fit to play on Sunday. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin seemed like he might need another week or two to recover from his quadriceps injury, but the Commanders will know more as the practice week progresses. With McLaurin out, the Commanders leaned heavily on Deebo Samuel in Week 4, which is not a surprise. What might have been a surprise, however, was the extent to which they used Samuel as a wide receiver on the outside, rather than just in the slot or in the backfield as they usually do. What makes them feel more comfortable doing so is what they’ve seen from fourth-round rookie wide receiver Jaylin Lane in the slot. So Washington used him a bit there and moved Samuel around more than usual. Once McLaurin and Noah Brown (groin) are back, I would expect Samuel’s usage to return to the original plan. One more note from the Commanders, for fantasy managers wondering about the running backs: they are very happy at the moment to use a committee with Chris Rodriguez Jr., Jeremy McNichols