NFL Rumors: The Cleveland Elves revolt against Bengals wideout Ja'Marr Chase
Ja'Marr Chase and the Bengals lost to a bunch of elves in Week 1, and suffice to say, those elves were not happy about that.
The Browns pummeled the Bengals in their season-opener, holding the entire Bengals offense to just three points. It was the perfect way for Cleveland to clap back at Chase, who mocked the Browns franchise prior to the game; Chase had called the Browns by their little-known mascot, Brownie the Elf, and made the "elves" thing a whole bit.
Chase was upset after the Bengals loss and lamented that he and his team just lost to some "elves."
Well, the elves heard him, and they have something to say:
It's a tough time to be an elf. It didn't help the Browns' reputation when they painted a giant elf on their home field, nor did it help their reputation when they traded for Deshaun Watson.
Regardless, the Browns outplayed the Bengals in Week 1 and could put together a surprisingly successful season in 2023. Might as well own their nickname -- they're stuck with it forever.
NFL Rumors: Cam Akers addresses 'confusing' trade situation with Rams
One week into Cam Akers' 2023 season, he's already enveloped in rampant trade rumors.
Ahead of the Sunday afternoon slate of games, Fox Sports' Jay Glazer reported that the Rams running back is expected to be inactive for Week 2's game against the 49ers. Akers is apparently a healthy scratch and is going to be deactivated due to the coaches' decision.
This could mean the Rams don't see value in holding onto Akers -- for reasons unspecified -- and are actively looking to trade him. Glazer believes this to be the case, and per his sources, the Rams have already started contacting other teams to work toward a mutually beneficial trade.
Is it beneficial for Akers, though? The Rams running back, known for his miraculous recovery from a torn Achilles, posted on social media that he was "just as confused as everybody else," likely referring to his current state of limbo in L.A.
This all will sound very familiar with those following Akers last year. In 2022, Akers requested a trade because he was dissatisfied with his role in the offense. He ended up spending a few weeks away from the team, wasn't traded ahead of the NFL trade deadline, and stayed with the team to close out the season.
Akers has had a very up-and-down four-year career with the Rams and may be looking for a fresh start, yet he also appears confused as to why his team is deciding to offload him now.
Kyren Williams is the next back up to absorb Akers snaps, and Williams just enjoyed a fine Week 1 outing with two touchdowns against the Seahawks.
Maybe teams interested in Jonathan Taylor pivot to Akers now? The Dolphins, Packers, and a few other teams may be ready to pounce.
NFL Rumors: Patriots are a dark horse to land Kirk Cousins in 2023
Everyone knows the Jets are one of the most QB-needy teams in the league right now. But their AFC East neighbor, the New England Patriots, could also sneakily poach a quarterback to go on a deep playoff run.
Cousins upped his stock in the Vikings' recent loss to the Eagles, throwing for 364 passing yards and four touchdowns. With his future in Minnesota extremely hazy, the 35-year-old could become a valuable trade chip for the 0-2 Vikings; the NFL trade deadline is still quite far away, but the harder the Vikings fall, the more likely they will put some of their coveted roster pieces for sale.
An aging quarterback like Kirk Cousins won't get the Vikings an amazing return, yet something may be better than nothing. The Patriots don't have a concrete quarterback room with Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe. Their elite defense arguably makes them one quarterback away from a playoff-caliber team. If Cousins does end up getting shopped, the Patriots make sense as a potential destination.
We don't see Bill Belichick making this risky move in the coming weeks. Still, it may be a storyline to keep an eye on throughout the season.