Carson Neuhausen | Sports Editor
November 7, 2024
This year’s trade deadline has proved to be just as dramatic as football fans had hoped. From star wide receivers changing teams to vital defensive upgrades, clear deadline winners and losers have been established.
Winners:
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs appeared to be on top after the deadline. First acquiring veteran wide receiver Deandre Hopkins, the Chiefs battered receiving core finally has someone Patrick Mahomes can use as a go-to man. They also have running back Kareem Hunt and All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce to fall back on if necessary.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings filled out a gaping hole in their offensive line with tackle Cam Robinson. After losing Christian Darrisaw, one of the best tackles in the league, to a season-ending knee injury,quarterback and San Clemente legend Sam Darnold was in desperate need of some protection help. This pick-up also lets all of the teams in the NFC know that the Vikings are still going to continue competing at an extremely high level despite having to battle it out in the most competitive division in the NFL.
Detroit Lions
The Lions, who are arguably the best team in the NFL right now, just filled one of their only gaps on the team. They acquired highly-rated edge rusher Za’Darius Smith to fill the spot that was left by All-Pro Aiden Hutchinson. San Clemente High School student and Lions fan Jonathon Gutowski said, “Adding Smith to the D-line will make this team super well-rounded, we might get a chance at a Super Bowl.” With this addition, the Lions feel confident they can make a deep playoff run similar to last year.
Losers:
Dallas Cowboys
With the Cowboys losing starting quarterback Dak Prescott this past week to a brutal injury and their recent failures on offense and defense, the Cowboy’s future is dim. They acquired second-year receiver Jonathan Mingo for a fourth-round pick but the question of who is going to be throwing the ball to them is a big one. Cooper Rush appears to be the man to fill that role. Junior and Cowboys fan Dylan Keiffer said, “I give up, we are bad every year, this year just hurts more than usual.” With inexperienced quarterback Cooper Rush taking over the reins, Cowboys fans don’t have much to look forward to this season.
Cleveland Browns
Amidst another failed season, the Browns are making the right decision by trading away wide receiver Amari Cooper and the aforementioned Smith for draft picks. With quarterback Deshaun Watson on IR with a torn Achilles tendon and an abysmal 2-6 record, this season has been declared a failure. The good news for Browns fans is that they will have a first-round draft pick for the first time since trading for Deshaun Watson in 2022.
New Orleans Saints
After a promising 2-0 start to the season, the Saints have lost seven games in a row, hitting an all-time low. After losing to the Carolina Panthers last week, the apparent worst team in the league, and firing Defensive Head Coach Dennis Allen, there is almost no hope for Saints fans. They traded away star corner Marshawn Lattimore for draft picks with the intent to rebuild next season.
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