Buccaneers might have a perfect trade target hiding on the Raiders bench
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers might be off to a 6-2 start and look like they're a contender in the NFC but there's always room for improvement, right? When it comes to the Bucs' roster, their offensive line has been a sore spot due to injuries and inconsistencies and that's where Jason Licht should try to home in on ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline.
Not many teams are going to be willing to part ways with their offensive linemen due to how hard it is to build up that unit. This obviously makes it trickier for Jason Licht to work his magic but there is one candidate that could make a lot of sense to target.
Jackson Powers-Johnson appears to be on the outs with the Raiders and the versatile offensive lineman could be the home run trade candidate the Bucs have desperately been searching for when it comes to their o-line woes. The Raiders drafted Powers-Johnson in the second round just last year but he's not clicking with Las Vegas' new regime, which could make him a trade candidate before Tuesday's deadline.
Jackson Powers-Johnson could be perfect trade candidate for Buccaneers
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report included JPJ on his list of trade candidates entering Week 9, pointing out that the Raiders' current brass doesn't seem to like the o-lineman. Knox also mentioned how Powers-Johnson had to earn his starting spot in the offseason and then was benched during the Raiders' Week 7 blowout loss to the Chiefs.
These are all reasons that line up for a potential trade and the Bucs would love to have JPJ if the Raiders are willing to give him away. The biggest upside with Powers-Johnson is that he's a versatile player, having spent time at left guard and center during his rookie season in 2024 and faring well in both spots.
The Raiders moved JPJ to right guard in the offseason and while his second year in the league isn't going as swimmingly as his rookie year, he's still shown enough potential that he'd be worth sending a Day 3 pick for. PFF's overall grade for Powers-Johnson through the Raiders' first seven games is 63.7, good for the 31st best guard in the league out of an eligible 82 guards. That's nothing to scoff at.
Considering the Bucs have been working with Ben Bredeson, Graham Barton, and Luke Haggard as their left guard, center, and right guard respectively, improvements could certainly be made at those positions. JPJ might not be balling out in his sophomore NFL season but the potential is there and this could be a trade that might not pay off immediately but does in the long run.
It's worth picking up the phone and calling the Raiders for. Maybe they're not willing to part with their former second-round pick but if this current brass, which includes former Bucs John Spytek and Tom Brady, don't see a future with Powers-Johnson, trading him could make sense and Tampa would love to have him.
Andy Reid Takes Responsibility for Chiefs’ Loss to Bills: ‘We Didn’t Execute, and That’s on Me’
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has always been a leader who takes responsibility for his team’s performance, and after their tough loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 9, Reid didn’t shy away from owning up to his part in the defeat. Despite the Chiefs’ strong roster and a solid start to the season, the game was marked by missed opportunities and lapses in execution that ultimately cost them the win.
“We didn’t execute, and that’s on me,” Reid said following the game. “As a coach, I need to get this team in the right place mentally and physically. We gave up opportunities, and when you do that against a team like the Bills, they’ll make you pay. We’ll own it, and we’ll move forward.”
The loss was especially disappointing for the Chiefs, who have been playing at a high level this season. However, Reid’s candid admission speaks to his leadership style and the culture he’s worked to build in Kansas City. While many coaches might point fingers or deflect blame, Reid is quick to acknowledge when things don’t go according to plan. His focus is not on the disappointment of the moment but on ensuring that the team learns from the mistakes and gets better moving forward.
Throughout the game, the Chiefs had chances to gain control but were thwarted by a combination of missed plays and penalties. The Bills, a team known for their explosive offense and aggressive defense, capitalized on every mistake and took advantage of the Chiefs’ struggles. It was a game that could have gone either way, but it was the Bills who emerged victorious, in large part due to the Chiefs’ inability to execute under pressure.
“Against a team like the Bills, you can’t afford to miss those opportunities,” Reid continued. “We know they’re capable of making plays, and when we gave them those chances, they took advantage. That’s something we have to fix.”
Despite the defeat, Reid’s attitude remains positive and focused on the long-term goal. The Chiefs have been one of the most consistent teams in the NFL over the past few years, and Reid believes that the loss to the Bills is just a minor setback in the grand scheme of things. He’s confident that with the right adjustments, the team can bounce back and continue their quest for a championship.
“We’ll own this one, but we won’t dwell on it,” Reid explained. “We’ve got a resilient group of players, and I know they’ll learn from this. We’ve got another game next week, and that’s where our focus needs to be. We’ll be ready.”
As the season progresses, the Chiefs will need to address their execution issues if they hope to compete with the top teams in the AFC. Reid’s leadership will be crucial in ensuring that the team bounces back from this loss and remains a contender in the playoff race. With a quarterback like Patrick Mahomes and a defense capable of making big plays, the Chiefs have the talent to rebound quickly.
The loss to the Bills was a wake-up call for the Chiefs, but with Andy Reid at the helm, there’s little doubt that they will come out stronger and more prepared for the challenges ahead.
