7 blockbuster trades we want to see this NFL offseason

The NFL has caught trade fever in recent years. It used to be rare for teams to ship off star players in their prime, but massive names are on the move seemingly every offseason of late.

Now, remember these are deals we want to see - not necessarily the most realistic trades that could happen.

Before you call these proposals impossible, here's a quick list of the top players who've been traded over the last few years: Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Matthew Stafford, Tyreek Hill, Davante Adams, A.J. Brown, Christian McCaffrey, Roquan Smith, and Khalil Mack.

Anything can happen in the NFL in 2024. Let's have some fun.

Davante Adams ➡️ Jets

A second blockbuster move for Adams should only end in one destination. New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers has reportedly already put a reunion with his former Green Bay Packers teammate atop his wishlist for 2024. While the Las Vegas Raiders apparently said they aren't interested in moving the star pass-catcher, believing they can make a playoff run in 2024, the team's resolve might not hold up if Adams asks to be traded. He's 31 years old and might not be willing to roll the dice on the Raiders being competitive within the next year or two.

The Jets will also likely be relentless in their pursuit after treading water for a year following Rodgers' early season-ending Achilles injury. The AFC East club knows it might have just one year of Rodgers left and therefore has to do everything in its power to provide him with as talented a supporting cast as possible. Adams is still an elite wideout, producing 1,144 yards and eight touchdowns in 2023 despite the Raiders' poor quarterback play. Pairing the All-Pro with Garrett Wilson would give Rodgers a top-five receiver duo to ease his return. The 40-year-old is the last of the old guard of quarterbacks. Who doesn't want to see him go out throwing bombs to Adams again?

Justin Fields ➡️ Steelers

The Bears will likely keep the No. 1 pick unless another team blows them away with a historic offer, which means a new quarterback in Chicago - most likely USC star Caleb Williams - and an exit for Fields. With Kirk Cousins and Baker Mayfield the only viable veteran free-agent options for teams seeking a starter, Fields' market should be robust. The Pittsburgh Steelers feel like a natural fit, even if acquiring the 24-year-old undeniably comes with significant risk.

While he's showcased elite running skills, Fields' passing abilities are still developing. Though Pittsburgh hasn't hit the heights of the early years of the Mike Tomlin era recently, it's still one of the NFL's best models of consistency and possesses a strong locker room. For some reason, the Steelers are still backing Kenny Pickett's chances of developing into a franchise player despite keeping him on the bench for Mason Rudolph. For the sake of Steelers fans everywhere, we'll bet they're blowing smoke and know they need a shot in the arm. For all his flaws, Fields could be just that.

Stefon Diggs ➡️ Panthers

Let's be honest: Bryce Young's rookie season was an absolute disaster. Canning Frank Reich and hiring Dave Canales is a good start, but the Panthers have to go all-out to help the 2023 first overall pick. Teams don't have to be tied to bad quarterbacks for as long as they used to be thanks to the rookie wage scale, but with Carolina also forfeiting the top pick in the 2024 draft as part of the trade to get Young, the team has to give him every possible chance to succeed.

That brings us to Diggs, who was surrounded by questions about his future with the Buffalo Bills all season amid rumors of discontent. Diggs is still a great receiver, and the Bills will likely run it back under the belief that a Super Bowl is within reach. But his role diminished in 2023, with zero 100-yard games from Week 7 after five in the first six weeks. Diggs' contract is admittedly a big hurdle. But facing a tough cap situation, Buffalo could save $19 million by trading him after June 1 while also being able to focus on bringing in younger weapons for Josh Allen. Meanwhile, the Panthers can properly evaluate Young by giving him a proven wideout rather than relying on hitting on a rookie. It could be a win-win.

Geno Smith ➡️ Falcons

Smith's future with the Seattle Seahawks was already somewhat of a question mark after an uneven 2023 campaign. Trade speculation then ramped up after they let Smith's base salary become guaranteed, and ESPN's Adam Schefter suggested that other teams may find value in trading for the quarterback.

The Seahawks already kick-started a new era by pushing Pete Carroll upstairs and hiring Mike Macdonald. While Smith is a safe pair of hands, Seattle could want to get younger at the game's most important position.

In this scenario, the Atlanta Falcons miss out on trading for Fields or signing Cousins or Mayfield. With the eighth overall pick in the draft, they're also unlikely to get one of the top three quarterbacks available. Atlanta needs a long-term answer under center, but it also needs a competitive season after three straight anonymous years. Smith isn't an elite passer, but he can lead a top-10 offense when surrounded by playmakers - which Atlanta has in spades - while buying time for the new regime to find a franchise quarterback.

Brandon Aiyuk ➡️ Colts

Aiyuk is due a massive contract extension after racking up a career-high 1,342 yards in 2023. While the San Francisco 49ers said they want to keep him, warning signs for a potential breakup have already surfaced. Aiyuk, his girlfriend, and his close friend all made cryptic social media posts following the Super Bowl loss. Aiyuk didn't do much to quash those rumors when asked if he hopes to re-sign in San Francisco, saying he will "if that's the right move." The NFC champions are also already paying elite money to their large group of star players. At some point, San Francisco will have to make some tough calls.

If Aiyuk were to become available, the Indianapolis Colts should be the first team to call. The Colts are convinced Anthony Richardson is a future star despite the quarterback playing only four games in his first year, which means they should go on the attack to surround him with top talent while he's on his rookie contract. Paying both Michael Pittman Jr., who's a free agent, and Aiyuk might be a little too rich for the usually conservative Colts. But with $66 million in cap space and a desire to build on the momentum from a surprisingly successful 2023 campaign, Indy should take a big swing.

Haason Reddick ➡️ Lions

The Detroit Lions' lack of consistent pass rush was one reason they fell agonizingly short of a Super Bowl appearance in 2023. Aidan Hutchinson is a stud, but he also had 78 more pressures than any of his teammates. Detroit needs to ease the burden on him by landing another established edge player who will command the respect of opposing offenses.

While Reddick says he wants to remain in Philadephia, the Eagles reportedly permitting him to seek out a new home likely means they're intent on moving on from him. The pass-rusher is still a Pro Bowl-level player despite his sack total dropping from 16 in 2022 to 11 in 2023. Reddick, who turns 30 in September, could be a perfect complement to Hutchinson in Detroit. While many big-name edge free agents are set to hit the market, trading for Reddick guarantees Detroit isn't left with another weak pass rush as it attempts to go one step further in 2024.

Justin Simmons ➡️ Packers

The Packers' timeline to return to Super Bowl contention accelerated when Jordan Love showed off top-five quarterback abilities in his first year as a starter. Green Bay will reportedly give Love a big-money extension this offseason, so it can't be as aggressive as some teams have been with young quarterbacks on rookie deals. Still, the Packers can seek out proven talent to complement their super-youthful roster, and Simmons would be a great fit.

The Denver Broncos need a rebuild. While Simmons is a four-time second-team All-Pro, he's now on the wrong side of 30 and will unlikely still be playing at an elite level by the time the Broncos are ready to contend again. With his value only set to drop, Denver should gain back some valuable assets lost in the Russell Wilson trade. On the other side of the deal, Simmons would easily fill the Packers' biggest need while also being an ideal fit for the scheme of new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, who leaned heavily on single-high looks at Boston College.