NFL Week 8 newest buzz, questions, information and fantasy suggestions

Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season is right here, and insiders Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano have been making calls to sources across the league for the newest information and buzz on key conditions.

This week, they requested round about two struggling AFC East groups, the 0-7 Jets and the 1-6 Dolphins. Will there be modifications in New York, beginning at QB? And what number of veteran Dolphins could possibly be dealt elsewhere between now and the Nov. 4 commerce deadline if the struggles proceed?

Jeremy and Dan additionally checked in on the resurgent Chiefs. Now that the offense is beginning to hum, what strikes may Kansas Metropolis make earlier than the deadline to arrange one other run to the Tremendous Bowl? In addition they took a have a look at some fascinating offseason quarterback contract conditions and the way groups would possibly navigate them.

It is all right here, as our nationwide reporters reply massive questions and empty their notebooks heading into Week 8.

Leap to:
What's subsequent for the Jets?
May the Chiefs add at deadline?
Dolphins who could possibly be dealt
Offseason QB contract conditions
Extra notes for Week 8

Issues have gotten actually dangerous for the 0-7 Jets, who appear able to bench Justin Fields. What are you listening to about their outlook?

Fowler: Modifications needs to be anticipated, however I do not consider that at present applies to teach Aaron Glenn. The Jets did an exhaustive teaching search that landed on Glenn, one of the vital sought-after candidates within the 2025 cycle. It hasn't labored so far, and he has had his share of miscues. However the Jets have remained aggressive regardless of their struggles at quarterback. 5 of their seven losses are by a mixed 19 factors, and the protection seems to be on the upswing after a sluggish begin. I am not placing the offensive struggles completely on Glenn.

On that be aware, I am right here on the house owners conferences and Jets proprietor Woody Johnson sounds achieved with the Fields experiment.

Graziano: Glenn is a minimum of contemplating sitting Fields for Tyrod Taylor, since he addressed that subject instantly at his Monday information convention. He mentioned he hadn't determined but and needed to seek the advice of different coaches who'd handled comparable conditions. One of many points is that the 36-year-old Taylor clearly is not the long-term reply for this franchise, whereas Fields theoretically could possibly be if he cleans up a few of his points. If the Jets sit him for Taylor now, they're successfully giving up on a quarterback to whom they assured $30 million within the offseason and indicating the seek for a long-term resolution will choose up once more subsequent spring. That is a troublesome technique to undergo the remainder of the season.

That is a great distance of claiming I am unsure what Glenn will resolve or, truthfully, what the proper reply is for the Jets. In the event that they hold beginning Fields and he continues to look misplaced and overwhelmed, they threat dropping the remainder of the workforce. In the event that they sit Fields, they've determined earlier than Halloween that their most consequential offseason roster determination was a bust. Personally, I do not see the purpose of going with Taylor. They're 0-7 and never making the playoffs. I would discover a technique to hold Fields viable and get to the tip of the season so you may get a full-year pattern on which to evaluate him. After all, that is simple for me to say. The losses aren't happening my file.

Fowler: I've talked to a number of NFL coaches who consider the Jets ought to have leaned closely into Fields' operating means earlier. He has rushed 42 occasions in six begins this season, averaging three designed rushes per recreation over his previous three. In Week 1, Fields had 9 designed runs, which helped the Jets to a 32-point outing. From 2022 to 2024, Fields averaged roughly 10 rushes per recreation as a full-time starter.

“That is what he is most comfy with,” an NFL assistant coach who has labored with Fields mentioned. “After which you may throw him off play-action with extra success. I do not care in case you use a high-school-style offense, however he must run.”

It is in all probability moot now. If Glenn needs to finally make a transfer, he ought to in all probability do it now. And Johnson scorching Fields publicly makes turning again to him a problem. Do not count on fireworks with Taylor at this stage, however he can a minimum of function a rhythm-and-timing passing recreation.

Graziano: Yeah, I agree together with your concept that they should use Fields as a runner extra. That was robust to do in opposition to the Broncos, who restrict opposing speeding QBs higher than any workforce, however they need to have been in a position to do it Sunday in opposition to the Panthers.

Fowler: With the commerce deadline lower than two weeks away, count on the Jets to contemplate dealing veterans to accumulate draft capital and construct for the long run. Edge rusher Jermaine Johnson, nook Michael Carter II and operating again Breece Corridor are among the many choices producing curiosity.

Graziano: I additionally agree that the Jets in all probability will likely be energetic sellers, so the group round Fields or Taylor from Nov. 5 on could possibly be a bit depleted. This all sounds very bleak, and I need to consider the Jets' entrance workplace and training employees are engaged on methods to make the second half of the season tolerable to get some actual evaluations of the roster. If they do not come out of Glenn's first yr having recognized the gamers who're and are not part of their future plan, then this actually can be a wasted season.

The Chiefs are again on observe. However may they get aggressive and add extra assist on the deadline?

Graziano: The Chiefs are virtually all the time energetic on the commerce deadline. It appears they add a receiver most years. However assuming everybody stays wholesome, they appear to love what they've at that place. I additionally do not get the sense they're determined so as to add a operating again, as has been speculated by many on the surface because the season started.

If the Chiefs add on the deadline, I count on it to be on protection — perhaps a veteran edge rusher — or presumably the offensive line. Rookie deal with Josh Simmons' state of affairs continues to be murky, and a few different linemen left Sunday's recreation in opposition to the Raiders due to harm. Nobody actually observed, because the Raiders weren't placing up a battle, but when guard Trey Smith's again harm turns into one thing that causes him to sit down out time, that might be a troublesome gap to fill for an offense that is actually beginning to click on.

Fowler: The accidents to Smith and proper deal with Jawaan Taylor appear minor, and I sense that Kansas Metropolis is comfy on offense. The Chiefs have lengthy been planning for a receiving corps of Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy and Hollywood Brown, so it is no coincidence that the trio amassed 18 of the workforce's 34 passing targets Sunday, with Rice having 10 by himself. JuJu Smith-Schuster and Tyquan Thornton are good complementary choices. Working again appears much less settled. However to your level, Dan, Isiah Pacheco is choosing up steam (108 yards on 27 carries the previous two weeks) and rookie Brashard Smith's workload is slowly growing.

However I do suppose the Chiefs may add defensive linemen. They're depleted on the inside.

Graziano: They've added defensive linemen prior to now (Melvin Ingram in 2021 a chief instance). That is the kind of transfer I may see. Since arriving in Kansas Metropolis, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has a robust observe file of getting the protection into higher form because the season progresses and having it primed to do massive issues within the postseason. So, he has earned a whole lot of belief. However including personnel up entrance is rarely a foul concept. How about the remainder of that protection?

Fowler: The Chiefs' cornerback room is one to look at coming into the deadline. Free agent addition Kristian Fulton is a wholesome scratch. May they discover a approach out of his two-year, $20 million deal? Rookie Nohl Williams is rising, and fourth-year participant Joshua Williams may have commerce worth.

Name it now: What number of Dolphins will likely be traded earlier than the deadline?

Fowler: I will say two: a move rusher and one different. The Dolphins have Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb to deal, with Phillips having essentially the most commerce worth of Miami's edge rushers. A number of personnel departments have been enamored together with his trajectory, which was derailed by harm. Miami would not seem prepared to provide the 2026 free agent an extension. It could possibly be much like Washington buying and selling Chase Younger and Montez Sweat on the deadline two years in the past.

The Dolphins are getting calls on vast receiver Jaylen Waddle however haven't got plans to commerce him at this level. That may all the time change, however with Tyreek Hill injured, Waddle is a constructing block who can translate to any offense, which helps for a workforce that seems headed for main transition. He is owed $36 million over 2025-26, which is cheap for high-end gamers at his place. Security Minkah Fitzpatrick can be on my radar. So, whereas I am not so certain a whole house-cleaning is so as, it could shock me if the Dolphins stood pat. This can be a workforce with roster considerations, and people eight 2026 draft picks will not deal with all of them.

Graziano: I agree with you about Waddle, significantly since his contract makes him a more durable to commerce. Jaylen Wright, who has slipped behind rookie Ollie Gordon II on the depth chart, is also a participant who strikes. There will likely be groups considering choosing up a operating again, with the Chargers and Texans being two groups I've heard talked about. And there are certain to be others.

Both approach, this Dolphins season has not gone the way in which anybody hoped it could and there is a whole lot of chatter about vital change, which we touched on on this house final week. In the event that they're waiting for subsequent yr as a reset/rebuild situation, they'll take heed to calls on virtually anybody. My largest query is what they will do at quarterback. Tua Tagovailoa has $54 million in assured cash coming in 2026 and appears to have regressed considerably. Can Miami rebuild round him with any diploma of confidence? Is there a glimmer of an opportunity that the Dolphins may bundle him with a draft choose and get a workforce to commerce for him?

Commerce-deadline speak is straightforward after we simply have a look at guys whose contract conditions make them expendable for a workforce going nowhere. However I would like to know what occurs in the event that they resolve to blow issues all the way in which up.

Fowler: Observers can see the place that is in all probability headed with coach Mike McDaniel barring a turnaround, however the Tagovailoa dialog is extra layered. Buying and selling that contract would not appear possible. Miami can work across the wage cap, however the assure is an albatross. No workforce needs to soak up a fraction of that as a result of they do not should (suppose Russell Wilson in Denver two years in the past). Any type of launch triggers a $54 million payout, minus offsets.

What made Tagovailoa productive — and what McDaniel helped convey out of him — was processing and decision-making. He thinks via the sport effectively and throws with anticipation. He is lacking that contact proper now, and after inserting teammates instantly underneath a teal-and-orange-colored bus in a post-Week-6 information convention, it is honest to wonder if he has misplaced the belief of the locker room, too. His teammates definitely performed Sunday's recreation as if he had.

And it wasn't way back — August 2024 — when Tagovailoa aired out Brian Flores in what felt like a payback try. So Tagovailoa is a quarterback who's regressing, has handled earlier concussion accidents and has publicly divulged what occurs behind the scenes in an NFL locker room a number of occasions. However that is the period of reclamation mission quarterbacks, and Tagovailoa has had stretches of excessive effectivity. Possibly Miami runs it again with him. What's the most suitable choice for Tagovailoa and the Dolphins transferring ahead, Dan?

Graziano: Given the contractual dedication they've made to Tagovailoa, the best choice is to get him taking part in the way in which he did when McDaniel first arrived. If the coach cannot make that occur, it stands to purpose they might search for a alternative. If that involves move, the Dolphins have main selections to make about Tagovailoa and the route of the franchise. A brand new coach in all probability would have some say within the determination on whether or not to maintain the quarterback or take the dead-money hit.

But when Tagovailoa continues to be there subsequent season and McDaniel shouldn't be, a brand new coach can be tasked with discovering a technique to maximize his skills the way in which McDaniel did initially. And in case you're doing this dance for the second time in 4 years, perhaps it isn't the coach who's the issue.

What's the most fascinating looming offseason quarterback contract state of affairs?

Graziano: The primary title I considered was Lamar Jackson. Due to the bonus construction within the extension he signed two years in the past, Jackson's cap quantity balloons to $74.5 million in 2026. Certain, the Ravens may do a restructure and knock that quantity down into the mid-$30 million vary. However restructures simply push a cap subject into future years, and also you surprise if the higher route is a brand new deal, particularly if Jackson is uncomfortable making much less per yr than guys resembling Trevor Lawrence and Tagovailoa.

Sooner or later, Baltimore goes to should do one thing with Jackson's deal. However there are a selection of things that make this example much more fascinating. First is the truth that the Ravens are 1-5 and Jackson has sat out the previous two video games due to a hamstring harm. They hope to have him again this week, although that is not a certainty after he sat out Monday's apply. The schedule eases within the second half of the season, but when the Ravens do not recuperate and a minimum of make a run on the division title, how does that have an effect on their main participant personnel selections transferring ahead?

The second factor is that Jackson nonetheless would not have an agent, which has made negotiations tough prior to now. If the Ravens should renegotiate to get subsequent yr's cap quantity down however Jackson would not care to, there is no middleman to work out these variations. I think about this all works out ultimately, because it did final time. However you may keep in mind it obtained dicey the final time and clearly may once more for various causes.

Fowler: Contemplating only a few individuals on the planet can do the issues Jackson does (if any), the Ravens ought to get forward of the quickly ballooning quarterback market each time possible. His worth went up after Baltimore managed solely 13 factors in two video games with out him.

Baker Mayfield's state of affairs additionally intrigues me. He is due $43 million in money in 2025, but there's an argument he is underpaid. Mayfield, a 2027 free agent, is producing at a excessive clip regardless of vital accidents at offensive line, operating again and vast receiver. Not many quarterbacks are throwing the ball with extra confidence. The Bucs and Mayfield will play out the season and may work on an extension after that. The Bucs are projected to have round $48 million in 2026 cap house, which they'll simply decrease by remodeling Mayfield's $52 million hit.

Each side are pleased with this association. Mayfield has proof of idea, which implies his per-year common ought to in all probability have a “5” in entrance of it. The wild card is the Glazer household, which hasn't all the time spent massive cash on gamers. However Mayfield may look so as to add a tax on this deal, attributable to leverage and the below-market deal on which he is at present taking part in.

Graziano: Talking of below-market offers, I will throw it again once more to the QB extension class of 2023 and produce up Jalen Hurts. He went first that offseason, earlier than Jackson, Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert obtained their offers. In consequence, all of these guys make greater than Hurts. Since signing that deal, Hurts has gone 32-12 and received a Tremendous Bowl MVP. Hurts is signed via 2028, with $51.5 million totally assured for 2026, so there won't be a necessity to debate an extension this coming offseason. However he is additionally the Eleventh-highest paid quarterback within the league by common annual wage, behind a whole lot of guys who've completed rather a lot lower than he has.

I would not be shocked to see the Eagles deal with this example subsequent spring or summer season. I would be shocked if Hurts needed to go first this time, fairly than wait to see what occurs with Jackson and others.

Fowler: How Hurts performs over the subsequent 10 video games plus the playoffs may decide the trail ahead there. If he catalyzes one other deep playoff run, the Eagles can be sensible to method him. His passing from the pocket has been erratic, to make certain. However all he does is win, and he is a plus within the toughness and intangibles classes.

We can also't neglect about Matthew Stafford, who's owed $40 million in 2026, the final yr of his deal. That quantity shouldn't be assured proper now however locks in on the fifth day of the brand new league yr. The Rams and Stafford appear to be doing this yearly dance during which they contemplate options earlier than returning to one another. Stafford commerce buzz dominated the final mix, however he finally didn't need to depart the Rams. The state of affairs may attain a boiling level once more this offseason if Stafford continues to play lights out. His deal in all probability must be addressed in some kind however each events have performed this completely, making a typically uneasy however finally flourishing relationship.

What else are you listening to this week?

Graziano's notes:

• I do not consider it is a certain factor that Lamar Jackson returns from his hamstring harm to play in opposition to the Bears on Sunday. Jackson has missed the previous two video games, and the Ravens have been hoping he may return after their Week 7 bye. However they held a post-bye-week apply Monday, and Jackson didn't participate in it. I've had a few conversations with individuals acquainted with this example that led me to consider Jackson would possibly miss one other recreation whereas recovering from the harm and return in Week 9 in opposition to the Dolphins. Control the harm stories over the subsequent couple of days for indicators by hook or by crook. Monday wasn't an official apply, so the Ravens weren't required to subject an harm report.

• The Bengals are hoping their commerce for quarterback Joe Flacco can save their season, however the deal additionally would possibly make Flacco some more money. I obtained my arms on a replica of Flacco's contract and checked out the motivation clauses. Considered one of them is a per-game incentive bonus that can pay him $75,000 for each recreation during which he performs a minimum of 50% of his workforce's offensive snaps and the workforce wins the sport, however that does not kick in till the fourth such prevalence. Flacco has received one recreation with the Browns and one to this point with the Bengals.

So as an example, for instance, the Bengals win six extra video games during which Flacco performs a minimum of half of their offensive snaps (bringing his whole to eight for the season). He would earn a further $375,000 ($75,000 every for Video games 4-8 that meet the situations). If the Bengals win their remaining 10 video games and Flacco performs in a minimum of half of their offensive snaps in all of them, he'd earn a further $675,000. Flacco's contract additionally says he could make as much as $3 million in extra incentives tied to taking part in time and success. If he performs between 60% and 69.99% of his workforce's offensive snaps, he will get a $500,000 bonus. If he performs between 70% and 79.99%, that bonus will increase to $1 million. And if he performs 80% or extra, it goes as much as $1.5 million.

Lastly, if he meets any of these situations and his workforce makes the playoffs, these bonuses above would double. So, for instance, if Flacco performs in 75% of the workforce's offensive snaps and the Bengals make the playoffs, he'd get a $2 million bonus.

• Whereas I used to be down this rabbit gap, I additionally checked out Mac Jones' incentives in his take care of the 49ers. He is already cashing in. His deal says that he will get an additional $100,000 for each recreation during which he performs a minimum of 25% of the offensive snaps and the workforce wins — however provided that the workforce wins 4 such video games. Sunday's victory over the Falcons was the fourth recreation this season the Niners have received during which Jones performed a minimum of 25% of their offensive snaps, which implies Jones pocketed $400,000 because of that win. He can even get one other $550,000 if he performs in a minimum of 50% of the workforce's offensive performs this season and the 49ers make the playoffs.

• The Cowboys have had inside discussions a couple of doable extension for receiver George Pickens, to the purpose the place they have been inspecting the rosters and cap conditions of groups like Cincinnati, Miami and Philadelphia, who're all paying a number of high-end receivers. (The Cowboys already pay CeeDee Lamb $34 million per yr.) I do not suppose something will get achieved on this till after the season, however Dallas has been pleased with Pickens since buying him in an offseason commerce with Pittsburgh, and it's a minimum of contemplating what it could appear like to maintain Dak Prescott's vast receiver tandem collectively.

• With the Cowboys' protection struggling, coach Brian Schottenheimer (who oversees the offense) spent extra time than common within the defensive assembly rooms final week with coordinator Matt Eberflus and the defensive coaches. Gamers felt an additional power with Schottenheimer within the room. “He is our chief,” linebacker Marist Liufau informed me. “So having him within the room, you are feeling his presence for certain. It elevates everyone within the room. He is all the time telling us the reply is within the mirror, so simply drilling down on that, actually being detailed about our course of, from the note-taking, to the interplay in workforce conferences, each single element, actually.”

The Cowboys' protection appeared totally different Sunday. Normally a zone-heavy workforce underneath Eberflus, they performed man protection on greater than 50% of their defensive snaps and used extra five-man pressures than common in a 44-22 victory over Washington. A variety of which may have been made doable by the truth that the Commanders had been taking part in with out their prime three vast receivers, nevertheless it was a constructive signal nonetheless of the kind of adaptability Dallas will want if it needs its shaky protection to have the ability to assist its elite offense the remainder of the way in which.

Fowler's notes:

• Matt Bowen and I went deep on 25 commerce candidates immediately, together with intel, workforce matches and the chance every participant is definitely dealt. One participant not in our prime 25 was Las Vegas edge rusher Maxx Crosby, however a tweet from Trey Wingo obtained my consideration: He steered the Cowboys could be .

My understanding of the state of affairs is the Cowboys are on the hunt for an impression defensive participant and have reached out to groups all through the league — probably all of them — to gauge curiosity with various gamers, Crosby presumably being one. So sure, I feel there's curiosity. My sense is that Dallas can be fairly shocked if the Raiders truly moved on from Crosby, with whom proprietor Mark Davis has a deep affection. The Cowboys — armed with two first-rounders in 2026 and 7 picks in whole earlier than compensatory choices — even have appeared into Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, whom the Bengals do not plan to deal. A number of different edge rushers will likely be obtainable leaguewide, so count on the Cowboys to get entangled in varied talks.

They've proven an eagerness to commerce for gamers on rookie offers, which labored out nice with Pickens, who's having a contract yr for the ages. Pickens is pulling off fairly the upset after the Steelers moved on. Pickens by no means had steady quarterback play in Pittsburgh, however he does now. The Cowboys have observed that Pickens and Lamb have good chemistry as bookend receivers. And one individual with the workforce in contrast him to Dez Bryant — extremely proficient and typically a distraction, however finally manageable. For Pickens, that is good firm. Bryant made three Professional Bowls in eight seasons with Dallas.

• Talking of Pickens, the Steelers are patiently surveying the vast receiver commerce market. Right here are some things to bear in mind on that entrance. One, opponents for receiver assist would possibly show scarce. Groups usually window-shop however finally stand pat. The Giants come to thoughts right here. They may use assist for Jaxson Dart, however a number of groups I've spoken to consider the Giants would favor to maintain their draft picks as a workforce nonetheless in transition. There's all the time a shock workforce lurking, and maybe the Giants find yourself being that, however Pittsburgh can afford to attend this out and see who will get determined.

Two, Pittsburgh would not need to jeopardize what it has going at the price of making a splashy receiver commerce. The mixture of DK Metcalf, an awesome trio at tight finish (Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, Darnell Washington) and a gradual operating recreation is working proper now. Las Vegas' Jakobi Meyers is a perfect match as a result of he is adaptable. He is usually a dependable No. 2 or a high-volume goal if wanted. However the Raiders are one of many groups giving blended indicators on whether or not they would truly execute a deal, which complicates the market. They don't seem to be the one ones.

• Jets proprietor Woody Johnson acknowledged the apparent: Aaron Rodgers is flourishing in his first yr since leaving New York. Rodgers is 4-2 with the Steelers after a 5-12 stint in New York. You understand who else was 4-2 as a Steelers starter? Justin Fields, who's 0-6 because the Jets' signal-caller. “I by no means look again,” Johnson mentioned. “You must look ahead in soccer. Even while you lower gamers, they could possibly be Corridor of Famers. You by no means know. Aaron is taking part in nice now. He is in a state of affairs that is working for him.”

In equity to Johnson, Rodgers is transferring higher than he did in New York. Some with the Jets felt Rodgers was compromised for a couple of six- to eight-week stretch in 2024 due to harm. He is now wholesome and a full two years faraway from his left Achilles tear. By the tip of 2024, nonetheless, Jets coaches noticed a quarterback on the rise. In typical Jets style, one other workforce reaps the advantages. In actual fact, Rodgers' stint in Pittsburgh has gone so effectively that the workforce may rethink its 2026 quarterback plans. The Steelers will scour the draft marketplace for the QB of the long run, for certain. They're already doing so. However in case you ask individuals with the workforce whether or not they'd entertain the notion of Rodgers within the black-and-gold in 2026, the reply can be a convincing sure. He has maintained his elite means to throw the soccer.

Now, it is a lengthy season, Rodgers is 41 and what he does subsequent yr is anybody's guess. I definitely do not suppose any sweeping determinations have been made. However the marriage has been a profitable one for each events, and maybe that continues past this season.

• The Titans aren't panicking about Cam Ward's struggles via seven video games, however they want extra from him. Ward has proven the power to tug off tough throws. He'll squeeze the ball into nearly any window. Ward appears to be like for these throws as a result of that fearless nature obtained him this far, so there is a conviction that comes with that. The place the Titans are working with Ward is taking the layups when they're there. He is making the sport more durable than it needs to be in some instances. Simply because he can make a throw does not imply he ought to bypass the straightforward yards obtainable elsewhere.

Additionally, some with the Titans really feel Ward is at his greatest when he can play quicker, typically going no-huddle, making him much less robotic. That requires the power to unfold issues out with talent gamers. However the talent positions are problematic for Tennessee. That additionally requires, you realize, getting a primary down or two. All of that is making for a protracted season for Ward. The expertise and work ethic are simple, which ought to result in good issues. However he is additionally on tempo to throw 10 landing passes over a 17-game span. It is actually robust to have success that approach.

• No workforce has been extra knocked by harm than the Buccaneers, who've a Week 9 bye. Many with the Bucs have a easy aim in thoughts: Maintain enterprise vs. the Saints at residence, then get proper popping out of the bye for the stretch run. Dropping Mike Evans (collarbone) is brutal, however the Bucs do not should overreact with a splash commerce on the place. Emeka Egbuka is a starter, Tez Johnson is rising and Chris Godwin Jr. will likely be again. Additionally trending positively for the second half of the season: proper deal with Luke Goedeke.