Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter set record straight over AJ Brown NFL rumors

If you follow every NFL rumor, you will find yourself being led astray. That is particularly true whenever the Los Angeles Rams get mentioned by NFL insider Mike Florio. Florio has a track record of placing normal routine steps in any NFL trade process in the worst possible light.

Normal communication among staff regarding the boot sought by the Philadelphia Eagles does not constitute an endorsement by any staff member. Compare that to how Florio sells it in his article:

"...were pursuing the possibility of trading Adams."

Mike Florio

Pursuing? That infers LA was actively ringing other teams to lobby for a trade. That's a stretch, even for Florio. Now let's get back to the facts.

NFL Insider Ian Rapoport gives the first round of relief. As he indicates, the urgency for Philly to trade AJ Brown has been relieved after they re-signed tight end Dallas Goedert. So, the motivation for the Eagles to shed Brown is gone.

With the news, the need for the Birds to lower the asking price for Brown is gone. And with that price already astronomically high (rumored to be two first-round picks), the willingness of any NFL team to weigh in seems almost impossible right now.

Were LA Rams ever giving serious weight to trading Davante Adams?

In a word, not. Not happening.

The speculation of LA's pursuit of trading their top touchdown maker was flawed from the get-go. How can you upgrade by shedding the best scorer on the offense and a veteran wide receiver who loves playing in LA? Discussing what a trade entails is not anywhere close to pursuing a trade.

The English language has many subtle differences that make a huge difference.

A more reliable source is NFL insider Adam Schefter, who immediately and unquestionably shot down NFL rumors about LA trading Adams. He pointed to the $6 miilion roster bonus just paid out to Adams, an expense Los Angeles never would have incurred if trading him was an option.

It's not a change. Nothing has turned one way or the other. This was always the reality. The Horns know that Davante Adams is more productive and a better fit right now. Might that change? Anything is possible, but it's unlikely to happen this year.

In the meantime, Rams fans can relax. Florio loves to stir up a hornet's nest. But once again, he made a mountain out of a molehill. The sky is not falling over SoFi Stadium.

Again.

As always, thanks for reading.