Week 6 of the 2024 NFL season has arrived, and league insiders Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano are here to break down the biggest questions, latest news and notable buzz heading into the slate of games. Plus, they pick out which players should — or shouldn’t — be in your fantasy football lineups.

What’s the latest in the aftermath of the Jets firing Robert Saleh? Which other coaches might be on the hot seat? Could we see a quarterback be traded before the Nov. 5 deadline, and was New England’s QB1 change the right call? Also, which players could land new contract extensions over the next couple of months? It’s all here, as Dan and Jeremy answer big questions and empty their reporting notebooks with everything they’ve heard heading into Week 6.

Jump to a section:
Jets rumblings | Who’s on the hot seat?
QB trades | Extension watch | Maye’s chance
Fantasy tips | Latest buzz and notes

What are you hearing on the firing of Robert Saleh and what’s next for the Jets?

Graziano: I’ve been told it was completely an ownership decision in New York and that it caught the rest of the team by surprise. There has been a feeling of apprehension in the Jets’ building since the offseason — a pervasive concern that people would be losing their jobs if this season didn’t live up to expectations. The vibe there was poor last week after a miserable 10-9 home loss to the Broncos, and it was grim on the trip home from London (a 23-17 loss to Minnesota) in Week 5. But people at the facility Monday said things were starting to feel more positive, as the 2-3 Jets began to focus on next Monday night’s opportunity to move into a tie for first place in the AFC East with a victory over Buffalo. So when the news broke Tuesday morning, everyone was shocked.

Bottom line, team owner Woody Johnson feels he has a roster that can win and win big. He felt like it wasn’t being coached well enough, and he wanted to make a change before it was too late and the season slipped away. The offense isn’t working smoothly, and there have been some conversations there about possible changes on that side of the ball, but offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett is Rodgers’ favorite coach. I do not believe there was any kind of significant rift between Rodgers and Saleh, based on what I’ve been told. Johnson decided there needed to be a change in leadership aimed at salvaging the season. We’ll all find out together if he was right. As for why it happened now, Jeremy, do you want to address the reason the timing of Sunday’s loss might have been a factor?

Fowler: Dan, after making calls, my gauge on Saleh’s firing is a simple one: Johnson decided it was time to shake things up after the Jets produced two duds in a row, the latter of which came in front of Johnson’s friends in London. The feeling is that Johnson, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom, probably saw that game as the breaking point, with morale already low in the days after the loss to Denver.

One source believed the notion that Aaron Rodgers intentionally got Saleh fired is “BS” and that Rodgers actually advocated for Saleh at the end of last season. The belief from some in the building is Saleh was good with Rodgers, despite the perception, along with general manager Joe Douglas. Maybe other factors in relation to Rodgers were at play in Johnson’s evaluation. But, as a separate source said, “It was 100% Woody.” One team source believed Johnson, who didn’t hand-pick Saleh because he was away from the team in 2021 while serving as the U.K. ambassador, wasn’t all-in on Saleh well before his firing and had concerns about the coach’s tactics and leadership.

play

Why did the Jets decide to fire Robert Saleh now?

Adam Schefter breaks down what went into the Jets’ decision in firing Robert Saleh in the middle of the season.

Others believe this is less about Saleh’s acumen and more about the fact Johnson didn’t hire him and had a clear exit strategy. Do I think Saleh’s relationship with the locker room was a perfect one? No. Some chatter existed about tension there. But this was hardly a mutiny. Much of the building was shocked at the news when it dropped, and Saleh was informing his staff of Johnson’s decision as the news was already out. At a basic level, the Jets have a small window to compete and Saleh wasn’t maximizing that window.

Also, multiple people pointed out to me that both Douglas and interim coach Jeff Ulbrich are well-regarded by Johnson, who probably wanted to give Ulbrich an extended look of 12 games. Do they have a shot to be a tandem in 2025 if they win? I believe that’s on the table, and Johnson cutting ties with Saleh now opens the possibilities here. Douglas is in the final year of his contract. Ulbrich’s first big decision: Keep Hackett as playcaller or elevate pass-game coordinator Todd Downing, the latter of which Saleh reportedly strongly considered.

Are there any other head coaches on the hot seat?

Graziano: I believe the Colts’ annual loss in Jacksonville came at a good time for Jaguars coach Doug Pederson, whose seat isn’t chilly by any means. The Jaguars had high hopes for this season, and if the losing starts up again next week and continues, that’s the spot to watch for me.

Fowler: It’s tough to overstate the importance of Pederson’s first win of the season. Heading to London with an 0-5 record would have caused more tension. Showing signs of life was huge for the Jacksonville staff. Flying home from London after an ugly loss is an uneasy proposition, too, with Saleh becoming the third coach fired after a loss on a London trip, joining Dennis Allen (Raiders in 2014) and Joe Philbin (Dolphins in 2015) before him. But at least Pederson now has breathing room after a divisional win.

Graziano: I don’t think any of the other one-win teams’ coaches are in any near-term danger, though I guess you never know in Carolina, given the owner’s history. Looking ahead to possible offseason changes, the Browns could be a trouble spot. And then there’s the Philadelphia situation, right?

Fowler: Yeah, how Nick Sirianni’s Eagles come out of the bye week is key. Will changes be made, particularly on defense? After that, we know the usual suspects here, Dan. We’ve discussed how Brian Daboll (Giants) and Mike McCarthy (Cowboys) need inspired performances this season. So far, that has been a mixed bag. Daboll has Daniel Jones playing good football again. McCarthy is surviving. We know he can win in the regular season, but what he does in the playoffs will matter most.

Is it time to start talking about Sean McDermott after Buffalo’s Week 5 debacle in Houston, Dan? I got multiple texts from people involved in the hiring cycle asking whether McDermott would be on the hot seat. I replied that I hadn’t sensed that, but Sunday’s ending — a 23-20 loss after the Bills led 17-3 at halftime — was simply not good.

Graziano: Yessir, the texts are certainly flying on that one. The Buffalo job is definitely the early leader for “Job that potential head coach candidates and their agents hope comes open.”

I’ll say what I’ve said whenever this has come up over the past couple of years. I have heard many on the outside speculate McDermott could be in trouble if the Bills keep failing to reach the Super Bowl, but I have never once heard from inside the Bills’ organization that moving on from him has ever been a consideration. Could that change? Heck yeah it could, and if it does, prospective coaches will be lining up for a chance to work with Josh Allen and work for ultra-rich, patient ownership. As of now, though, I don’t think McDermott is in any immediate danger.

Fowler: That’s fair. Thus far, Buffalo has fully supported its brain trust of McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane, who came in together and have largely produced. The Bills have stability, which many franchises don’t. That was just such a curious lapse at the end of the Houston game that it brought his own tenure into focus unnecessarily.

Otherwise, no head-coaching seat is magma hot at the moment. But that will inevitably change over the next month. We will revisit this at midseason, no doubt.

Which quarterback has the best chance to be traded before the Nov. 5 deadline?

Fowler: I’ll go with Zach Wilson or Jarrett Stidham out of Denver. The Broncos have a surplus at the position, with the luxury of maintaining a quality backup whether it trades a passer or not. Wilson seems to be the logical candidate because he’s No. 3 on the depth chart. Coach Sean Payton has been excited to work with Wilson since acquiring the 25-year-old passer in April, and Wilson’s $1.055 million salary is far cheaper than Stidham’s $4.49 million. I could see Denver having dialogue with multiple quarterback-needy teams and moving one of Bo Nix‘s backups based on the direction of those talks.

Outside of Denver, Bryce Young is tempting, but I’m just not sold on Carolina getting adequate value, and he might need to play again this season. Russell Wilson‘s situation in Pittsburgh could crystallize this week if the Steelers opt to play him now that he’s returning closer to full health.

Graziano: All good suggestions, but I’m curious about the last passer you mentioned. I was in Pittsburgh for Sunday’s game against Dallas, and talking to people there I definitely did not get the sense Justin Fields was on thin ice or that the coaching staff was looking for a reason to turn it over to Wilson. Sunday wasn’t Fields’ best game, but he did lead the Steelers back in the second half and they were seconds away from winning. I’m not sure how Wilson improves anything there unless all of a sudden the running backs and the offensive line are all healthy and they bring in two new wide receivers.

At least Fields offers running ability, and the coaches and players I’ve talked to there had nothing but positive things to say about him. So, it’s interesting to see what coach Mike Tomlin does on this, but I’m sticking with my prediction that Wilson never plays for the Steelers unless Fields gets hurt. It’s also worth remembering Wilson’s one-year, minimum-salary contract includes a no-trade clause. It’s possible this ends with him getting released, not traded.

play

Schefter wouldn’t be surprised if Steelers turn to Russell Wilson

Adam Schefter tells Pat McAfee that he wouldn’t be surprised if Russell Wilson gets a chance to start at quarterback for the Steelers at some point.

Fowler: Wilson’s minimum salary would be attractive for teams, assuming he would waive his no-trade clause. And the Raiders were once on his desired list of destinations. This is reaching a boiling point, as Wilson appears to be approaching full health and the Steelers haven’t shown an eagerness to move off Fields just yet. They might need both quarterbacks at some point, and people in the building heavily favored Wilson as the No. 1 option not long ago.

They also need to find a way to unlock wideout George Pickens, who was kept off the field on early downs Sunday and whose body language was poor all night. Wilson might be more willing to take risks downfield than Fields, who is trying to keep his job. If Wilson doesn’t have a clear path on the field, will he be a supportive backup? That remains to be seen.

Graziano: Right. That’s why it’s more about plotting an exit strategy for Wilson in Pittsburgh than anything else. Tomlin said Tuesday that Wilson is finally at a point where he’s healthy enough to practice in full this week, but that he’ll work with the second team so Fields can focus on preparing for the game at Las Vegas with the starters. It doesn’t sound as if a change is happening this week, though it’s possible Wilson could be active for the first time this season as a backup. On one hand, it might help his trade value if another team got to see him play for the Steelers first. On the other hand … not if he plays the way he played the past two years in Denver. Pittsburgh is trying to win games, not showcase players for trades. I don’t know who the team is that would give up assets for Wilson right now, but it’s certainly possible one does and that he ends up being the answer to this question.

Let me pivot completely, though, because this came up a few weeks ago as a possibility. With the Rams’ season on life support, could you see a team going to them and asking about Matthew Stafford? It might take an injury to an established starter on a contending team, but I wonder if the Rams or Stafford would consider it.

Fowler: Definitely. The Rams have looked at Stafford’s future as a year-to-year proposition. His reworked contract last offseason reflects that, pushing his 2024 pay into the $40 million range but lessening his guarantees in 2025, essentially allowing both sides to decide whether they want to remain married at that point. This is a situation to watch closely, because neither player nor team seems to know how or when it will end. Stafford is 36 and has dealt with injuries recently. Does he want to play after this season?

The Rams and their quarterback have several questions to answer, which are easier to put off if the team is winning. And maybe L.A. can regain its winning ways once Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua and others return. It’s also worth noting the Jimmy Garoppolo signing got the attention of some around the league, because Garoppolo could be an insurance option down the road. While interested teams are unclear, the Raiders have a glaring need at the position.

Which player is most likely to get a contract extension over the next two months?

Graziano: The real, kind of not-super-fun answer is Chiefs guard Trey Smith, who’s playing on the final year of his rookie deal. Kansas City extended center Creed Humphrey right before the season and there was some thought at the time his 2021 draft classmate Smith wouldn’t be far behind. San Francisco 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga is also a guy I’m watching, though he has had injury issues that could be holding that up. He tore ligaments in his wrist in Week 5 and will be out a few weeks.

Fowler: Love the Smith answer. He should be the NFL’s fifth guard to meet or surpass $20 million annually on a new deal. The Chiefs would love to extend him at the same time as Humphrey, but they knew that would be far too costly.

I’ll go with Vikings safety Camryn Bynum. Minnesota and Bynum discussed an extension in recent months but couldn’t reach an agreement. As of now, he is set to enter free agency. He’s thriving in Brian Flores’ defense, with two interceptions, five pass deflections and a fumble recovery. Making splash plays in a contract year is a way to nudge the team back to the negotiation table with a stronger offense. That could be the case here. Bynum also fortifies a clear position of need in the future. Harrison Smith is turning 36 in February. The Vikings released 2022 first-rounder Lewis Cine in August. Bynum has leverage and could wait until March to exercise it.

True or false: The Patriots are making the right call in pivoting to Drake Maye.

Fowler: False. Stick to the plan. New England has long wanted Maye, the No. 3 overall pick in April’s draft, to get something close to a redshirt year. The offensive line is only getting worse. This feels like an inflection point. Play Maye now and deal with the growing pains or protect him and make him the 2025 starter from the first day of the offseason. We’ve seen this show too many times, the rookie quarterback thrust into action in the name of teams trying to see what they have. How did that work out for Bryce Young? The Patriots aren’t one player away.

Graziano: See, I’ve changed my mind on this and I’m going with “True.” I get the idea of not wanting to play Maye too soon in a bad situation for fear that compounding negativity affects his development in nonproductive ways. But the current condition of this offense under Jacoby Brissett makes me feel like, at least at the beginning, the effect on the Patriots and Maye would be a net positive. Maye showed in the preseason he has special ability as a thrower and can make plays with his legs to an extent that Brissett cannot. If you’re a player on New England, staring at 12 more games of this level of futility, you’ve probably been hoping something drastic would happen to inject some life into the place. I like it.

Fowler: You might be onto something, Dan, because coach Jerod Mayo’s tepid support of Brissett earlier this week didn’t help. Maye’s mobility and pedigree could help elevate a team that, despite its struggles, isn’t a lost cause. While I still believe Maye should sit, you’ve almost convinced me. I’m open to being wrong. It’s not as if Jayden Daniels is surrounded by All-Pro talent in Washington. Save Terry McLaurin, the Commanders’ offense is not imposing on paper. But Daniels is making it work because he was a tone-setter from day one. Maye was considered more of a project than Daniels, but he’s a major talent. What if he struggles mightily, though, Dan? Then what?

Graziano: Mayo and the coaching staff will have to manage this and stay on top of it, making sure that if Maye struggles, his attitude about it stays positive and he believes he can work his way through it. What coaches who bring along young quarterbacks often say is they don’t want passers to go through so much negativity that it compounds and affects their attitude about what it will take and what hope there is to get better. The Patriots can’t just throw Maye in there and say he’s starting the rest of the season no matter what. They’ll have to constantly be assessing the ways in which the negativity is or isn’t affecting his development, and be willing to go back to Brissett or some other option if they feel that’s what Maye needs. No one said this stuff was easy. I just think there’s a chance the team gets a little positive jolt from a change like this, and that Maye could ride that to some early confidence and maybe even success.

What’s your top fantasy football tip of the week?

Graziano: Don’t give up on Bijan Robinson. Don’t bench him. Don’t trade him away. I get it. I feel your pain. I’m living it with you. But (A) the Falcons running back has been fine, even though you drafted him for more than fine, and (B) he’s playing the Panthers this week. Carolina is giving up the second-most fantasy points per game to running backs this season. Heck, you could play Tyler Allgeier as a flex this week if you’re up against it due to injuries or bye weeks or whatever. This is the week Robinson looks like the guy you spent that high first-round pick on. He just has to, right? Right?!?

Fowler: Ignore the Falcons’ depth and play Darnell Mooney. The hesitancy to play him has been understandable because of all of Atlanta’s playmakers, but Mooney has two things going for him: Chemistry with Kirk Cousins and respect from opponents. In back-to-back weeks, opposing teams told me Mooney was a high priority on the scouting report, a true 1A to Drake London. He’s averaging eight targets per game, including a 16-target Week 5 against Tampa Bay that was no fluke. He gets open. He’d be a bigger name but was camouflaged by the Bears’ uneven passing game. That’s no longer an issue.

What else are you hearing this week?

Graziano’s notes:

• Davante Adams might prefer to play with Aaron Rodgers on the Jets or Derek Carr on the Saints, but I’m still watching the Steelers as a potential landing spot. They were very active in the Brandon Aiyuk sweepstakes when that was going on this summer, and my understanding is they plan to continue to be aggressive in pursuing wide receiver help. Their top receiver is George Pickens, whose reduced snap count in Sunday night’s loss is an indication he doesn’t have the full trust of the coaching staff, and they’re ultra-thin behind him. Adams would immediately slot in as their No. 1 wide receiver, and they’ll do what they can to find out if they can get him. A couple of people — not people connected with the Steelers, just outside observers — suggested the idea of a Pickens-for-Adams trade, and you have to admit it’s interesting.

Another point to make here is the Steelers don’t currently have the cap space to acquire Adams, though they would if this drags on a couple of more weeks or if they could get the Raiders to pay some of the salary.

• The Eagles believe they have a chance to get whole following their Week 5 bye, as they’re hopeful to have top wideouts A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith as well as right tackle Lane Johnson back from their injuries. Their next four opponents have a combined record of 5-15, so they know they have an opportunity to get on a roll and keep pace with surprising first-place Washington in the NFC East.

• The Texans are bracing for the possibility top wideout Nico Collins will sit out multiple weeks because of the hamstring injury he suffered Sunday. They’re well equipped at wide receiver with Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell, and tight end Dalton Schultz is someone they’ve been trying to incorporate into the offense more. But they’ve already been playing without running back Joe Mixon and haven’t exactly been crushing teams as it is. Houston is 4-1, but its wins are by two, six, four and three points, and its loss is by 27. The Texans are trying to find ways to put teams away in the second half and not have to rely on 59-yard field goals to win games.

play

Schefter tells McAfee why Davante Adams trade talks have slowed a bit

Adam Schefter explains to Pat McAfee why a Davante Adams trade could drag out awhile.

Fowler’s notes:

• Speaking of Adams, the Raiders have told at least one team involved in a potential trade they don’t plan to front any of the bill on his $16.89 million salary. Perhaps negotiations change that, but that has been the perceived stance from Las Vegas. Teams I’ve talked to believe the Saints might just be the favorite, because they are on Adams’ short list of preferred destinations and are willing to be aggressive. Yes, the Jets are involved. But the Raiders probably will go with the best package. And because Adams seems to prefer going to the Jets or Saints, the Raiders are starting there, knowing they can expand the list if needed. As of now, those two teams appear to be in the driver’s seat. To your point, Dan, yes, the Steelers have a desire to trade for Adams, hoping to address their receiver needs once and for all. But Adams is a factor in all of this, and he seems ready to play with one of his former quarterbacks.

As for Adams’ desire to leave Las Vegas, my sense is the lack of a solution at the quarterback position was a factor in his decision-making. He has been there two-plus seasons and there’s no clear solution. I can’t speak for Adams, but after asking around, some people in the building believe that was a big issue for him. By the way, multiple teams that have looked into Adams are unsure whether he would be ready to play this week, due to a hamstring injury. That’s something to keep in mind, especially with Adams due nearly $1 million per week.

• Changes to the Eagles’ lineup are on the table as 2-2 Philly emerges from its bye week. One position to watch: Rookie Cooper DeJean taking over nickel corner duties from veteran Avonte Maddox. That’s a move I’m expecting, barring new developments. DeJean, a second-rounder with first-round talent, got off to a slow start due to a preseason injury but is considered all caught up with Vic Fangio’s scheme. I’m told multiple defensive positions were up to discussions over the past week due to a defense that ranks 30th in yards per play allowed (6.0). The shakeup began in earnest Tuesday, when the team released linebacker Devin White, a former Pro Bowl player who has been a healthy scratch all season.

• Daniel Jones is having a nice bounce-back season for the Giants, with shades of his 2022 playoff run. He ranks 12th in QBR, with a solid 774 yards, four touchdowns and one interception over the past three weeks. When I caught up with Jones in Week 4, a lot of the same themes ring true. He likes the Giants’ adaptability. They can “change the pace” on defenses with the running game or a quick dropback and play-action games. “We feel like we’re improving every game,” he said. And when Malik Nabers returns from a concussion, Jones will have no problem throwing his way on third downs. What helps the rookie Nabers win contested plays: “Every time he steps on the field, you can tell he really loves football, loves to compete. I feel really good about matching up in those situations.”

• It should be noted retread coaches are having success at the head coach and coordinator levels, which could be a factor during this year’s carousel. Last year’s hiring cycle brought Dan Quinn to Washington, Jim Harbaugh to Los Angeles and Raheem Morris to Atlanta. Those three coaches are a combined 9-5. And scanning the defensive rankings throughout the league, look no further than Vance Joseph’s Broncos defense and Brian Flores’ Vikings unit. Both coaches have their side of the ball playing excellent football, which could springboard the former head coaches into the interview circuit come January. While offensive coaches such as Detroit’s Ben Johnson, Houston’s Bobby Slowik and Baltimore’s Todd Monken should be hot candidates, the ex-head coaches getting a second shot are working thus far.