Canal Street Chronicles
It’s not just about the prospects.
The 2025 NFL Combine is nearly here, and this will be a massive week for the New Orleans Saints. The coaching staff is almost complete, and this will be the first time they can get their eyes on some prospects as a collective group. Regarding the Combine as a whole, this is the time when certain prospects’ positions on draft boards drastically change. Also, it is important to note that the combine is not just about the prospects.
Rumors swirl during this week, but many have some truth behind them. Last year, the stories of Kirk Cousins to the Atlanta Falcons rumors gained momentum during the event, which became true. Some importance has been taken out of this week recently, but if you know what to look for, this week can give important insight into future outcomes.
Teams needing quarterbacks have already been the subject of many rumors this offseason, and maybe the NFL Combine could give some hints/answers to these rumors. As I mentioned before, last year, the Cousins to the Falcons rumors were present going into the Combine, but during that week, the whispers became louder, and it became likely the rumor would become true. This year is very similar, but even more rumors surround the quarterback position.
With an extreme number of teams looking for a quarterback going into the offseason, the draft is usually where those teams tend to find their answer. With a weaker, but not bad, quarterback class, many of the teams may go to the veteran market instead, and that is where Matthew Stafford comes into play.
Per Tom Pelissero, the Rams have given Stafford’s agent permission to speak with other teams, so Stafford’s availability is true, but where could he end up? Several teams will be in for Stafford, but during the Combine week, there is a good chance the New York Giants are the prominent rumor being spread. The Giants have already been linked with Stafford, but this week could really sway things into that becoming the likely outcome.
Speaking of quarterback-needy teams, the Saints could be another franchise subject to rumors. The decision on Derek Carr is unknown as of now, and it was reported before the Super Bowl that the Saints would meet in the next few weeks. There is a good chance that the meeting has already happened, and throughout the Combine week, rumors could start pointing to a definitive decision on Derek Carr’s future with the team.
The 2025 NFL Draft prospects will undergo tests, measurements, workouts, and interviews throughout the week. Depending on their performances, the prospect’s draft stocks could change drastically. One who has some question marks around him is Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr. Recently, there were rumors that Pearce could have some character concerns that caused his draft stock to fall. This happens every year with certain prospects and could be inaccurate, but Pearce can leave...
