The NFL trade deadline is less than two weeks away and phone lines are lighting up in front offices across the NFL. Well, most take calls on their cell phones while driving to work or while getting in and out of meetings, although I know a few decision makers who still love an old-fashioned landline. (Who doesn’t?)

The reality is that the sizzle is much better than the steak as we get closer to the deadline, even though there has been an upturn in trade in recent years. It hasn’t been an earth-shattering increase, but there are more deals now than before. Last year, fifteen trades were lost before the deadline, five more than the season before. Most teams look at their rosters, identifying expiring contracts or figuring out whose production and salary do not match. This is the time of information gathering, when GMs also try to determine the value of players.

An NFL general manager shared his philosophy on the trade deadline: “You can’t get caught up in the emotion and drama of it. There is a reason why these moves are made. The core of your team is the core of your team, and very rarely does one extra piece change your season.”

Most contending teams are on a mission to increase their depth, and in recent years some big names have done just that: the Vikings acquire tight end TJ Hockenson, the Dolphins add running back Bradley Chubb, the 49ers trade for running back Christian McCaffrey, the Bears get lead Montez Sweat and the Ravens pick up linebacker Roquan Smith.

As for the biggest name on the trading bloc this year…

Kupp was shopped – did Thursday change things?

After Thursday night’s win over the Minnesota Vikings put them at 3-4, Rams head coach Sean McVay sounded like a man who would throw GM Les Snead’s phone into the Pacific Ocean. That’s after LA had multiple conversations with other teams about star wideout Cooper Kupp. While McVay said he was thrilled to have Kupp back on the field and he “expects it to continue,” would the Rams still consider a deal?

Before the Rams’ recent win, my colleague Michael Silver (who just joined The Athletic last week — I recommend his columns if you like premiere stories and access) and I spoke with multiple league sources who have had discussions with the Rams about trading for the 31 year old recipient. The Chiefs (before the Hopkins trade), Bills and Steelers are among the teams that have called or contacted LA to discuss a trade scenario.

The Rams toyed with paying a small portion of Kupp’s salary to sweeten a trade, but have informed most suitors that isn’t an option. As a reminder, Kupp is making $15 million this year, and next year he will make $20 million, with $5 million already guaranteed. So if a team wants him, it will need at least $9 million in cap room to pick up the contract (unless the Rams help out). After a healthy Kupp looked like a reasonable version of himself on Thursday night, you can count on this: If a team talks to the Rams about trading for him, the price simply went up.

Read more here.