Adrian Peterson got his wish. Martavis Bryant did not.
Peterson was given the change of scenery he sought when the New Orleans Saints traded the running back to the Arizona Cardinals. As for Bryant, despite his wish to be moved if he's not included in the Pittsburgh Steelers' offense, management has vowed to hang on to its unhappy receiver.
Though his plea didn't have the desired effect, there are other receivers who should follow his lead and demand a trade before the deadline on Oct. 31.
Laquon Treadwell
A superstar in college at Ole Miss, Treadwell rebounded from a gruesome leg injury in his sophomore year to return and post a 1,153-yard, 11-touchdown season in his draft year. The Vikings made him their first-round selection in 2016, and he went on to register just one catch in his rookie season.
This year, he's gotten in four starts, but he has just 11 receptions for 121 yards. He's been passed on the depth chart by Adam Thielen, offseason addition Michael Floyd, and even Jarius Wright, despite Treadwell's ability to make catches like this.
Head coach Mike Zimmer has said the youngster struggled learning at the pro level and understanding the subtleties of the sport. But, like Bryant, surely Treadwell would relish the opportunity to showcase his athletic ability on a team that would allow him more playing time.
The 22-year-old has precious time before he's saddled with the dreaded bust label.
Terrelle Pryor
Really, Pryor has no one to blame but himself.
Signed to a one-year, $6-million deal to replace outgoing receivers DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon, Pryor has hauled in just 18 passes on 33 targets this season.
He's had a number of notable drops as well.
It's gotten to the point that oft-injured receiver Josh Doctson earned more snaps than Pryor did in a Week 7 Monday night matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles.
It's clear Pryor has been supplanted as the No. 1 receiver in the offense, and Jordan Reed's return to health means Pryor could be in for even less work.
If he hopes to earn a job elsewhere next season, he needs to get a jump on rebuilding his resume. He needs out of D.C., fast.
Larry Fitzgerald
Much of the Cardinals' season was tied to the performance and availability of veterans Fitzgerald and Carson Palmer. With Palmer on IR due to a broken arm and backup Drew Stanton unable to lead the team to a single point last week, hope has dried up in the desert.
After all, the Cards are also without franchise back David Johnson.
It's time for Fitzgerald to look out for himself. He's given the Cardinals 13-plus legendary seasons. Who's to hold it against him if he, quietly and gracefully, goes to team management and asks for an opportunity to play for a contender and chase the ever-elusive Super Bowl ring in what might be his final season?
It'd be hard to see the future Hall of Famer in anything but Cardinals' red, but, for Fitzgerald, it'd be worth it to take one last crack at winning the Lombardi Trophy.
