Rumor: Jon Kitna to Be Traded?

As we all know, the NFL's trade deadline is tomorrow at 4:00 pm EST, and unlike most years there's actually some buzz about potential deals. Maybe it's because there's a larger than normal number of crappy teams that are already out of playoff contention. Whatever the reason, it's going to make a random Tuesday in the middle of October somewhat interesting for football fans. Unless of course nothing happens, then it's just another random Tuesday in the middle of October for football fans.

Today, Lions beat writer Tom Kowalski reports that general manager Martin Mayhew "is involved in exploratory talks with teams about a handful of Lions players."

Naturally, it's a safe bet to assume that wide receiver Roy Williams is among those players. But as Kowalski speculates, quarterback Jon Kitna could also be drawing interest from a couple of teams, specifically San Francisco and Dallas.

Kitna told a media outlet on Monday that he didn't believe his back injury was serious and that he could return to action, possibly in a week or two. The Lions could deal Kitna for a conditional draft pick, protecting both the Lions and Kitna's new team. If Kitna starts for a certain amount of games, the draft pick goes up. If Kitna's back injury lingers and he can't play, the compensation would be reduced.

Clearly, the stellar performance from Dan Orlovsky yesterday, combined with his Montana-like field awareness, has made Kitna's services no longer needed in the motor city. Assuming the speculation is accurate.

Earlier this season when the 49ers signed veteran Jamie Martin to replace the injured Alex Smith, I actually made a joke -- a bad one, of course -- about San Francisco making a trade for Kitna, so Mike Martz could assemble his dream team of past quarterbacks. Clearly, I rule. But other than Martz feeling the need to acquire nothing but quarterbacks he's previously coached, I'm not sure what purpose Kitna would serve for the 49ers.

San Francisco is still in contention for the NFC West title, but that's mainly by default due to the NFC West currently being the NFL's answer to the Sun Belt Conference. Would Kitna be an upgrade over J.T. O'Sullivan? Maybe. But that would certainly make Martz look kind of silly, seeing as how he recently told the world that O'Sullivan could be the best quarterback he's ever coached.

It's only natural to assume there would be rumors swirling about Dallas acquiring a quarterback, seeing as how Tony Romo is going to be sidelined with a broken finger, but Wade Phillips said at his press conference today the team wouldn't be making a move, and is seemingly ready to charge ahead with Brad Johnson.

UPDATE: The 49ers aren't interested in Kitna.