2025 NFL Trade Deadline: Intel talks trades, rumors and more news
The 2025 NFL trade deadline is Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET. Yes, this Tuesday.
There’s a lot of chatter surrounding who could be moved, and what teams could add or get rid of veterans. It’s a fluid situation at this point. We’ve already seen 12 moves this season, and there are more on the way.
So, let’s check out where things stood a few days ago. Here’s what we hear and what we know, with the disclaimer that the outcomes of Week 9 games and the whims of different team owners and general managers can change a lot of them quickly. Let’s get into the latest posts.
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Teams are stuck in the middle
RBs to watch | QBs to watch
Competitors make moves
Fantasy related trades
Subtraction difference | Add teams
Pinyin
One issue with the NFL trade deadline is that it’s too early for some teams to make hard and fast decisions — even though it has been pushed back a week. The Panthers, for example, enter Week 9 with a 4-4 record. Should they add? Should they trade players for draft picks? The answer probably depends on their expectations for the rest of the season, and whether they are true contenders now or still at least a year away. As a result, they are likely to remain unchanged this week.
Meanwhile, the Bengals are 3-5 after an inexplicable loss to the Jets last week, but with the Steelers coming back down to earth and the Ravens continuing to dig their way out of an early-season hole, the AFC North is within reach. If they still have hope for quarterback Joe Burrow (toe) returning this season, the Bengals won’t be able to trade defensive end Trey Hendrickson. They could move on from linebacker Logan Wilson, who has made clear he wants out, and some other players who don’t fit into their new defensive scheme. But the Bengals don’t seem interested in giving up anyone they think can help them win games right now. Maybe that will change if they lose to the Bears.
And the Giants, who are 2-6, don’t look like a team that should be trading picks for players on win-now moves. But with Malik Nabers (knee) and Cam Scatippo (tibia/ankle) suffering season-ending injuries, the Giants are inquiring about wide receivers and running backs to ensure they have enough offensive playmakers to keep rookie QB Jaxson Dart on a strong developmental path.
RB market heating up
Teams don’t typically want to devote high-level resources to the position in today’s NFL, but some contending teams are looking to bolster a running back, including the Patriots, Chiefs and Texans.
New England is without starter Rehammond Stephenson (toe) for Week 9, and while that could mean more work for rookie Trevon Henderson, the Pats have yet to show they trust Henderson to work between the tackles and are looking for the veteran to add depth even if Stephenson’s absence is short-term. (If it’s long-term, expect the Patriots to get aggressive in trying to add a quarterback.)
1:00
Why Week 9 could be Trevion Henderson’s chance to shine
Field Yates explains why TreVeyon Henderson is a solid flex play as a low-profile RB2 for the Patriots.
Houston needs help because it doesn’t look like Joe Mixon (ankle) will be back this season, and Nick Chubb doesn’t provide the explosiveness he once did. The Chiefs are dealing with Isiah Pacheco’s knee injury, but the presence of Kareem Hunt and rookie running back Brashard Smith makes the move less urgent. Meanwhile, the Chargers have also inquired about their running backs, with Najee Harris (Achilles) out for the year and rookie Omarion Hampton (ankle) still on IR.
What full-backs could be available? Well, it looks like the Jets will stick with Breece Hall unless the return is good enough to justify a move (perhaps a third-round pick). Cleveland’s Jerome Ford and Miami’s Jaylen Wright are likely to be available. The Giants don’t seem keen on trading Tony Pollard, and even if the Panthers wanted to trade Chuba Hubbard (which I don’t think they do), he has a $4.5 million guarantee in 2026 making it difficult to do so.
Therefore, there may not be enough contestants to meet the needs of all the contestants looking to make this move. This could drive up prices and prompt teams that don’t want to give up their running backs to reconsider.
Cousins and QBs
It’s rare to see a big quarterback trade at the deadline. QBs are precious and expensive, and it’s not often that a quarterback shows up midseason, learns the offense and saves the team in the second half. So, if you see a quarterback move at the deadline, it’ll likely be a reserve or long-term play, similar to Jimmy Garoppolo going from the Patriots to the 49ers in 2017. (Yes, Garoppolo started for the Niners that season, but that wasn’t the plan when they acquired him.)
Kirk Cousins is the big name drawing attention as he is a veteran backup behind Michael Penix Jr. in Atlanta and has made it clear he would like to go to a team that offers a better chance to start. But I’m told Cousins’ situation has not changed. The Falcons still value him highly as a backup option (he already had to start one game this season due to Pinnicks’ knee injury) and are asking for more in return than teams were willing to pay — especially since the acquiring team would have to take about half of Cousins’ $27.5 million salary in 2025 and the $10 million guarantee he has for 2026.
Obviously, an injury to the quarterback on Sunday could make teams more willing to pay for Cousins or other available options. But heading into Sunday, it doesn’t look like the impact QB will be transferred by Tuesday. (It’s worth noting that the Bengals had already made a trade with the Browns to acquire Joe Flacco a few weeks ago.)
Novice competitors
The Patriots, as we discussed before, are looking for help at cornerback but would also like an edge rusher. After acquiring picks in last week’s trades with San Francisco and Pittsburgh, the Pats now have 10 picks in the 2026 draft and more salary cap space than any other team. They are well placed to take advantage if a player they like becomes available. One problem? Many of the potential available edge rushers — Jaylan Phillips, Bradley Chubb, Matthew Judon — play for the Dolphins, who may not want to help out a division rival.
The Colts have the best record in the league through eight weeks (7-1). Their attack looks unstoppable, but they could use help defensively and have been asking for corner kicks for several weeks. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Indianapolis get aggressive to improve its defense as the Colts try to capitalize on this hot start for Daniel Jones, Jonathan Taylor and the offense.
The Bears may be a better fit as one of the “in-betweeners” at the deadline, but they have shown enough to convince themselves they can compete for a playoff spot in Ben Johnson’s first year as coach. GM Ryan Poles tends to be active this time of year, and the Bears need help on defense as well.
2:10
Are the Bears serious playoff contenders?
Taylor Lewan, Dan Orlovsky, Andrew Hawkins and Will Compton discuss whether Caleb Williams and the Bears are cheaters.
Fantasy-related moves to watch
Players with new skills in new places are a fun byproduct of the trade deadline for those preparing for an extended run in their fantasy leagues. The aforementioned running backs would be interesting if traded. If Breece Hall is dealt, his current backup, Isaiah Davis, will immediately be more fantasy-relevant. Raiders WR Jakobi Meyers has expressed his desire to be traded, and if he lands with the Patriots or Steelers, his fantasy value could expand.
Would fantasy managers enjoy seeing the Browns trade David Njoku to a team like the Rams, who are ultimately asking for help? Cleveland uses rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. frequently and could look to move Njoku for the right package. And a lot of teams are interested in what the Saints do with their wide receivers. It doesn’t look like they’ll be trading Chris Olave, but it’s possible that Rashid Shahid and/or Brandin Cooks will be able to attack better by Tuesday afternoon.
Teams will likely trade players
The Dolphins, who just let go of GM Chris Grier and appear headed toward an offseason overhaul, are among the teams most likely to trade players with picks in the coming days. The Giants, who fired coach Brian Callahan two weeks ago, have already started dealing players and could handle more. Linebacker Arden Key and tight end Chig Okonkwo are available for the right package.
1:07
Orlovsky on Chris Grier’s departure: Dolphins ‘devoid of talent’
Dan Orlovsky defends Mike McDaniel, saying the Dolphins’ struggles stem from roster issues with general manager Chris Grier and the team mutually agreeing to part ways.
The Browns have some interesting defensive players, as well as Jerome Ford and David Njoku on offense. And the Giants could make a player-for-player deal that includes someone like 2022 first-round offensive lineman Evan Neal if they don’t want to trade picks to help surround Dart with talent to finish out his rookie year.
Teams most likely to trade players
The Patriots, as mentioned, are flush with picks and cap space and would love to capitalize on this hot start in Mike Vrabel’s first year as their coach. Eagles GM Howie Roseman is always Coming in at this time of year, the Eagles still need help on defense. (I don’t think they’ll trade WR AJ Brown.)
The 49ers have been searching for quick help for weeks and need reinforcements at all three levels of their injury-ravaged defense. The Ravens are heating up and could look to add, though they already made a move in October, acquiring safety Alohi Gilman from the Chargers for Odafe Oweh. And I expect the Cowboys to do something on defense – perhaps a trade for a linebacker or cornerback if they find someone who fits their profile.