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dan graziano
2025 nfl trade deadline It’s Tuesday at 4pm ET. Yes, it Tuesday
there is there’s a lot of talk flying around About who can be transferred, which teams can add or remove veterans. It’s a fluid situation at this point. We’ve already seen 12 moves in the season, with more to come.
So, let’s see where things stand in the next few days. is here what are we listening to And what we do know, with the disclaimer about what the consequences will be week 9 games And the whims of different teams’ owners and GMs can change a lot of that very quickly. Let’s come to the latest discussion.
Go to Intel:
Teams stuck in the middle
RB to see , cubby to watch
Contenders are making moves
fantasy-relevant deals
teams are reducing , Teams are adding
middlemen
One problem with the NFL trade deadline is that it’s too early for some teams to make hard-and-fast decisions — even if it’s moved back a week. For example, the Panthers enter Week 9 with a 4-4 record. Should they be combined? Should they trade players for draft picks? The answer probably depends on their outlook for the remainder of the season, and whether they are real contenders now or still at least a year away. As a result, they will probably pout this week.
Meanwhile, Bengal are 3-5 after last week’s unforgiving performance loss to jetsBut with the Steelers coming back to earth and the Ravens still climbing out of their early-season hole, the AFC North is within everyone’s reach. If they still have hope for a quarterback joe burro ,toe) will return this season, the Bengals can’t trade the defensive end trey hendricksonThey could move beyond linebacker logan wilsonwho made it clear wants outAnd some other players who haven’t fit into their new defensive scheme. But it doesn’t seem like the Bengals are interested in trading someone they feel can help them win games now. Maybe that will change if they lose to the bear,
And the Giants, at 2-6, don’t look like a team that should be exchanging picks for players in a win-now move. but with this malik nabors ,Knee) And cam skatebow ,tibia/ankle) Plagued by season-ending injuries, the Giants are inquiring about wide receivers and running backs to ensure they have enough offensive playmakers to keep up with the rookie QB. jackson dart On a strong growth path.
RB market is heating up
Teams generally don’t like to commit high-level resources to the position in today’s NFL, but some contending teams are gearing up to land a running back, including the Patriots, Chiefs and Texans.
New England is without a starter Ramondre Stevenson ,toe) for week 9, and although it may mean more work for the newbie traveyon hendersonThe Pats have not yet shown that they trust Henderson to fill the middle and are looking for a veteran to add depth, even if Stevenson’s absence is short-lived. (If this is long-term, expect the Patriots to be aggressive in trying to add a running back.)
1:00
Why Week 9 could be Trevion Henderson’s chance to shine
Field Yates explains why Trevion Henderson is a solid flex play as a low-end RB2 with the Patriots.
Houston needs help because it doesn’t seem like it joe mixon ,ankle) will return this season, and Nick Chubb Doesn’t provide the explosiveness he did before. the chiefs are dealing with isia pacheco‘S knee injurybut it is happening Kareem Hunt and budding newbie brashard smith Makes a step a little less necessary. Meanwhile, the Chargers have also inquired about RB najee harris ,Achilles) out for the old and newbie Omarion Hampton ,ankle) is still on IR.
Which running backs might be available? Well, it looks like the Jets are going to stick around Breece Hall Unless the returns are good enough to justify a move (perhaps a third-round pick). of cleveland jerome ford and miami jaylen wright Possibly available. Doesn’t look like the Titans are eager to make a trade tony pollardAnd even if the Panthers want to make a trade Chuba Hubbard (Which I don’t think they do), they have $4.5 million guaranteed in 2026 which will make it hard to do.
Therefore, there may not be enough running backs to meet the needs of all contenders looking to move on. This could drive up prices and motivate teams that aren’t eager to reconsider.
cousin and cubby
It’s rare to see a massive quarterback trade at the deadline. QBs are precious and expensive, and it’s not often that a quarterback shows up in the middle of a season, learns the offense, and saves the team in the second half. So, if you see a quarterback move at the deadline, chances are it will be a backup or long-term play, la jimmy garoppolo going from patriots to the 49ers In 2017. (Yes, Garoppolo started for the Niners that season, but that wasn’t the plan when they acquired him.)
cancer cousin A big name getting attention because he has an experienced backup behind him Michael Penix Jr.in Atlanta and has made it clear he would like to move to a team that offers a better chance to start. But I am told that the position of the cousins has not changed. The Falcons still value him highly as a backup option (he’s already had to start). a game Reasons for panic this season knee injury) and in return teams are asking more than they are willing to pay — especially because the acquiring team would have to take on nearly half of Cousins’s $27.5 million salary in 2025 and the $10 million he has guaranteed for 2026.
Obviously, an injury to the starting quarterback on Sunday could make teams more willing to pay the price for Cousins or other available options. But heading into Sunday, it didn’t look like there would be any impact on the QB until Tuesday. (It’s worth noting that the Bengals had already made a trade with the Browns to acquire Joe Flacco A few weeks ago.)
early contender
The Patriots, as we’ve already discussed, are looking for RB help, but they also need an edge rusher. after receiving the pics last week deals Along with San Francisco and Pittsburgh, the Pats now have 10 selections in the 2026 draft and more salary cap space than any other team. If a favorite player becomes available they are well placed to take advantage of the opportunity. a problem? Lots of potentially available edge rushers — jalen phillips, bradley chubb, Matthew Judon –Play for the Dolphins, who probably won’t want to help a division rival.
The Colts have the best record in the league through eight weeks (7–1). Their offense looks unstoppable, but they could use help on defense and have been asking about cornerback for several weeks. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Indianapolis become aggressive in improving its defense as the Colts try to capitalize on this hot start Daniel Jones, jonathan taylor And crime.
The Bears may have been a better fit as one of the “in-betweeners” at the deadline, but they have performed well enough to assure themselves that they can compete for a playoff spot in Ben Johnson’s first year as coach. GM Ryan Pols remains active this time of year, and the Bears need help on defense as well.
2:10
Are the Bears a serious playoff contender?
Taylor Lewan, Dan Orlowski, Andrew Hawkins and Will Compton debate whether Caleb Williams and the Bears are cheaters.
Fantasy-relevant moves to watch for
Players at new skill positions at new positions are a fun byproduct of the trade deadline for those ready to expand in their fantasy leagues. The running backs mentioned above would be interesting if they were traded. If Breece Hall is dealt, his current backup, Isaiah DavisWould be immediately more fantasy-relevant. raiders wr Jakobi Meyers have expressed a desire to do businessAnd if he lands with the Patriots or Steelers, his fantasy value could expand.
Would fantasy managers enjoy seeing the Browns trade? David Njoku For a team like the Rams, who are looking for help in tough times? Cleveland is using a rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr.A move for Njoku could be considered for a lot more and the right package. And a lot of teams are interested in what the Saints do with their wide receivers. Don’t think they’ll trade Chris Olavebut it is possible Rasheed Shaheed and/or brandin cook By Tuesday afternoon, we may be in a better position to attack.
Teams most likely to sell players
dolphin, which just Let go of GM Chris Grier And it looks like they’re headed for a major offseason overhaul, with one of the most likely teams to sell select players in the coming days. titans, which Coach Brian Callahan was fired Just a few weeks ago, player deals have begun and even more could be done. linebacker arden key and tight end chig okonkwo Available for the right package.
1:07
Orlovsky on Chris Grier’s departure: Dolphins are ‘devoid of talent’
Dan Orlowski defended Mike McDaniel, saying the Dolphins’ struggles stemmed from roster issues after GM Chris Grier and the team mutually agreed to part ways.
The Browns have some interesting defensive players in the addition of Jerome Ford and David Njoku. And the Giants could make a player-by-player deal involving someone like the 2022 first-round offensive lineman evan neal Unless they want to trade picks to help surround Dart with talent to finish out his rookie year.
Teams most likely to trade for players
As we mentioned, the Patriots have a glut of 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 Always Including this time of year, and the Eagles still need help on defense. (I don’t believe they will trade WR aj brown,
The 49ers have been seeking help leading the way for several weeks and are in need of reinforcements on all three levels of their injury-plagued defense. The Ravens are getting hot and may be looking to make a move, although they have already made a move in Octoberto gain security alohi gilman From Chargers to Edge Rusher Odafe OwehAnd I expect the Cowboys to do something on defense – maybe a deal for a linebacker or a corner, if they can find someone who fits their profile.
