2025 NFL Trades Show Mixed Results as 2026 Deadline Approaches

Ordinary fans and players will see the effects of last season’s transactions when the 2026 NFL trade deadline arrives on November 10. The league expects a busy period, but the primary focus shifts from volume to value. Last year set a twenty-year record with twenty-seven in-season player changes. This year’s outcome depends on whether teams prioritize long-term roster balance over immediate wins.

The most notable failure involved the New York Jets and the Indianapolis Colts. The Jets traded cornerback Sauce Gardner to Indianapolis in exchange for Adonai Mitchell, a 2026 first-round pick, and a 2027 first-round pick. Gardner’s performance in seventeen games for the Colts was the worst of his career. This trade directly contributed to the midseason firing of Colts general manager Chris Ballard. Analysts graded the Jets an A and the Colts an F, noting that the 2027 pick surrendered by Indianapolis may now have high draft value.

In contrast, the Philadelphia Eagles and Miami Dolphins executed a successful exchange. Philadelphia acquired pass rusher Jaelan Phillips for a third-round pick. Phillips played some of his best football and helped the Eagles reach the playoffs. He subsequently signed a four-year, $120 million contract with the Carolina Panthers. This move should grant the Eagles a compensatory third-round pick in 2027, effectively neutralizing their original cost. Both teams received high grades, with the Eagles earning an A and the Dolphins an A-.

Smaller transactions also yielded positive results. The Pittsburgh Steelers added safety Kyle Dugger from New England for a seventh-round pick. Dugger filled the void left by DeShon Elliott’s injury, recording two interceptions, one sack, and a safety over nine games. The Steelers earned an A for the move, while the Patriots received a C. The Patriots had bought out the remainder of Dugger’s four-year extension at a cost of $5.4 million in cash plus roster bonuses.

Other deals showed moderate success. The Dallas Cowboys acquired defensive tackle Quinnen Williams from the Jets. Williams has recorded six tackles for loss through six games, the most by a Cowboys defensive tackle since 2013. He signed a three-year, $105.9 million extension, yet the Dallas defense remains inconsistent. The Cowboys received a B, while the Jets received a C. Seattle also fared well with receiver Rashid Shaheed, who returned two kickoffs for touchdowns during the season, including one in the playoffs. The Seahawks received a B+ for the deal.

The Cincinnati Bengals traded for quarterback Joe Flacco from the Cleveland Browns. Flacco kept the offense running while Joe Burrow recovered from a turf toe injury. He produced a 470-yard game and three consecutive outings of at least 33 points. However, the Bengals went 1-5 with Flacco as the starter due to defensive struggles. The Bengals received a B- and the Browns a B. The Seattle Seahawks also received a B+ for acquiring Rashid Shaheed, while the New Orleans Saints received a B for their part in that deal.