As the NFL trade deadline rapidly approaches, front offices across the league are working feverishly behind the scenes, and the rumor mill is spinning at a blistering pace. With teams evaluating their rosters, identifying glaring weaknesses, and deciding whether to buy, sell, or hold steady for the stretch run, speculation has reached a fever pitch.
Ahead of Sunday’s slate of games, a flurry of reports, inquiries, and firm organizational stances have shed light on how various franchises plan to approach the closing window. From surprising interest in veteran quarterbacks and disgruntled wide receivers to outright rejections of blockbuster star-player deals, the landscape of the league remains highly fluid as the clock ticks down toward Tuesday’s final deadline.
The Daniel Jones trade market
Yes, that is correct. Despite a turbulent landscape and a challenging season for his franchise, there is indeed an active trade market for veteran quarterback Daniel Jones.
According to reports from ESPN, the Indianapolis Colts have received trade inquiries from "multiple teams" regarding the veteran signal-caller. Jones is currently slated to start under center for the Colts on Sunday as they prepare to face the Dallas Cowboys. Earlier in the week, league sources indicated that Indianapolis was intentionally adopting a wait-and-see approach, opting to see how Week 9 unfolds before finalizing any additional roster moves. This hesitation persists even as the rest of the NFL operates under the strong impression that the Colts are heading toward a mini "fire sale," having already parted ways with standout guard Quenton Nelson and formidable defensive lineman DeForest Buckner.
While running back Jonathan Taylor has commanded the bulk of media attention surrounding Indianapolis’ potential roster dismantling, ESPN notes that the Baltimore Ravens were among the interested parties that checked in on Jones before ultimately pivoting to execute a trade with the Arizona Cardinals for Jacoby Brissett. Meanwhile, fresh speculation has naturally centered on the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings enter Week 9 boasting an impressive 6-1 record, yet they have fought through notable offensive struggles that could prompt them to seek an upgrade or added stability at the position.
The market dynamics are further complicated by Jones’ contract situation. He signed a lucrative two-year, $88 million contract extension back in March, which includes financial layers that impact prospective suitors. Most notably, Jones possesses a $10.51 million injury guarantee for the 2027 season. That figure is scheduled to become fully guaranteed on March 15, provided he remains securely on the Colts’ roster.
However, with the Colts sitting at a disappointing 2-6 and facing long odds in the playoff race, there is a realistic possibility that Indianapolis could eventually bench Jones later in the year to prevent him from sustaining a major injury that would lock in that future financial commitment. ESPN reported that if Jones were genuinely eager to secure a fresh start and play elsewhere immediately, he possesses the option to waive that future injury guarantee to facilitate a deal.
Furthermore, analysts are left wondering if the Colts’ deliberate decision to hold off on trades until after Sunday’s slate of games is designed, at least in part, to leave the door cracked open for another team to suddenly develop a desperate, pressing need at the quarterback position due to an unfortunate injury to a starting signal-caller during the weekend action.
What about Josh Downs?
Daniel Jones is far from the only high-profile player on the Indianapolis roster capturing the attention of opposing general managers. Dynamic wide receiver Josh Downs has already formally requested a trade from the organization in the wake of the major deals that sent Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner out of town.
According to reports from prominent NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter, the Colts have actively communicated to prospective trade partners that an official offer of a fourth-round draft pick for the young wide receiver has already been put on the table. Initially, Indianapolis had set a higher asking price, requesting a third-round selection in exchange for Downs. Given the high demand for young, cost-controlled pass-catchers across the league, industry observers expect the Colts to test the market thoroughly to see if they can squeeze out a better return before agreeing to pull the trigger on a deal.
Jaguars looking for defensive playmakers
The Jacksonville Jaguars currently look like one of the absolute elite forces in the National Football League, coming directly off an imposing Thursday night blowout victory over the Baltimore Ravens.
Yet, despite their strong positioning and overall success, the front office is actively scanning the market to bolster the defensive side of the football. The urgency was accelerated significantly when the Jaguars suffered a major blow, losing interior defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton for the remainder of the season due to a torn quadriceps muscle. Consequently, adding reinforcement along the defensive line has emerged as a glaring, pressing need for the coaching staff.
To acquire that necessary help, Jacksonville possesses a valuable trade asset at a position where several other NFL teams are desperately seeking upgrades: wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. According to ESPN, the Jaguars have received "multiple inquiries on [Thomas] in recent years while resisting all overtures."
However, with Thomas experiencing a noticeable decline in offensive involvement—he played a mere 19 snaps against Baltimore on Thursday night and failed to catch a single pass—this moment might finally present the optimal window for the franchise to move him. Among the organizations closely monitoring the situation are the Kansas City Chiefs, who have "continued to be intrigued by Thomas." It is entirely plausible that Jacksonville could leverage that interest to wrestle much-needed defensive help away from the defending contenders.
Ravens not expected to deal Derrick Henry
Despite a difficult stretch and recent struggles that have temporarily halted their momentum, the Baltimore Ravens are not expected to trade star running back Derrick Henry before the Tuesday deadline arrives.
Baltimore’s recent four-game losing skid, compounded by a thumb injury to franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson, initially sparked widespread speculation that the Ravens might pivot into a position as sellers ahead of the deadline. Naturally, this narrative opened the floodgates for rumors regarding Henry’s long-term future with the organization.
However, the powerful running back quickly shut down those narratives himself, stating firmly after Thursday night’s loss to the Jaguars that he is not "going anywhere else." So far, the team’s internal actions and public posture have aligned entirely with that assessment. ESPN reported that the Ravens are simply not "expected to trade" Henry. Furthermore, their recent trade acquisition of Jacoby Brissett serves as a clear indicator that Baltimore intends to fight their way back into the playoff picture rather than waving a white flag on the current campaign.
Titans “open to offers” on Calvin Ridley
While Josh Downs stands out as a primary name among available wide receivers on the market, Calvin Ridley represents another prominent AFC South pass-catcher who could potentially be on the move before the deadline expires.
While the Tennessee Titans have made it clear they have zero intention of trading running back Tony Pollard, the front office is reportedly "listening" to trade offers for Calvin Ridley, according to ESPN. Any interested suitor could potentially acquire the veteran receiver in exchange for a modest late-round draft pick. As ESPN noted, the Kansas City Chiefs are actively calling around the league in search of wide receiver depth, with the San Francisco 49ers and the Pittsburgh Steelers also maintaining a watchful eye on the market.
Even so, lingering questions remain regarding whether Pittsburgh will actually pull the trigger on a trade for a wide receiver. Earlier in the week, longtime Steelers beat writer Gary Dulac expressed strong skepticism, remaining adamant that the franchise was not going to acquire a receiver ahead of Tuesday’s hard deadline. Whether that internal stance shifts as the final hours approach remains to be seen.
Chargers not trading any of their stars
A remarkably brutal start to the season for the Los Angeles Chargers has predictably fueled open, widespread speculation regarding the organizational future of several key figures. Rumors have swirled around everyone from head coach Jim Harbaugh to offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, alongside persistent questions regarding the trade availability of several high-priced star players, including franchise quarterback Justin Herbert, promising wide receiver Ladd McConkey, and veteran pass-rusher Khalil Mack.
However, those external inquiries have been met with absolute, uncompromising "hard nos" from the Chargers’ front office in response.
Harbaugh directly addressed the relentless Mack speculation earlier in the week, offering a clear and direct message to reporters by stating, "I want Khalil Mack here. Khalil Mack wants to be here." Similarly, any exploratory calls placed to inquire about the availability of both Herbert and McConkey have been swiftly and decisively rebuffed. Even though the Chargers currently hold virtually no realistic chance of securing a postseason berth, the organization "doesn’t like the message of giving up on the season," according to ESPN, choosing instead to protect the core foundation of their roster for the future.