The trade deadline has passed, and we had a flurry of deals right at the whistle. The Jets traded two of their best defenders away, receivers were on the move from stinkers to contenders, and the Colts took a big swing to improve their defense. Here are the winners and losers of these deals, both teams and players who are better and worse off with their new homes.
Winners: New York Jets Rebuild
Dec 28, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) breaks up a pass intended for Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) during the second half during the first half at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
The Jets cleaned house, unloading both Quinnen Williams to the Cowboys and Sauce Gardner to the Colts. They netted 3 first-round picks, a second-round pick, and two potential projects in Mazi Smith and Adonai Mitchell. Mazi was a first-round pick who didn’t pop largely due to mishandling by the Cowboys staff. Mitchell has undeniable talent and was probably dropped by the Colts mainly because of his bonehead fumble in the end zone.
It was abundantly clear the Jets were not competitive this year and that they haven’t quite found their quarterback. Loading up on picks to try and find him and lay the groundwork is the absolute best thing they can be doing. Hopefully, they can capitalize on those picks and build a contending team in the next few years. They now have the ammo to trade up and grab their QB of the future, whether it be in 2026 or 2027.
Losers: Indianapolis Colts
Sep 14, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) works to evade tackle by Denver Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto (15) against the Denver Broncos at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: INDIANAPOLIS STAR-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
The Colts did land a high-level corner in Sauce Gardner, but it was arguably an overpay. Indy clearly believes they are a contender this year, and they may be right. Gardner certainly improves their chances in the short term, as he can be a lockdown corner at his best. However, this is also a huge gamble on Daniel Jones. If he goes pumpkin mode, all of a sudden you have an expensive contract dragging you down, and no first-round picks to find a new QB. If Jones stays hot, this could be the kind of move that puts them over the edge in a deep playoff run. But if their fortunes turn, this could end up looking like a massive overpay and be a disaster for the organization. Historically, betting against Daniel Jones seems like smarter money, which is why this move is very questionable for the Colts.
Winners: Dallas Cowboys
Oct 1, 2020; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (95) tackles Denver Broncos quarterback Brett Rypien (4) by the facemask with cornerback Pierre Desir (35) during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
The Cowboys made two moves right at the deadline, and both were pretty shrewd in my opinion. First, they picked up Logan Wilson from the Bengals for pennies on the dollar, just a seventh-rounder. For a team that desperately needs to rebuild its defense, Wilson is likely better than what they would have gotten in the draft and can step in and help right away. The Cowboys also got an impact defender from the Jets, trading a 2026 second-rounder and a 2027 first-rounder for Pro Bowl DT Quinnen Williams. They also got to move on from Mazi Smith, who was a first-round disappointment for them. Suddenly, even after shedding Micah Parsons, the Cowboys’ defense looks formidable, and DT is now a strength for the Cowboys when they have historically struggled at that spot. They also retain an extra 2026 first, so they still have the ammo for the upcoming draft to really make a run next year. Micah Parsons for Kenny Clark, Quinnen Williams, and a first-round pick suddenly doesn’t look like too bad of a trade when factoring in the money Dallas saved.
Losers: Jacksonville Jaguars
Dec 14, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers in the first quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
The Jags traded a fourth and sixth-round pick for Jakobi Meyers, an underrated young slot receiver from the Raiders. Obviously, Jacksonville probably didn’t plan on trading even more assets for a receiver after spending their last two first-rounders both on receivers, including a costly trade-up for Travis Hunter. But injuries and the curious underperformance of Brian Thomas Jr. have led them here. Meyers’ contract ends after this year, and trading two picks for a rental when you’re already short draft capital doesn’t seem like a smart move. I would have preferred them to stay conservative, but they clearly believe they are still in play to win their division in an off year for Houston. Hopefully, they can lock down Meyers long-term to make their investment worth it, but if he walks, this will end up being a pretty short-sighted move.
Winners: Seattle Seahawks
Oct 7, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) catches a touchdown pass during the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
The Seahawks already look like one of the best offenses in the league, having dropped 38 on the Commanders with a literal perfect half of football from Sam Darnold. Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba already look like one of the best duos in the league, and now they have a speedy field stretcher in Rashid Shaheed. They traded a fourth and fifth rounder back to New Orleans, but if Shaheed gives them extra firepower to make a playoff run, that will look like a pittance. The Seahawks are a talented young team, and they can afford to spend on luxuries like a gadget speed guy. This offense was already scary, and is now one of the most terrifying in the league.
Losers: Mazi Smith and Adonai Mitchell
October 8, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Mazi Smith (58) after the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Sorry, but going to bed with the best record in the league or with a star on your helmet and then waking up as a member of the New York Jets is never a win. Both of these players have faced struggles with the teams that drafted them, but they both possess talent. We always wish the best for them, but the Jets are a black hole for talent and easily one of the worst organizations in the league. We can always hope these guys turn their careers around and capitalize on their talents, but there are few places harder to thrive in than MetLife Stadium.
Winners: Philadelphia Eagles
Nov 28, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips (15) sacks Carolina Panthers quarterback P.J. Walker (6) during the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Howie Roseman has done it again, folks. The Eagles already brought Brandon Graham back from retirement to help their pass rush, and this move helps their pass rush even more. Phillips has been injury-prone, but when he’s healthy, he’s a force on the edge. Edge is perhaps the only weakness of this stacked Philly roster, so of course, Howie plugged it with just a third-round pick. They even added two new DBs as well, buoying another area where they have struggled in the past. For both Jaire Alexander and Michael Carter, the Eagles only had to make pick swaps from the sixth to the seventh round. The Eagles also held on to AJ Brown despite all the rumors, so their offense will be as explosive as ever. The Eagles are still very scary, and even in a very stacked NFC, they look poised to mount a strong title defense.
