Throughout the first half of the NFL season, analysts have focused on the moves teams needed to make at this week’s trade deadline to shape their postseason chances. By now, teams have a clear sense of their potential, and those with championship aspirations need to act decisively at the deadline to boost their Super Bowl hopes.
This year, NFL teams made 8 trades on trade deadline day for the 2025 season, the second-highest total since 1990. The record is 10 trades in a single deadline. Several teams acted as “buyers” to bolster their rosters, while others started freeing up salary cap space for offseason moves.
There were trade deals that simply allowed teams to move players off their roster to help cut their losses on players, but there were also a few teams that made trades with the intention of making a run to the Super Bowl this season. Another strategy that teams commonly employ at the trade deadline is the decision not to make any moves, as those teams are confident in their roster up to this point in the season.
The New York Jets Decide to Start Over…Again
The New York Jets took advantage of the trade deadline to move players off their roster and reduce their salary cap obligations. In two separate deals, the Jets made the decision to trade Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for defensive tackle Mazi Smith and multiple draft picks, and they also decided to trade cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts. The Jets’ decision to move two of their top playmakers to free up salary cap space while preparing for a rebuild.
No team likes to discuss tanking for a high draft pick. Still, collecting draft picks and working toward a prime draft position would be huge for the Jets. The team’s front office denies planning to intentionally tank the rest of their season. However, it seems obvious that they hope to set up a major turnaround next season under first-year head coach Aaron Glenn.
Championship Contenders went All-In
Several championship contenders went all-in this season. The Indianapolis Colts traded with the Jets for cornerback Sauce Gardner to strengthen their secondary. Dallas added Jets defensive lineman Quinnen Williams and Cincinnati linebacker Logan Wilson. Philadelphia made three moves, increasing depth at cornerback and bringing in edge rusher Jaelen Phillips.
In contrast, the Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, and the Denver Broncos demonstrated confidence in their current rosters by making no trades at the deadline, despite their specific roster needs. Only time will tell whether each team accurately assessed its situation and made a sound decision, or if those who acted did so emotionally without championship results.
The Decision to make No Moves = Confidence?
In addition to the deals made by teams at the 2025 trade deadline, there were also teams that chose not to move players that everyone assumed would be traded. The top of that list is the Cincinnati Bengals and defensive end Trey Hendrickson. Heading into the 2025 season, the Bengals’ front office and Hendrickson struggled to reach an agreement on Hendrickson’s contract. Eventually, the Bengals and Hendrickson reached a last-minute agreement to ensure Hendrickson could play on the Bengals’ defense. It was assumed by many that Hendrickson would be traded for draft capital, but Cincinnati decided to keep Hendrickson on its roster.
Another move not made was the Eagles’ attempt to trade A.J. Brown. Brown publicly requested a trade early in the season, but GM Howie Roseman could not commit to moving him. Several other high-profile players also requested trades early in the season. Many of these predicted moves were likely strategic, helping players gain leverage in contract negotiations with their teams.
