The NFL trade deadline is often treated like a homework assignment in school – wait until the very last minute to get started.
There are some overachievers who will start – and finish – early. There are people that work at a regular rate, finding a nice balance without breaking a sweat. And of course, there are those who use every last second before the proverbial buzzer sounds.
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It’s the latter group that typically runs the NFL trade deadline.
Jonathan Taylor and Brian Thomas Jr. figure to headline the list of trade candidates, barring a surprise. Could a quarterback be on the move? Or could it be another year that leaves the NFL world shocked due to a blockbuster that no one saw coming?
So many questions, so few answers. The deadline will be here soon enough, but the rumors are certainly swirling.
Here’s the latest news and rumors around the league:
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 5: The mascot of the Arizona Cardinals, Big Red, performs before the game against the Detroit Lions at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 5: The mascot of the Arizona Cardinals, Big Red, performs before the game against the Detroit Lions at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 5: New England Patriots cheerleaders perform during the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Gillette Stadium.
(David Butler II, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 5: San Francisco 49ers fans cheer as Brock Purdy #13 leaves the field after defeating the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on October 11, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.
(Steph Chambers, Getty Images)
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 5: A Seattle Seahawks fan cheers during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on October 11, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.
(Steph Chambers, Getty Images)
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 5: Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson does a Lambeau Leap after scoring a touchdown against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. The Packers defeated the Bears, 31-7.
(Sarah Kloepping, Green Bay Press-Gazette)
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 5: Fans look on from the stands during the game between the New York Giants and Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. The game ended in a 27-27 tie.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 5: The mascot of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Jaxson de Ville, performs before the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The Jaguars won the game, 19-17.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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NFL Week 5 highlights, standout performances and reactions
Week 5: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform before the “Thursday Night Football” game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium on October 8, 2026 in Arlington, Texas.
(Ron Jenkins, Getty Images)
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 5: Singer and songwriter Lainey Wilson dances with members of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders before the “Thursday Night Football” game between the Cowboys and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium.
(Ron Jenkins, Getty Images)
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 4: The San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush cheerleaders take the field before a game against the Denver Broncos at Levi’s Stadium.
(Darren Yamashita, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 4: Seattle Seahawks fans hold cutouts of quarterback Sam Darnold prior to the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Lumen Field.
(Joe Nicholson, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 4: Houston Texans mascot Toro and Superfan pose for a photo prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Reliant Stadium.
(Thomas Shea, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 4: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleaders perform before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Raymond James Stadium.
(Jonathan Dyer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 4: A young fan of the Baltimore Ravens looks on before the start of the game against the Tennessee Titans at M&T Bank Stadium.
(Tommy Gilligan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 4: Washington Commanders mascot Major Tuddy holds a camera during the second quarter of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England.
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
(Ron Chenoy, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 3: The Maracanã Stadium gets set to host the International Series game between the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 3: The Miami Dolphins cheerleaders perform during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Hard Rock Stadium.
(Sam Navarro, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 3: Corgi dog competitions take place during halftime of the game between the Detroit Lions and New York Jets at Ford Field.
(Lon Horwedel, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 3: Sports mascots compete against pee-wee football players S during halftime of the game between the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous, IndyStar, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 3: A fan looks on during warmups prior to the game between the Cleveland Browns and Carolina Panthers at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Nick Cammett, Getty Images)
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 2: Singer Taylor Swift watches the game between the Indianapolis Colts and Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
(David Eulitt, Getty Images)
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 2: The San Francisco 49ers cheerleaders perform during the game against the Miami Dolphins at Levi’s Stadium.
(Cary Edmondson, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 2: Denver Broncos mascot Thunder rides onto the field after a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Empower Field At Mile High.
(Justin Edmonds, Getty Images)
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 2: A Miami Dolphins fan reacts during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium.
(Cary Edmondson, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 2: Arizona Cardinals cheerleaders perform during the game against the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium.
(Joe Camporeale, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 2: Arizona Cardinals mascot Big Red poses for a photo prior to the game against the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 2: The Baltimore Ravens mascot performs prior to the game against New Orleans Saints at M&T Bank Stadium.
(Stephen Lew, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 2: Fans cheer prior to the game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High.
(Justin Edmonds, Getty Images)
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
(Gregory Fisher, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
(David Eulitt, Getty Images)
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 1: Houston Texans cheerleaders perform during the game against the Buffalo Bills at Reliant Stadium.
(Troy Taormina, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 1: New York Jets fans cheer their team against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium.
(Chris Carter, Getty Images)
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 1: Jacksonville Jaguars mascot Jaxson de Ville leads the team on the field before the game against the Cleveland Browns at EverBank Stadium.
(Melina Myers, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 1: The Los Angeles Rams cheerleaders perform at Melbourne Cricket Ground during the NFL International Series game in Australia.
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
(MARTIN KEEP, AFP via Getty Images)
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Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 1: Kim Thayil of Soundgarden and Mike McCready of Pearl Jam perform during halftime of the 2026 NFL Kickoff Game between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots at Lumen Field.
(Steph Chambers, Getty Images)
NFL trade rumors: Latest deadline news, rumors
Giants offered 2nd and 5th-round picks for Jonathan Taylor
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The Giants clearly have interest in Taylor, but they also have a price they’re willing to pay. That price would be a second and fifth-round pick, according to Glazer. The insider added that the offer was presented a “couple weeks ago” and is now off the table.
Josh Downs could be on the move
Schefter says that the Chiefs and Steelers are among the teams interested in Downs, noting that the receiver would likely be dealt for a fourth-round pick. Kansas City is in desperate need of a receiver to boost its offense, which is overly reliant on Kenneth Walker III this season.
Titans showing ‘no willingness’ to trade Tony Pollard
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Pollard is in the final year of his contract and will be a free agent after the season, which makes this entire situation a head-scratcher. It’s unclear what the Titans’ reason for not dealing Pollard would be. Tennessee could spin the decision as something that helps Cam Ward develop, but the other side of that is not capitalizing on a trade market that lacks a lot of options. At 1-7, it would make sense for the Titans to get what they can.
Derrick Henry won’t be traded
Baltimore’s season has taken a turn for the worse after a 4-1 start, something that now feels like a distant memory. Now losers of four in a row, the Lamar Jackson-less Ravens figure to be watching the playoffs from home this season. And that made many start to connect the dots on a potential trade involving Henry. That trade, at least according to Glazer, won’t be coming at the deadline.
When is the 2026 NFL trade deadline?
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The 2026 NFL trade deadline is set for Nov. 10, with 4 p.m. ET being the official cutoff. It’s the last opportunity for teams to make major changes to their rosters ahead of the season’s stretch run, leaving waivers and free agency as the last two avenues to improve before the offseason.
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