It’s course correction time in the NFL.
Tuesday’s trade deadline is a big one, and with teams going in different directions as the season winds down, NFL insiders believe this year’s negotiation list could be bigger than ever. One team, the Indianapolis Colts, is already in vendor mode and another, the Chicago Bears; He swung for the fences in a deal for defensive lineman Jeffrey Simmons.
What other deals might be around the corner?
Let’s dive into current affairs.
When the Indianapolis Colts fired general manager Chris Ballard, he prompted the first trade move from an organization that looked set to begin a rebuild. The Colts traded guard Quinton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks, and sent DeForest Buckner back to the NFC West in a deal with the San Francisco 49ers.
Those moves, combined with wide receiver Josh Downs being asked for a trade, prompted the idea of a “fire sale” in Indianapolis. Not only does Downs have an offense that is hoping for a deep playoff run, but running back Jonathan Taylor could be the most intriguing player available before Tuesday’s deadline.
But Indianapolis may be hitting the pause button on that fire sale, at least for a few days. According to the NFL Inside Jordan Schultzthe Colts are waiting to see how the Week 9 game against the Dallas Cowboys goes before “revisiting the offers on the table and making a meaningful trade on Monday and Tuesday before the deadline.”
Here at SB Nation, we’ve seen the potential Taylor’s accommodation for both And It’s already coming down.
Those teams may have to wait a few more days before a trade is completed.
How about those Dallas Cowboys?
Dallas is in great shape. The Cowboys sit at 3-5 and are coming off a devastating overtime loss to the Arizona Cardinals, which might lead you to believe they will be sellers on the deadline. But that same 3-5 record is good enough for second in the NFC East, and just one game behind the New York Giants in the win column.
So what do the cowboys do?
One thing they won’t do is reportedly trade wide receiver George Pickins. NFL commissioner Ian Rapoport reported that he would be “more than shocked” if the team moved the wide receiver.
Although Pickens is not under contract next year, Rapoport finds it difficult to believe that the Cowboys will be sellers at the end of the NFC East, and that an easy schedule is coming.
But can they really be buyers?
It ended on ESPNJeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano believe the Cowboys could do something more against a defense that continues to struggle by identifying Arizona pass rusher Josh Laub as an option.
Cardinals outfielder Josh Labe has been in contact with Dallas, possibly in the pass rush market, but has yet to make a move. The sense I’m getting from teams in the rusher market is that Labs will opt for a new deal as part of a trade — or at least the sweetener, such as increasing his $18.1 million salary this year or next year. He’s in the second year of a $76 million, four-year contract, so wanting to re-work him early in the deal could be a deal breaker.
After adding several pieces to his defense last year, through free agency, trades and the draft, Jerry Jones may be motivated to add one more.
The Chicago Bears made a big addition on the defensive line by bringing in Jeffrey Simmons in a deal with the Tennessee Titans. That trade paid immediate dividends in Chicago’s Week 8 win over the Seattle Seahawks. Consider these statistics He won from Bears writer Courtney Cronin.
According to Next Gen Stats, in the 48 plays Simmons has been on the field, the Seahawks have been held to 3.0 yards per game (3 sacks, INT). In their eight games on the road, Seattle averaged 13.3 yards per play.
Darnold completed less than 50% of his passes to Simmons on the field and was a perfect 5-of-5 with a touchdown.
But can Chicago add another player to that defensive front?
Seth Walder believes they can.And the Miami Dolphins are looking at pass rusher Josh Uche as that player.
“Dolphins edge Josh Uche,” Walder wrote. “The Bears paid a ton to get Simmons, so I imagine they’ll be looking for a deal for the rest of the season. But they could still use some help on the edge, and Uche will contribute to that rotation along with Montez Labb, Austin Booker and Daniel Hardy. Uche is in the 60th percentile this season, 5th percentile in passing and 5th in edge rush wins. He scored a rank.
Adding Uche on the edge would give that defensive line another big boost.
Steelers not trading for WR?
A consistent rumor this offseason has been that the Pittsburgh Steelers will add wide receiver to give Aaron Rodgers another target in the playoffs as the team looks to make the playoffs.
But longtime Pittsburgh insider Gerry Dulac poured some cold water on that idea Wednesday.
In his weekly chat with readers, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writer has been asked several questions about the Steelers adding a WR ahead of the deadline. Dulac has pushed back on those rumors each time.
“They’re not taking anything seriously,” Dulac wrote. “What I’m hearing is whether or not they’re likely to make a trade, but like I always say, never underestimate the desperation of an NFL GM knocking for a deal.”
Pittsburgh has made additions to the WR class over the past two years. The Steelers traded for DK Metcalf before the 2025 season, traded for Michael Pittman Jr. last offseason, and drafted both Germey Bernard and Kaden Wetien last spring. While Steelers fans may love the idea of one more WR, they may be disappointed come Tuesday night.
What about Brian Thomas Jr.?
Astute observers posted the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Halloween message in part as “tools,” featuring some talented players around quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
In particular, they noted the absence of Brian Thomas Jr.:
In the year A 2024 first-round pick, Thomas never lived up to the billing in Jacksonville. And teams in need of WR help should at least inquire about his availability.
Two such groups? Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers. Both teams have dealt with injuries at the WR position, and Both teams should be looking to add to that position Before the deadline.