The trade deadline delivered in ways no one was expecting in 2025, we had a fire sale from the New York Jets, surprise contenders solidifying their offense, and some big decisions from Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones - something us NFL fans have been accustomed to for quite some time now.
These trades could have a huge impact on not only this season, with the Seahawks, Colts and Jaguars all adding weapons in order to secure status as playoff contenders, but it could also have huge implications for years to come, as the Jets acquire a hefty amount of early round 2026 and 2027 draft picks, that could turn their organisation around completely with a great draft hall, despite trading away their two best defenders.
Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers finally got his move away from the Raiders after requesting a trade ahead of this season, the Philadelphia Eagles continued to bolster their team by picking up an outside linebacker in Jaelen Phillips.
Sauce Gardner was traded from the Jets, to the surprise of fans everywhere and even himself, having just signed an extension last season.
So, now that the dust has settled, let's break down the biggest moves of the 2025 NFL trade deadline.
- 1 - Sauce Gardner →Indianapolis Colts
The New York Jets made the biggest splash at the deadline, starting with trading their star young corner in Gardner to the Colts in return for a 2026 and 2027 first-round pick and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell.
This trade is a clear statement of intent for both teams, as the Colts continue to impress this season, they sure up their secondary by bringing in a premier corner in Gardner, as they look to obtain their first division title since 2014.
Whilst the Jets lose one of their best players, and one of the league’s best young defenders, they get a huge return in the form of two first round picks and a young wide receiver as they begin a rebuild under new management.
On the surface, it looks as though the Jets won this trade, as the Colts give up two first rounders, the same as the Packers gave up for Micah Parsons, and Gardner provides nowhere near the same level of impact and production on defense, and hasn't done since his rookie season. Despite that, the Colts do drastically improve in a position of need, and this acquisition can only help them on defence this season. Only time will tell whether the Jets can make the most of these draft picks, and turn them into contenders for 2026 and 2027.
So, whilst this season has been a disappointing one for the green side of New York, the future certainly looks bright if they use this draft capital responsibly, and they weren’t done garnering future picks either.
- 2 - Quinnen Williams →Dallas Cowboys
The Jets continued their fire sale, by trading away a second key defensive player for them in DT Quinnen Williams earning a second and first round pick, in 2026 and 2027 respectively, as young DT Mazi Smith.
The Cowboys continue to try and sure up their run defense, and now with Williams in the trenches for them, they certainly have done just that. Whilst they did give up a lot for someone who has slowed down in recent years, if Williams can get back to his best, the Cowboys have a great player on their hands, and at only 27, he still has a great career ahead of him.
For the Jets, they secure more early round draft picks for 2026 and 2027, and gain a direct replacement for Williams, in the younger Mazi Smith. Whilst these two trades have meant losing their two best defensive players for the Jets, they now have 5 first-round picks and three second-round picks across the next two drafts, and they gained two good young talents in Adonai Mitchell and Mazi Smith, and whilst neither is yet to reach their potential, the Jets could be building a special young team in the next two or three seasons.
- 3 - Jakobi Meyers → Jacksonville Jaguars
After requesting a trade at the start of the year, wide receiver Jakobi Meyers finally gets his move as the Las Vegas Raiders trade him to the Jaguars for a fourth and a sixth-round pick in next year’s draft.
After injuries to receivers Brian Thomas Jr, Travis Hunter and Dyami Brown, the Jags find a replacement in Meyers, who provides solid cover and poses a threat to defence whenever he’s on the field.
After adding Meyers, have a formidable passing attack, which could take them far this season.
In return, the Raiders, who sit bottom of the AFC West, obtain a draft pick on each of say 2 and 3 in the 2026 draft. This trade allowed them to earn some more draft capital and move an unhappy player.
This season Meyers has put up 352 receiving yards this season in 7 games, but is yet to score a touchdown. The Jags will be hoping he can return to form, whilst the Raiders can be pretty happy with what they got in return Meyers, who isn’t getting any younger and has struggled, along with the rest of the Raiders’ offense.
- 4 - Rashid Shaheed →Seattle Seahawks
Another receiver was on the move at the deadline as the New Orleans Saints traded Rashid Shaheed to the Seattle Seahawks, they received a fourth and fifth rounder in 2026 in return.
Seattle add another offensive weapon for quarterback Sam Darnold who has had an impressive start to life as a Seahawk. Shaheed has 499 yards receiving with 2 touchdowns so far in 2025 and is a deep threat to be paired alongside Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp.
The Saints continue in their rebuilding phase by trading Shaheed, as they look to build around quarterback Spencer Rattler. Although they probably could have gotten more in return for the 27-year-old. Shaheed is younger and poses more of a speed threat than Meyers, who has struggled this season, so to only get a fourth and fifth round pick, considering Meyers was traded for a fourth and sixth round pick, feels as though the Saints undervalued Shaheed.
- 5 - Jaelen Phillips →Philadelphia Eagles
Finally, the Philadelphia Eagles picked up linebacker Jaelen Phillips from the Miami Dolphins in return for a 2026 3rd-round pick.
Phillips boosts the Eagles’ struggling pass rush, and adds a much needed threat on the outside for the reigning Super Bowl champs as he ranks 8th among linebackers in pass rush win rate and 12th in pressure rate.
The Dolphins have really struggled all over this season, and entertained trades for Bradley Chubb, Matthew Judon and even reportedly had a call from the Denver Broncos about receiver Jaylen Waddle, but it was only Phillips who would be packing his bags and making a move.
The Eagles will be hoping to go back to back in 2025, as they currently sit top of the NFC East, and the addition of Phillips puts them well on their way.
The dust has settled, but the ripple effects of these trades are only just beginning. A few contenders might have found the missing piece; others may look back and wonder if they gave up too much. As November football turns into December drama, the true winners and losers of the 2025 trade deadline will reveal themselves on the field - where it matters most.
