Giants Were Hesitant To Trade Stars Due To Job Security
Despite rumblings about a few of their players, the Giants had a quiet trade deadline.
Trading Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence never felt realistic. Teams seemed unlikely to pony up a first-round pick for edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux, who has just 2.5 sacks this season. And the Giants could not find takers on offensive lineman Evan Neal or wide receiver Jalin Hyatt, two players on expiring deals they were open to moving.
Uncertainty around the team’s future also lent itself to standing pat on Tuesday, per Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post. The Giants’ current regime desperately needs to show proof-of-concept with their current vision for the walker. Jettisoning two of their top young defenders could make the team look bad enough down the stretch to threaten the jobs of general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll.
However, the Giants are still realistic about their current standing and need to add talent in the offseason. They were only interested in players under contract through at least 2026, as trading draft picks for rentals would not better the team’s future.
There’s a careful balance to be struck there. At 2-6, the Giants may be content with a losing season if it means a top draft pick. Given the scrutiny on Schoen and Daboll, they may not be intentionally tanking, but adding a rental could help them win an extra game or two without boosting their overall playoff chances. At that point, the extra victories may not be worth the resulting drop in the draft order.
In a way, though, the Giants’ quiet deadline suggests that Schoen and Daboll believe that they have one more year in charge, but their jobs are not secure beyond that. Investing heavily in this year would suggest that they are on the hot seat right now, while trading Lawrence or Thibodeaux for future picks would indicate that they are committed to a long-term rebuild with Dart under center.
Instead, it seems like New York will be approaching the 2026 offseason with the hope of improving their roster around Dart and contending for an NFC playoff spot to show they’re capable of even more.
WR Rashid Shaheed Was Unlikely To Re-Sign With Saints
The Saints sent Rashid Shaheed to the Seahawks as part of Tuesday’s trade deadline frenzy, receiving fourth- and fifth-round picks for the veteran wide receiver.
New Orleans had previously set an asking price of a third-rounder, but they accepted less value for Shaheed knowing that he was hitting free agency in March. He was hesitant about the team’s quarterback situation, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, making him less likely to re-sign with the Saints.
Sure, the Saints may have been able to earn a compensatory draft pick if Shaheed left in free agency, but that would not come until 2027 and is no guarantee, either. It is also unlikely that Shaheed will receive a large enough contract to qualify for a third-rounder, and teams cannot receive multiple picks for one player through the compensatory system. As a result, the Seahawks’ offer was much better than what the Saints could hope to get by letting him walk in free agency.
Shaheed, meanwhile, lands in a better situation in Seattle. Sam Darnold is having another excellent season, and Shaheed seems positioned to slide into a deep-threat role in an offense that has only been able to rely on Jaxon Smith-Njigba downfield. That could help boost his stock before free agency, but the Seahawks also have their eye on quickly ascending the ranks of the NFC. You could argue they already have with a 6-2 start and top-10 units on both sides of the ball. That may inspire them to pursue an extension with Shaheed if he turns out to be a fit in Klint Kubiak‘s offense.
Jets Receiving Second-Round Offers On EDGE Jermaine Johnson
The Jets are continuing to take calls on Jermaine Johnson, with teams offering second-round picks in deals for the fourth-year edge rusher, per SNY’s Connor Hughes.
Johnson has been a popular trade target with the Jets thought to be seeking a second-round pick in exchange. New York seems to be going through a full roster reset after trading both Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams before the deadline. They are likely trying to garner as much draft capital as possible for a quarterback prospect in the next two years and rebuild their roster under their new regime.
Hughes’ specific wording – “offers include a second-round pick.” – and the timing of his report suggest that the Jets are being asked to send a pick back to an acquiring team as part of the deal. They may be trying to drum up better offers before the deadline elapses in less than two hours.
It seems likely that Johnson will be on his way out of New York later today, and other Jets like Breece Hall could also join the apparent fire sale. The Jets’ moves are arguably the most significant back-to-back trades made by a franchise in years, if not decades. They now have the draft picks to land their desired quarterback prospect in one of the next two drafts while also searching for new franchise cornerstones to replace the ones they just sent out of town.
Cardinals HC Jonathan Gannon On Kyler Murray: ‘Nothing’s Changed’
The Cardinals are not planning to keep Jacoby Brissett at quarterback after Kyler Murray returns from injury.
Murray has missed Arizona’s last three games with a foot injury. The offense has looked better with Brissett under center, averaging five more points per game in his starts compared to Murray’s. Brissett has three straight games with at least 260 passing yards and two touchdowns; Murray has none.
That has led to questions about the Cardinals sticking with Brissett after Murray comes back, but head coach Jonathan Gannon shut such talk down on Monday night.
“Nothing’s changed on that,” Gannon said (via ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss) when asked about making a change at quarterback.
However, the Cardinals have not found much success under Gannon and general manager Monti Ossenfort since they were hired together in 2023. They did not draft Murray or sign him to his current contract extension, and could be looking to find a different long-term quarterback that meshes better with their vision for the team.
It would still seem to be unwise for the Cardinals to bench Murray this year. Such a move could be an alarming sign to other teams and drop his trade value in the offseason, and he has enough guaranteed money remaining on his deal to make an outright release uncomfortable for Arizona’s salary cap.
It is also fair to wonder if Murray has been put in the best position to succeed. His results were much better with Kliff Kingsbury calling the offense rather than current OC Tommy Rees, and the Cardinals have not consistently had a strong offensive line since drafting Murray. The Cardinals seem to be approaching a major decision point regarding Murray’s future, but they seem unlikely to bench him before making that call.
Titans Asking ‘Reasonable’ Price For EDGE Arden Key
The Titans have set a “reasonable” trade price for veteran edge rusher Arden Key, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.
Several teams have been seeking reinforcements at the position, and Key has emerged as a player who is likely to be moved before Tuesday’s 4:00 p.m. trade deadline. The eight-year veteran logged 23.5 sacks and 25 tackles loss in his previous four seasons, but is off to a slower start this year with just 1.5 sacks and one TFL.
Some of Key’s other metrics have dropped, too. In 2024, he posted a 9.5% pressure rate and an 11.5% pass rush win rate, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). This season, those numbers are down to 8.4% and 8.2%, respectively. That’s not a precipitous collapse, though, and Key’s consistent production with three different teams since 2021 indicates that he still has something to contribute to a defense.
The Lions and the Patriots have both been mentioned in connection to Key, and other teams seeking a splashier addition off the edge could pivot to the less-heralded Titan as a backup option on Tuesday afternoon.
Key is owed $3.375MM for the rest of the season, per OverTheCap, making the financial cost of acquiring him relatively inexpensive, too. Given his expiring contract, a perceived fire sale in Tennessee, and clear interest in Key on the trade market, it seems like only a matter of time before he is moved.
Giants Looking To Trade OL Evan Neal
The Giants were hoping that Evan Neal would be their long-term starter – if not an All-Pro – at right tackle when they used the No. 7 pick on him in the 2022 draft.
That vision never materialized. Neal started 20 games across his first two seasons before suffering an ankle injury that eventually forced him onto injured reserve. The Giants signed Jermaine Eluemunor during the 2024 offseason to take over at right tackle and declined Neal’s fifth-year option, though he still started seven games that year after Andrew Thomas‘ season-ending foot injury.
At that point, though, it was clear that Neal did not have a future in New York, at least not at tackle. The Giants attempted to convert him into a guard this offseason, but the switch did not take and Neal has not appeared in a game this season. Now, the team is trying to take advantage of a quiet offensive line market by trying to move Neal before Tuesday afternoon’s trade deadline, according to The Exhibit’s Josina Anderson.
Neal has been mentioned in trade talks this year; the Raiders reportedly reached out to the Giants recently regarding his availability. Neal himself has even discussed the potential of being moved, but CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones is “not sure [the Giants] would give him away.”
Still, OL-needy teams like the Chargers and the Seahawks could believe in Neal’s original potential and bet on their scheme and coaching staff to finally get some steady play out of his 6-foot-7, 350-pound frame. He would only cost $550k for the rest of the season, per OverTheCap, and his trade value is so low that a Day 3 pick swap could probably get a deal done.
Texans Extend LB Jake Hansen
The Texans signed linebacker and special teams ace Jake Hansen to a one-year contract extension, per a team announcement.
The deal will keep Hansen in Houston through the 2026 season for a maximum value of $3MM, according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson.
Hansen, 27, signed with the Texans as an undrafted free agent out of Illinois in 2022. He made the 53-man roster as a rookie and appeared in 11 games with 205 snaps on defense and 148 on special teams. During the subsequent offseason, Houston brought in DeMeco Ryans as the team’s new coach, and Hansen could not carve out a role in his system.
He has only played 183 snaps on defense in the last three years, but his role on special teams has expanded. He contributes to every unit except the Texans’ kicking team, and this season, his 89.6 special teams grade and eight special teams tackles are top-10 marks in the league, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
Hansen earned a total of $2.57MM in his first three seasons and re-signed with the Texans for $1.7MM this offseason, per OverTheCap. He will earn another pay bump on his new deal, and Houston will keep one of their core special teams contributors around for another year.
Special teams work isn’t the most glamorous, but it is a reliable way to stick around in the NFL. As long as Hansen stays healthy, he will likely have a job in Houston, and may be prized by other special teams-focused teams in the league.
Bears DE Dayo Odeyingbo Out For Season With Torn Achilles
Bears defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo is out for the season with a torn Achilles suffered in a Week 9 victory over the Bengals, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Odeyingbo, originally a Colts second-round pick in 2021, arrived in Chicago this offseason on a three-year, $48MM deal. He started the Bears’ first eight games this year with a 75% snap share, but only logged one sack and two tackles for loss before his injury on Sunday.
Shemar Turner and Dominique Robinson are already dealing with injuries, so the Bears’ defensive line depth will be tested further by Odeyingbo’s absence. The return of Austin Booker from his knee injury will help, and 2022 seventh-rounder Daniel Hardy will likely be asked to play more snaps as well.
The Bears may regret their decision to release Tanoh Kpassagnon from their practice squad last month. He has since signed with the Colts’ practice squad, but Chicago could still sign him to its 53-man roster. The Bears also have Jonathan Garvin and Jamree Kromah on their own practice squad for game day elevations and/or a promotion to the active roster.
Odeyingbo’s debut season in Chicago will now be considered a disappointment due to his lack of production and, now, availability. Beyond his low counting stats, Odeyingbo has only logged a 4.8% pressure rate and a 8.9% pass rush win rate, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Last year, those numbers were 9.6% and 12.6%, respectively.
The 26-year-old edge rusher will likely aim to return by the beginning of the 2026 season when he can retake a starting job opposite Montez Sweat. The Bears may still bring in some depth off the edge to bolster a pass rush that has not consistently gotten to opposing quarterbacks this season. Their defense overall has been a bottom-10 unit, but their results on the other side of the ball appear to be proof-of-concept for the Ben Johnson–Caleb Williams partnership. A return from Odeyingbo and additional investments in the defense could help them take a bigger leap in 2026.
Patriots Had Interest In Jaelan Phillips
The Patriots had interested in Jaelan Phillips before the Dolphins traded him to the Eagles on Monday morning, according to Mike Giardi of the Boston Sports Journal.
New England sent Keion White to the 49ers last week, likely because he did not fit in new head coach Mike Vrabel‘s vision for the defense. That raised the need for a third edge rusher behind Harold Landry and K’Lavon Chaisson. Phillips would have fit the bill, but it seems that the Patriots were not willing to beat the Eagles’ offer. Miami also may have hesitated to trade Phillips within the division.
The Patriots have made a huge leap under Vrabel to start the 2025 season with a 7-2 record and a +68 point differential. They lead the AFC East with one of the easiest remaining schedules in the league, making them a contender not only for a divisional title, but a top playoff seed as well. That could inspire an aggressive trade-deadline investment in their pass rush to take advantage of an impressive season thus far. Upgrading a defense that has already excelled this year could mean even more if and when the Patriots play the AFC’s best offenses in the postseason.
Giardi also notes that Arden Key may make more sense for the amount of draft capital that the Patriots are willing to move. The Titans seem to be full-on sellers after firing Brian Callahan, and Key’s production has dipped enough for him to be a cheap acquisition. A trade to the Patriots would reunite Vrabel with another of his pass rushers from his time in Tennessee – the first being Landry.
Bills S Jordan Poyer Likely To Retire After Season
After 13 years in the NFL, Bills safety Jordan Poyer is expecting to hang up his cleats after the 2025 season.
“Look, I’m not naïve” Poyer said last week (via WGRZ’s Jonathan Acosta). “This is most likely my last one. I’m trying to enjoy every moment: the good, the bad, the indifferent and just be part of this team for this run and go out the right way.”
Poyer was drafted in 2013 by the Eagles and spent his first four years in the NFL with the Browns. He then signed with the Bills in 2017 to form one of the league’s top safety duos with Micah Hyde. The two played next to each other for the next seven years before both left Buffalo during the 2024 offseason as part of the team’s salary cap reset in preparation for the extensions they have handed out over the last 18 months.
Poyer signed with the division rival Dolphins, a move he admitted was “a little bit out of frustration, a little bit out of anger about the situation, wanting to see Buffalo twice a year.” But a rough season in Miami had Poyer yearning for a reunion with his longtime team.
“The game tested my soul last year,” Poyer said. “The team I was on, we weren’t connected. It was tough to go to work every day, and it took a lot out of me.”
Poyer has started the Bills’ last two games after Taylor Rapp‘s Week 8 injury that is expected to end his 2025 season. The safety position was already somewhat of a weakness for Buffalo, so the defense will be counting on Poyer’s veteran experience to tide the unit over through the end of the regular season and into the playoffs.