Trade Rumors: Dolphins, Jennings, Sweat, Patriots, Chargers, Bills
We’ve seen a bit of a change of trade deadline strategy in Miami since the departure of former general manager Chris Grier. With Grier, the Dolphins were not planning on being very active at the trade deadline. There was some thought that interim GM Champ Kelly would be a bit more open to hearing offers, and after some initial refusal of that notion, the team has changed its tune.
We’ve seen this a bit in rumors, as edge rushers Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb, and Matt Judon have been the subject of some calls, and the Dolphins have even seemed more open to the idea of trading wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. According to Armando Salguero of OutKick, team owner Stephen Ross “approved of” — and even encouraged — Kelly selling off valuable players, if he could.
Additionally, per Salguero, Ross informed head coach Mike McDaniel that his job was safe for the season and would continue to be safe “if he can rally the team.” It’s anyone’s guess how McDaniel is expected to improve the team’s performance as the front office auctions off its best players, but that appears to be the challenge posed to the fourth-year head coach. This challenge puts particular stress on McDaniel’s handling of the quarterback position moving forward, following rumors that Tua Tagovailoa could face a demotion from his starting role.
Here are a few other rumors as we have under 48 hours remaining until the trade deadline:
- 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings has worked his way up from the practice squad in his rookie season to a full-time starting role in his fifth year with the team. Jennings sought an extension in the offseason, and he threatened a trade request in order to gain leverage in negotiations. Some teams reportedly called at the time, but with so many injuries at the position already, San Francisco rebuffed them. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, those same teams appear to be interested again. Head coach Kyle Shanahan has claimed he “would be very surprised” if Jennings gets dealt, mostly because they’ve yet to see the return from injury this year of Brandon Aiyuk. Rapoport suggests that, aside from that, Jennings wouldn’t be off the table.
- We’ve already reported that the Titans appear to be open for business in the trade market with every player except rookie No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward and starting defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. Any other player is seemingly available. Some have been surprised that this apparently includes last year’s second-round defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat, but Terry McCormick of TitansInsider.com sees the reasoning. Per McCormick, the team has “not been enamored with him” so far. If someone with interest in the 24-year-old out of Texas comes with the right price, it sounds like Tennessee would be willing to part with him.
- With Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson dealing with his recent toe injury, and with New England’s rushers underwhelming so far this year overall, rumors have made the rounds that the team could be looking at the position in the trade market. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels attempted to silence those rumors, per Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald, telling the media, “I think we have all the answers we need.” With Stevenson out today, the Patriots leaned on rookie second-round pick TreVeyon Henderson and RB3 Terrell Jennings against Atlanta. They also recently signed veteran D’Ernest Johnson to the practice squad and called him up for the game. Despite no single back averaging more than 35 rushing yards per game this season, McDaniels is apparently comfortable with his stable.
- On Saturday, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported that the Chargers were “exploring potential offensive line additions” on the trade market. If they weren’t before, they sure are now. Already dealing with a season-ending injury to left tackle Rashawn Slater and injuries this week to right guard Mekhi Becton and backup tackle Austin Deculus, Los Angeles saw its other original starter Joe Alt and replacement starter Bobby Hart exit today’s game with injuries. Down to their third options at both tackle spots, the Chargers may need to get active if they plan on continuing their push for the playoffs.
- In regard to the Bills‘ pursuit of wide receiver help through the trade market, while a specific name to add hasn’t yet emerged, another name seemingly has. According to Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic, if Buffalo makes an addition via trade and a corresponding move is needed to fit them on the 53-man roster, depth cornerback Brandon Codrington would be the likeliest cut candidate.
Cardinals Not Interested In Selling Before Trade Deadline
Despite a 2-5 start to the season, the Cardinals are not interested in selling players before Tuesday’s trade deadline, per Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio.
Arizona is currently in last place in the NFC West with their three divisional rivals all sitting at five wins or better. With a 1% chance of making the postseason, according to The Athletic, the Cardinals could be seen as sellers, but the team seems to be more confident internally. Their five losses have come by a combined 13 points, with no margin of defeat bigger than four points; their two wins, meanwhile, were by five points or more.
Kyler Murray has also been dealing with a foot injury that sidelined him for the Cardinals’ last two games, both losses. He is not expected to play on Monday against the Cowboys, either. However, the star quarterback’s return and some better results in close games could fuel a second-half playoff run.
A loss to the Cowboys on Monday night would drop Arizona to 2-6 and all but end their postseason hopes. That could change their mind about not selling players, but it is unclear who would even be available. They do not have many players on expiring contracts; the only two notable names that could be of interest to other teams are defensive tackle Calais Campbell and safety Jalen Thompson.
Campbell, who is still playing excellent football in his age-39 season, is the type of player that is coveted by playoff contenders this time of year. However, the 18-year veteran recently indicated that he does not want to leave Arizona after reuniting with the team that drafted him this offeseason.
“I came here, I want to be here. And I want this team to go out there and make a run,” Campbell said last week (via Theo Mackie of the Arizona Republic).
Thompson, meanwhile, has played every defensive snap for the Cardinals this season. That does not seem like the type of player a team would trade away midseason, even if they were motivated to sell.
As a result, the Cardinals seem inclined to hold onto their talent instead of flipping players for draft picks. Even if their early-season losses are too much to overcome, they have virtually all of their roster under contract in 2026 and therefore would not want to jettison talent who could play a role next year.
Bills DE Michael Hoecht Suffers Torn Achilles
Bills defensive end Michael Hoecht suffered a torn Achilles in Sunday’s win vs. the Chiefs, head coach Sean McDermott announced after the game (via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport).
Hoecht, 28, arrived in Buffalo on a three-year, $21MM deal this offseason. He was suspended for the first six games of the season for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing substance policy, though the Bills were aware of the infraction before finalizing his contract. He was reinstated during the Bills’ Week 7 bye and made a splashy debut in Week 8 against the Panthers. After Buffalo’s defensive line lost Ed Oliver in the first half, Hoecht took over a larger snap share and logged 1.5 sacks, one tackle for loss, and one forced fumble that the Bills offense converted into a touchdown.
The five-year veteran chipped in another 0.5 sacks before he left Buffalo’s Week 9 victory over Kansas City. He will now miss the rest of the season, certainly a disappointing result after serving his suspension.
The Bills’ defensive line depth will be tested without Hoecht and Oliver, the latter of whom is out for the rest of the regular season with a biceps tear. However, Buffalo’s pass rush has been solid this year with 11 different defenders logging at least one sack. More injuries could spread the group even thinner, but they seem to have enough talent to keep pressuring opposing quarterbacks at a solid rate. Defensive ends Greg Rousseau, Joey Bosa, and A.J. Epenesa have all turned in solid performances thus far, as has defensive tackle DaQuan Jones.
Hoecht will spend the better part of the next year recovering with the hopes of returning for the start of the 2026 season.
Giants’ Evan Neal Addresses Potential Trade
Midseason trades involving offensive linemen are rare given the importance of healthy depth at the position. It would not entirely come as a surprise if Evan Neal were to be on the move, though. 
The fourth-year Giant has yet to play this season. Neal was unable to earn a starting spot at the right guard position during training camp, another underwhelming development in his NFL career. The former No. 7 pick has struggled when on the field as a tackle and falling out of the team’s plans could result in a parting of ways via trade. It appears a change of scenery is something Neal would be on board with.
“I haven’t really heard much internally, but that’s something that’s out of my control,” he said when speaking about a potential trade (via Charlotte Carroll of The Athletic). “So whatever happens, happens… At this point, whatever happens come the deadline, I welcome it.”
Neal’s desire for clarity on his future is understandable. The Giants declined his fifth-year option this past spring, meaning he is a pending free agent. The Alabama product’s trade value as a rental would be very limited of course, but the Giants’ loss on Sunday dropped them to 2-7. As such, a seller’s stance should be in store with respect to the team’s approach on the trade front.
Any number of contenders could be interested in Neal as depth for the stretch run. The Seahawks are in the market for an interior O-line move, so they could be a suitor. Other teams seeking an inexpensive addition could touch base with New York as well, and the team’s approach would be interesting to monitor in that case. Taking on the remainder of Neal’s 2025 salary ($1.1MM) would not be an issue for any acquiring team.
Commanders’ Terry McLaurin Could Miss ‘Multiple Weeks’
2025 has been a disappointing season for Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin. After missing three games in his first two years in the league, McLaurin didn’t miss a game for four straight seasons. So far, this year alone, McLaurin has more than doubled his total absences, and if ESPN’s Adam Schefter is correct, he could end up missing even more. 
It’s been a quad injury holding McLaurin out. After a disappointing first two games to open the year, McLaurin saw a promising third contest cut short because of the injured quad. It was expected that McLaurin would miss a couple of weeks, but no surgery was deemed necessary, so the 30-year-old was able to avoid a stint on injured reserve.
It seemed McLaurin was on a week-to-week approach, with reports coming in four straight weeks that McLaurin would be unavailable. Finally, last week, McLaurin got the green light to return to the field. McLaurin put up a pretty strong performance but ended up aggravating the quad injury that sidelined him before. Whether Schefter’s prognosis of “potentially multiple weeks” means McLaurin is two weeks away or on his way to IR is unclear for now. This may continue being a week-to-week report.
In the meantime, fellow wide receiver Deebo Samuel has continued to stay healthy-ish after missing Week 7 with a heel injury that he had been playing through. With Noah Brown on IR, rookie fourth-round pick Jaylin Lane, second-year wideout Luke McCaffrey, and veteran Chris Moore have been filling out the receiving corps. They’ll look to continue supplementing Samuel until McLaurin can return to the active lineup.
Chargers Fear Repeat Injury For LT Joe Alt
The Chargers knew they would face additional challenges this season when newly paid left tackle Rashawn Slater suffered a torn patellar tendon injury that would take him out for the year. Then usual right tackle Joe Alt, who had moved over to Justin Herbert‘s blindside in place of Slater, suffered a high ankle sprain four weeks into the season, leaving Los Angeles without its top bookend on the line. Alt returned from injury last week but may face a longer absence after a potential reinjury today. 
Alt came back into the lineup last weekend despite limited participation in practice throughout the week. Still, he looked strong in his first game back, hardly showing any signs of the injury that held him out for three weeks. In fact, he didn’t even appear on the team’s injury report this week. Late in the first half of today’s game in Nashville, though, Alt was carted off the field, holding the same ankle that had sidelined him four weeks prior.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Alt is “believed to have suffered another high ankle sprain.” To make matters worse, this time, the injury may require a medical procedure to repair. In order to determine exactly what needs to be done, Alt will undergo an MRI tomorrow to confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity.
When Alt was healthy, it was backup tackle Trey Pipkins III filling in for Alt at right tackle as Alt covered the blindside. When Alt got hurt, backup tackle Austin Deculus was called up to the first-team offense. Pipkins got hurt in Week 5, and Jamaree Salyer finished the game at right tackle, but a practice squad addition, Bobby Hart, would get the subsequent start across from Deculus. Even when Pipkins came back healthy, Hart remained in the starting lineup across from Alt in his return last week.
Hart actually left today’s game with an injury before Alt, getting replaced by Pipkins early in the contest. And Deculus, who had filled in for Alt in his previous absences, had already been ruled out with an ankle injury before the game. So, when Alt went down, Salyer was called upon once again, this time to play left tackle across from Pipkins. In addition to the injuries at tackle, right guard Mekhi Becton missed his second game of the season today. Foster Sarell started in his place.
An extended absence for Alt could spell trouble for Los Angeles. In games that Alt has started, the Chargers have gone 5-1; in games without him, they’re 1-2. Throw in the additional injuries across the line, and it becomes hard to field a competent, cohesive offensive line. Los Angeles is still two weeks away from a bye week, and their next two games are against playoff hopefuls Pittsburgh and Jacksonville. The Steelers defense, in particular, poses a threat as they came into the week boasting the fifth-most pressures in the NFL.
Tomorrow’s diagnosis will provide further details as to what the Chargers are facing. They may just need to weather another three-week absence, but if a procedure is necessary, any resulting extended absence for Alt could be detrimental to the team’s postseason aspirations. If the team falls far enough out of contention without its two starting tackles, a decision might be made to ensure Alt remains fully healthy for an eventual return alongside Slater in 2026. Whatever the case, we should know more tomorrow.
Cowboys Open To Trading DT Mazi Smith?
If the Cowboys are to make a trade, it would come as no surprise if a defensive addition were to be made. Dallas could also subtract on that side of the ball. 
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The Cowboys “appear to be open to” dealing away Mazi Smith, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. The former first-rounder’s inability to develop into a regular contributor has been a key element of Dallas’ struggles along the defensive line since his arrival in the NFL. Smith has been inactive three times in 2025, his third campaign in the league.
As a rookie, the Michigan product logged a rotational role. A significant uptick in usage took place the following year, but Smith was unable to take a step forward in terms of production against the pass. His performances as a run defender also left plenty to be desired, and as such it came as no surprise upgrading along the defensive interior was a central factor in the Cowboys’ considerations with respect to the Micah Parsons trade.
Kenny Clark is in the fold thanks to that blockbuster deal, and his contract runs through 2027. Dallas also has Osa Odighizuwa in place for years to come after he inked a four-year, $80MM deal to remain with the team this past offseason. Especially with Smith failing to find his footing in new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus‘ scheme, a fresh start could be sought out. Smith’s rookie contract runs through 2026, and any acquiring team would presumably decline his fifth-year option this spring.
It would be surprising to see a strong market for Smith given the way his career has begun. At the age of 24, though, interested teams could view him as a buy-low target with upside. As the Cowboys look into adding along the front seven (among other spots), a shake-up of a different nature will be something to watch for.
Texans QB C.J. Stroud Suffers Concussion
The Texans will need to play at least the remainder of Week 9 without their starting quarterback. C.J. Stroud has been ruled out of today’s game due to a concussion. 
After being tackled by Broncos cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine, Stroud’s head hit the turf. He remained down on the field for several minutes before walking off the field under his own power. Stroud spent time in the medical tent before being taken to the locker room for further evaluation.
The 24-year-old has since been ruled out for the remainder of the contest. As a result, backup QB Davis Mills will be tasked with leading the offense the rest of the way. At the time the Texans announced the update on Stroud, they were leading Denver 12-7.
The team’s elite defense will be leaned on to maintain its current advantage. Houston entered Sunday ranked first in the NFL in both points and yards allowed, and another strong showing would help those statistics and give the Texans an opportunity to improve to 4-4 on the year. Even if that takes place, of course, Stroud’s recovery timeline will be a major storyline moving forward.
The third-year passer has only missed two games in his career. During his rookie campaign, though, Stroud suffered a concussion. This latest injury could lead to an absence spanning at least Week 10, since players very rarely clear concussion protocol in time to suit up one week after suffering one. Mills may be counted on beyond the remainder of today’s game as a result.
Stroud has not managed to duplicate the success of his Offensive Rookie of the Year-winning campaign in 2022. He nevertheless helped lead Houston to the divisional round of the postseason again last year. In spite of the Texans’ early struggles during the current campaign, a playoff berth could certainly still be in store. Much of the team’s outlook moving forward will depend on Stroud’s health, however. His situation will thus be worth watching closely over the coming days.
No Trades Imminent For Saints WRs Rashid Shaheed, Chris Olave
Entering today’s action at 1-7, the Saints could stand to sell at the upcoming trade deadline. It remains to be seen if they will do so, but for now it does not appear as though any major moves are forthcoming. 
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New Orleans’ receiver tandem of Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed has drawn significant interest recently, and the latter represents a logical candidate to be dealt. New Orleans is open to moving on from Shaheed, a pending free agent, but a drop in asking price would likely be needed for that to take place. The team has already reportedly requested a third-round pick from an AFC suitor.
No movement on the Shaheed front has taken place, while an Olave extension remains a possbility. Jeff Duncan of NOLA.com confirms the trade markets in both cases have been “tepid” up to this point. It would come as a surprise if a buyer were to part with a Day 2 selection for a rental, although there is of course precedent in that regard. In any event, Duncan predicts there will not be any substantial deals finalized over the next few days.
There are several other Saints players who could be on the radar of contending teams ahead of the deadline. According to Duncan, though, there has been “little interest” shown in New Orleans’ veterans. A swap involving the likes of running back Alvin Kamara or defensive end Cameron Jordan would be surprising, but Brandin Cooks represents an experienced option who would be affordable. No stranger to being dealt, Cooks is attached to a 2025 salary of just $1.26MM and with a small portion of his scheduled compensation for next guaranteed he could easily be cut after the campaign by any acquiring team.
It will be interesting to see if teams which bow out of the Shaheed sweepstakes turn their attention to Cooks as a fallback WR option prior to Tuesday afternoon’s deadline. Failing a move along those lines, it could very well prove to be a quiet deadline for the Saints.
Bucs WR Jalen McMillan Has Neck Fracture
The Buccaneers surprised many when they selected Emeka Egbuka in the first round (No. 19 overall) of this year’s draft, as they already had a strong WR corps in place. But that corps has been depleted by injury, and several of its top players, including Jalen McMillan, are not guaranteed to return this season.
McMillan, a 2024 draftee, sustained what was initially called a “severely strained neck” during a preseason game in August, though head coach Todd Bowles recently described the injury as a neck fracture (via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times). ESPN’s Jenna Laine is unsure why the terminology is different now than it was in August, as McMillan’s MRI would have shown both the ligament damage (the strain) and the fracture.
Bowles characterized the apparent discrepancy as one of semantics in a follow-up text to the Tampa Bay Times. “It’s no different than it was,” he said. “A fracture. It’s the same to me.”
As Laine reiterates, McMillan did not require surgery on his injury, and Stroud says the fracture is actually mild. According to Stroud, the ligament issue, not the break, is what has forced McMillan to wear a brace and is taking the most time to heal.
An update from several weeks ago indicated McMillan remained in a brace and was targeting a December return – initially, the hope was that he would return this week – but Stroud reports McMillan was still in a brace as late as last week. And while Bowles said the Washington alum is improving, he did not offer a timeline for his return.
“He’s getting better. I don’t have a specific date for you, either, but he’s definitely getting better,” Bowles said on Monday. “When he gets out of the brace, we’ll see, but he’s definitely feeling better.”
Franchise stalwart Mike Evans has played in just four games this year and is not expected back until late December (if at all) due to a broken clavicle. Evans’ longtime running mate, Chris Godwin, has appeared in a mere two games thanks to the ankle injury he suffered last season and then a fibula injury he sustained upon his return this year.
Egbuka has been excellent in his first eight games as a pro and has helped the Bucs stay atop the NFC South despite their myriad injuries. Still, the team expressed interest in Marquez Valdes-Scantling before he agreed to sign with the Steelers, and it is fair to wonder whether GM Jason Licht could kick the tires on a different wideout addition from the free agent market or via trade prior to Tuesday’s deadline.