NFC Trade Notes: Mafe, Woolen, Shaheed, Cowboys, Packers, Buccaneers, Lions
As one of three NFC West teams sporting a five-win record, the Seahawks do not fit the profile of a seller at the trade deadline. Nevertheless, a pair of notable defenders continue to be mentioned in trade talk.
Cornerback Tariq Woolen remains a name to watch ahead of the November 4 deadline. The most recent update on his status indicated he could remain in Seattle. Things could change in short order, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Seattle prefers to keep Woolen in place through the remainder of the season.
The former Pro Bowler has struggled this season and his rookie contract is set to expire at the end of the campaign. The same is also true of edge rusher Boye Mafe, who could very well depart in free agency this spring. As such, the 26-year-old is worth monitoring on the trade front. Schefter adds, though, that the Seahawks would also prefer to keep him.
Here are some other trade notes from around the NFC:
- In terms of receivers, one of the top candidates to move shortly is Rashid Shaheed. The Saints have been connected to an asking price of a Day 2 pick for the pending free agent. In particular, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football passes along New Orleans asked an AFC suitor for a third-round selection. Shaheed would provide a notable vertical addition to any acquiring team, but a price that high would be a surprise for a rental. It will be interesting to see if the Saints lower their asking price in the coming days.
- Logan Wilson‘s trade request is still in effect, and he is among the defenders worth monitoring on the Bengals. A number of teams have made calls recently, and Schefter reports the Cowboys are among them. Dallas could stand to use one (or more) defensive additions given the team’s play on that side of the ball, and the team is not only in the market for rentals. Wilson – who has 65 starts to his name – is under contract through 2027.
- The Packers faced questions about their secondary entering the campaign, but the team sits 15th against the pass so far. Green Bay is among the teams looking into corners on the trade market, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports (subscription required). Tyson Campbell, Roger McCreary, Michael Carter II and (most recently) Jaire Alexander have already been dealt ahead of the deadline. Other corners could be on the move, however, and with nearly $12MM in cap space the Packers can afford a rental addition.
- Sitting atop the NFC South, the Buccaneers could look to add. It would nonetheless come as a surprise if a notable acquisition were to be made. Greg Auman of Fox Sports predicts Tampa Bay will (if anything) only be in the market for a depth addition in the rental market. Adding at the linebacker spot or along the edge would be feasible, per Auman, but a major move should not be expected.
- Another team not viewed as a serious buyer is the Lions. Defensive depth could still be targeted, though, and Russini writes safety and defensive line are among the positions being explored. Detroit is also among the teams which have called the Bengals about their defensive trade candidates (including Wilson but also cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt). With over $22MM in cap space, the Lions could afford a rental with ease.
Steelers Still Interested In WR Trade
Marquez Valdes-Scantling reunited with Aaron Rodgers earlier this week by agreeing to a Steelers deal. In spite of that addition, more could be coming at the receiver position.
Pittsburgh is still looking into a trade acquisition at that spot, veteran insider Jordan Schultz and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler report. The Steelers have of course been connected to a move dating back to well before the Valdes-Scantling pact. The former Packers speedster has played on four teams since the end of his Green Bay tenure and expectations will be limited in his second time around with Rodgers.
The Steelers traded away George Pickens this offseason and replaced him with D.K. Metcalf. The latter inked a four-year, $132MM deal upon arrival from the Seahawks, and he will remain Pittsburgh’s WR1 for the foreseeable future. Finding depth production has been an issue in 2025, though, with Calvin Austin and Roman Wilson struggling to make a consistent impact.
As such, Pittsburgh could stand to add further ahead of the November 4 deadline. The team has been linked to interest in Jakobi Meyers and Calvin Ridley, among others. Dianna Russini of The Athletic confirms (subscription required) the Steelers have made calls about Meyers, making them one of several teams in play for the Raiders veteran. Per Russini, Pittsburgh has indeed looked into other wideouts on the trade block as well.
Sitting at 4-3 on the year, the Steelers lead the AFC North as things stand. The team’s defensive struggles and a return to health on the part of the Ravens have led to recent pessimism about Pittsburgh’s chances of remaining in that spot, however. A rental move at the receiver spot would aid the offense, a unit which ranks just 23rd in the league in passing. Improving in that regard would be a feasible goal.
The Steelers have shown a willingness to be aggressive in terms of roster-building moves under general manager Omar Khan. With over $6MM in cap space, Pittsburgh can afford a modest swap in the coming days. It will be interesting to see if the team’s ongoing interest produces a deal.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/1/25
Here are today’s minor moves and practice squad callups for the ninth weekend of the NFL season:
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: WR Dylan Drummond
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: CB Dane Jackson, DT Phidarian Mathis
Chicago Bears
- Elevated: RB Brittain Brown
Cincinnati Bengals
- Elevated: LB Brian Asamoah II, G Jaxson Kirkland
Denver Broncos
- Elevated: WR Michael Bandy, TE Marcedes Lewis
Detroit Lions
- Elevated: LB Ty Summers
Green Bay Packers
- Signed from practice squad: LB Kristian Welch
- Elevated: DE Arron Mosby
- Placed on IR: LB Nick Niemann
Indianapolis Colts
- Elevated: DE Durell Nchami, WR Laquon Treadwell
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Elevated: LB Branson Combs, WR Tim Jones
Kansas City Chiefs
- Elevated: RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, G C.J. Hanson
Las Vegas Raiders
- Elevated: CB Greedy Vance
Los Angeles Chargers
- Elevated: RB Amar Johnson, RB Jaret Patterson
- Placed on IR: RB Hassan Haskins
Los Angeles Rams
- Elevated: CB A.J. Green, RB Ronnie Rivers
Minnesota Vikings
- Elevated: CB Fabian Moreau, TE Nick Vannett
New England Patriots
- Elevated: RB D’Ernest Johnson
New Orleans Saints
- Elevated: LB Eku Leota
New York Giants
- Activated from IR: CB Rico Payton
- Elevated: LB Zaire Barnes, WR Ray-Ray McCloud
- Placed on IR: CB Art Green
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Activated from IR: LB Malik Harrison
- Elevated: RB Lew Nichols, RB Trey Sermon
San Francisco 49ers
- Activated from IR: OL Spencer Burford
- Elevated: DE Clelin Ferrell, OL Nick Zakelj
- Placed on IR: OLB Yetur Gross-Matos
Tennessee Titans
- Elevated: WR James Proche, DT Carlos Watkins
Washington Commanders
- Elevated: WR Treylon Burks, DT Sheldon Day
The Steelers are getting Harrison back at a crucial time. Fellow linebacker Cole Holcomb has been ruled out this weekend with an illness — as has safety Chuck Clark, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network — and Harrison should be able to reinforce the group. He has plenty of experience playing next to starter Patrick Queen from their time together in Baltimore, so perhaps he’ll be able to step in and contribute right away.
The Chargers continue to see their running backs room plagued with injury. Haskins joins Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris on injured reserve. Johnson and Patterson will suit up tomorrow to provide some depth behind lone survivor Kimani Vidal.
With Terry McLaurin once again set to miss time, Burks, the newly signed p-squad addition, will make his Washington debut. Also a newly signed p-squad addition, Lewis will make his Denver debut this weekend. If he sees game time, 2025 will officially be Lewis’ 20th season in the NFL.
After missing the last three games, Gross-Matos appeared to be close to returning to play. According to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports, the 27-year-old re-injured his hamstring at practice on Thursday and will now miss another four games.
For Leota in New Orleans, Mosby in Green Bay, Sermon in Pittsburgh, Zakelj in San Francisco, and both Proche and Watkins in Tennessee, this Sunday will be their third and final standard gameday practice squad elevation on their current deals. In order to appear in any more games after this, their respective teams will need to sign them to the active roster.
Broncos Eyeing OL, Deep Threat WR Before Deadline
NOVEMBER 1: Fowler confirms (video link) the Broncos remain interested in a guard and/or speed wideout addition. He describes the team as a “window shopper” at this point, though, indicating nothing is imminent.
OCTOBER 30: The second year of the Broncos’ Sean Payton–Bo Nix partnership has gotten off to an excellent start with a 6-2 record and sole possession of first place in the AFC West.
That could position Denver as a buyer ahead of the trade deadline. The Broncos already have an elite defense and are looking to add on the other side of the ball, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. In particular, they are looking at offensive guard, tight end, and wide receiver.
Week 1 starting left guard Ben Powers landed on injured reserve earlier this month, pressing Alex Palczewski into duty in the last two games. Palczewski, who has played on the right side of the offensive line for all of his college and professionally, used the Broncos’ DARI Motion technology to track and improve his technique on the left side, according to Nick Kosmider of The Athletic. As a result, he has held up well at an unfamiliar position, but Powers’ earliest return would come in December. Adding a guard could offer an upgrade on Palczewski as well as added insurance if Powers cannot come back this season.
Tight end Evan Engram has been somewhat of a disappointment to start the year after signing with the Broncos in free agency. He is only averaging 30.7 yards per game with just one touchdown, far below his production in Jacksonville in the last three years. Denver could explore trading for tight end, but there may not be a clear upgrade available.
An addition at wide receiver seems more likely. Courtland Sutton has been excellent as usual, and Troy Franklin has thrived in the short and intermediate areas of the field. The Broncos are therefore interest in a “classic, field-stretching receiving option” (via Fowler) who would be a more consistent deep threat than Marvin Mims. Fowler’s colleague Dan Graziano floated a deal with Payton’s former team, the Saints, that would bring Rashid Shaheed to Denver. Such a move would not be a reunion as Payton had already left New Orleans by the time Shaheed was drafted in 2022.
Edge Rusher Trade Notes: Phillips, Johnson, Patriots, Commanders
Dolphins edge rusher Jaelan Phillips is becoming one of the hottest names on the trade market. Currently playing on the fifth-year option of his rookie deal, Phillips could be well on his way to pricing himself out of Miami through free agency, so the Dolphins could look to get something in return for losing him now via trade.
We identified Phillips as a trade candidate about a month ago. The team received interest on the 26-year-old, though Phillips expressed interest in staying in Miami. It quickly became clear, though, that Phillips was becoming more valuable than his pass rushing teammates, Bradley Chubb and Matt Judon. There’s been speculation that the Ravens would have interest in him, and then more speculation about the Eagles, a team that’s been extremely active in the trade market lately.
According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, Baltimore and Philadelphia aren’t alone in their interest. Russini adds the 49ers to the named list of suitors and suggests that others are calling Miami about their pass rushers, as well. Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer says Phillips is the most likely to be traded among the Chubb/Phillips/Judon trio.
Here are some other nuggets about the pass rusher trade market:
- As mentioned above, the Eagles have shown interest in Phillips, but they’ve also been inquiring about other pass rushers, like Jets edge rusher Jermaine Johnson. Per Russini, the link makes sense due to the presence of Joe Douglas as a senior personnel director on Philadelphia’s staff. Douglas was the general manager in New York when the Jets drafted Johnson and could be talking the 26-year-old up to his new employers. The Jets, though, are seeking a second-round pick or better in exchange for the former Pro Bowler.
- Finally, in addition to the Ravens, Eagles, and 49ers, Russini identifies the Patriots and Commanders as teams pursuing pass rushers in the trade market. Specifically, New England is also a team who has been reportedly calling on Phillips in Miami.
Jaguars Looking for DT Help; Latest On Brian Thomas Jr.
The Jaguars improved to 4-1 with a last-minute win over the Chiefs in Week 5, but they’ve since dropped two in a row, including a dreary showing in England against the Rams in Week 7. Still a game over .500 and now coming out of their bye, the Jaguars may buy before Tuesday’s trade deadline. They’re looking for help at defensive tackle, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports.
The Jaguars boast the NFL’s sixth-best run defense, but getting to the opposing quarterback has been a problem. They rank last in the league in sacks (eight) and 22nd in pass-rush win rate. While defensive tackle Arik Armstead leads the team with 3.5 sacks, no one else from the Jags’ interior has recorded one yet. Armstead, DaVon Hamilton, and Maason Smith have gotten the lion’s share of playing time in the middle.
When discussing Jacksonville’s D-line this week, head coach Liam Coen said: “How do we help them on early downs, create more of an edge, and get some favorable matchups? We’ve looked at in the known passing situations, where are we putting these guys and how can we put them in better positions to be successful and get more ops on the quarterback?”
The Jaguars may have an easier time Sunday against the Raiders, who have allowed 19 sacks to quarterback Geno Smith during a 2-5 start. A win over the Raiders could give first-year general manager James Gladstone more incentive to add to the team’s defense by Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Jaguars’ offense would experience a notable loss in the event of a Brian Thomas Jr. trade, which has always looked like a long shot. With Thomas off to a slow start this season, Gladstone has taken calls on the 2024 first-rounder and Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist. Plenty of interest has come in, according to Russini, though she adds that the Jags haven’t received any “substantial offers.” The belief around the league is that the Jaguars would want a first-rounder and more for the wide receiver, per Russini.
In the event a Thomas trade comes together, it would take away another important weapon in Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence-led passing game. The team placed rookie receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter on IR with a knee injury on Friday, setting up at least a four-game absence. The Jags will also continue to go without No. 1 tight end Brenton Strange, who has missed two games since going on IR with a quad/hip injury after Week 5.
Seahawks Place Julian Love, Eric Saubert On IR
In advance of their meeting with the Commanders on Sunday, the Seahawks have placed safety Julian Love and tight end Eric Saubert on IR, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Love is dealing with a hamstring injury, while a calf issue will shelve Saubert. Both players will miss a minimum of four games.
Love hasn’t played since Week 4, but the 5-2 Seahawks held off on putting him on IR throughout October. With the team coming off its bye, Love suffered a setback this week, head coach Mike Macdonald said (per Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic). He’ll be out until at least Week 13 as a result.
After earning his lone Pro Bowl nod in 2023 and signing a three-year extension, Love was a 17-game starter for the first time in his career last season. He racked up 109 tackles, 12 passes defensed, and three interceptions along the way. Love recorded 18 tackles and a sack in three starts this year before the injury derailed his season.
The Love-less Seahawks have deployed Coby Bryant and Ty Okada as their top two safeties for most of 2025. Their pass defense, which will get two-time Pro Bowl corner Devon Witherspoon back from a three-game absence this week, ranks a strong 10th in the NFL.
After a season with the NFC West rival 49ers, Seubert signed a one-year pact with the Seahawks last offseason. He ranks third among Seahawks tight ends in snaps, trailing starter AJ Barner and Elijah Arroyo, and has caught his only target for 12 yards.
Along with the IR placements of Love and Saubert, the Seahawks made a handful of other moves Saturday, Dugar reports. The team activated fullback Robbie Ouzts, who had been on IR since Sept. 24, and signed safety Jerrick Reed II from the practice squad to the active roster. Additionally, wideouts Cody White and Ricky White III received standard elevations from the practice squad. As Dugar notes, calling up the Whites may bode poorly for receiver Cooper Kupp, who’s questionable for Week 9 with heel and hamstring injuries.
Bengals Likely In For Quiet Trade Deadline
Sitting in second place in a winnable AFC North, the 3-5 Bengals let an opportunity to make up ground on the division-leading Steelers slip away last week. Hours before the Steelers fell to 4-3 against the Packers on Sunday night, the Bengals dropped a 39-38 shootout to the Jets, who entered the game 0-7.
The Bengals will have a chance to bounce back Sunday against the Bears in their last game before Tuesday’s trade deadline. Despite dealing with an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder, quarterback Joe Flacco is expected to start.
Regardless of the outcome against Chicago, it appears the Bengals are in for a quiet deadline. They’re “highly unlikely to make a move” to bring in more outside talent after already acquiring Flacco from the Browns last month, according to Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic. The Bengals also received a sixth-round pick in the Flacco deal, but they parted with a fifth-rounder in return.
The team took a flier on Flacco in a season-saving effort after losing starter Joe Burrow to a toe injury and seeing backup signal-caller Jake Browning perform poorly in his place. Cincinnati is “extremely hesitant to ever surrender future picks,” Dehner writes, making it unlikely that it will cough up even more draft capital in the next few days.
On paper, a loss to the Bears could make the Bengals more likely to sell. With that in mind, superstar pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, linebacker Logan Wilson, and cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt are on the radar of contending teams. The Rams, 49ers, Lions, Colts, and Eagles are among the clubs that have made calls on those players, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports. It appears they’ll have to look elsewhere, though.
Hendrickson is a pending free agent who would bring back a quality return in a trade, but Dehner dismisses the possibility of the Bengals dealing him. They’ve shown no willingness to punt a season in early November to acquire future draft choices, per Dehner. That would rule out a Hendrickson trade.
The Bengals have at least given some consideration to parting with Wilson, Albert Breer of SI.com relays. With rookies Demetrius Knight and Barrett Carter eating into his playing time, Wilson requested a deal out of Cincinnati last week. He’s probably not going to get his way, though, with Dehner pointing to his pricey contract (he’s under wraps through 2027 on a four-year, $36MM extension) and his role in the Bengals’ defense as reasons why he’ll stay put. There’s a better chance of the Bengals getting rid of Wilson after the season than during it.
Like Hendrickson and Wilson, Dehner expects Taylor-Britt to finish the season in Cincinnati. The free agent-to-be was a healthy scratch in a win over the Steelers in Week 7, but he returned to play 76% of defensive snaps against the Jets. The Bengals still value him as their No. 3 corner over their options.
While a Burrow return sometime in December would be a best-case scenario, the Bengals will likely need to stay in the playoff race for that to become a realistic possibility. For better or worse, it doesn’t appear that their roster will undergo any significant changes in the meantime.
Panthers Activate G Chandler Zavala Off IR
NOVEMBER 1: Carolina will, in fact, see Zavala return at an opportune moment as the Panthers activated him from injured reserve today. Considering Christensen was placed on IR shortly after suffering his Achilles injury, Zavala should have the opportunity to step right back into the position that Christensen had been filling for him.
In order make space on the 53-man roster, the Panthers released veteran running back DeeJay Dallas, who had been inactive in two games since Hubbard’s return to health. Carolina also announced that it would call up outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon as a standard gameday practice squad elevation.
OCTOBER 29: The Panthers’ offensive line took a hit when guard Brady Christensen suffered an Achilles injury in a loss to the Bills in Week 8. While Christensen may miss the rest of the season, the Panthers could welcome back guard Chandler Zavala in the next three weeks. The Panthers opened Zavala’s practice window on Wednesday, giving them 21 days to activate him from IR.
Zavala has mostly served as a backup in Carolina since the team used a fourth-round pick on the former NC State blocker in 2023. He opened this season in a reserve role before right guard Robert Hunt tore his left biceps in Week 2. With Hunt on IR, Zavala started back-to-back games. However, Zavala sustained a knee injury in Week 4, forcing him to join Hunt on the shelf.
The Panthers are dealing with other injuries along their line, including to center Cade Mays (ankle) and right tackle Taylor Moton (knee). It’s unclear if they’ll play this Sunday against the Packers and their Micah Parsons-led defensive front. Likewise, Zavala may not be ready for an immediate return to the lineup. Alongside Damien Lewis, the Panthers’ starting left guard, Austin Corbett, Jake Curhan, and Nick Samac could all be candidates to fill in the interior of a banged-up line this week.
Regardless of who’s doing the blocking in Week 9, it appears running back Rico Dowdle will take on a larger role. With Dowdle off to an excellent start this year, Panthers head coach Dave Canales said the Panthers are considering a heavier workload for him (via David Newton of ESPN).
Previously with the Cowboys, Dowdle signed a one-year deal with the Panthers last offseason to work behind starter Chuba Hubbard. While Dowdle was a 1,000-yard rusher last year, he has found another gear this season. The 27-year-old has already piled up 605 yards on 106 carries (5.7 YPC). He combined for a franchise-record 473 total yards (389 rushing, 84 receiving) during wins in Weeks 5 and 6. Hubbard missed those games with a calf injury.
Dowdle has seen less action since Hubbard returned, though he still combined for a strong 133 yards on 25 rushes during the Panthers’ previous two games. Hubbard, on the other hand, totaled just 65 yards on 26 carries in that same stretch. The 26-year-old has averaged an underwhelming 3.6 yards on 79 carries this season.
Although Hubbard is seemingly in line for fewer touches, the Panthers “don’t want to move” him before the Nov. 4 trade deadline, Joseph Person of The Athletic writes. With Hubbard in the early stages of an 1,195-yard, 10-touchdown rushing season in 2024, the Panthers signed him to a four-year, $33.2MM extension last November. He’s earning a $4MM guaranteed salary this year and has another $4.5MM guaranteed in 2026.
A talent evaluator with another team told Person that it may be hard for the Panthers to find someone to take Hubbard’s contract while also surrendering a draft pick to acquire him. With Hubbard an important part of the Panthers’ culture, they’re content to keep him as a complement to Dowdle. If Dowdle leaves as a free agent in the offseason, Hubbard could reclaim the No. 1 role in 2026.
Cardinals To Start QB Jacoby Brissett In Week 9
After he missed back-to-back games with a foot injury, it appeared that Cardinals starting quarterback Kyler Murray would return Monday in Dallas. That will not be the case, however, as head coach Jonathan Gannon announced on Saturday that Jacoby Brissett will start in Week 9. (via ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss).
Murray suffered a version of a Lisfranc injury in a Week 5 loss to the Titans. A Week 8 bye was not enough for the former No. 1 pick to get back to game-readiness, so his veteran backup will get the nod for the third game in a row.
“He’s just not ready to go yet,” Gannon said of Murray, clarifying that his absence is purely health-related.
Gannon also indicated that Murray could still have a “role” on Monday, but that seems to be as more of an emergency option, according to team reporter Darren Urban. Kedon Slovis is the only other QB on the Cardinals’ roster.
A stint on injured reserve is not under consideration at the moment, meaning Murray may be ready for a Week 10 meeting with the NFC West rival Seahawks. Though the Cardinals have lost both of their games without Murray, they went 2-3 in his starts and Brissett has outpaced him statistically.
Murray has completed 68.3% of attempts with six touchdowns against three interceptions this year, but his 6.0 YPA and 88.6 passer rating have underwhelmed. The dual threat has added 173 yards (6.0 YPC) and another touchdown on the ground. Brissett, meanwhile, helped the Cardinals put up fights against high-level opponents in the Colts and Packers over the previous couple of weeks. He combined to go 52-for-80 (65%) for 599 yards, four touchdowns, and a pick, also chipping in 47 rushing yards on 10 attempts.
So far, the Cardinals have gotten plenty of bang from their buck from Brissett since signing him to a two-year, $12.5MM contract in free agency last offseason. The journeyman will have a chance to impress again while facing a Dallas team that ranks 31st in pass defense and and points per game allowed. The Brissett-led Cardinals will look to take advantage of that and snap a five-game losing streak. Remarkably, all of their defeats have come by four or fewer points.
Connor Byrne contributed to this post.