Steelers Cut S Juan Thornhill
Continuing to make noteworthy changes at the safety position, the Steelers have cut Juan Thornhill, according to Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL.com. Thornhill will go through waivers. If no team claims him, he’ll become a free agent.
The Steelers have shaken things up at safety since starter DeShon Elliott suffered a serious knee injury in Week 8. Elliott is now on IR.
Shortly after losing Elliott, the Steelers acquired Kyle Dugger from the Patriots on Oct. 28. Dugger has since stepped into a starting role next to longtime cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who transitioned to free safety during a Week 9 win over the Colts.
With Dugger and Ramsey taking over at safety, Thornhill worked exclusively on special teams against Indianapolis and in Pittsburgh’s loss to the Chargers on Sunday. The 30-year-old started in one of nine games, logged a 48.5% snap share on defense, and totaled 38 tackles this season before the Steelers moved on from him.
After coming off the board in the second round of the 2019 draft, Thornhill divided his first six NFL seasons between Kansas City and Cleveland. He served as a full-time starter on two of the Chiefs’ Super Bowl-winning teams before spending two years with the Browns.
The Browns released Thornhill last offseason, leading him to the Steelers on a one-year, $3MM deal. Although his union with the Steelers didn’t work out, Thornhill – who has 75 career starts and eight interceptions – could be attractive to safety-needy clubs down the stretch. If a team claims him, it would take on the remainder of his league-minimum base salary.
With Thornhill on his way out, the Steelers claimed safety Sebastian Castro off waivers from the Buccaneers on Monday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com relays. Castro signed with the Steelers as an undrafted rookie from Iowa in late April, but the Buccaneers plucked him off their practice squad on Sept. 30. He appeared in one game with the Bucs and totaled six snaps (all on special teams). Castro will join Chuck Clark and Jabrill Peppers among the Steelers’ depth options at safety.
Steelers ‘Hope’ To Retain QB Aaron Rodgers In 2026
Whenever Aaron Rodgers‘ career ends, he will officially retire as a member of the Packers. His current team could spend another season with him atop the QB depth chart, though. 
It was reported late last month the Steelers would be open to re-signing Rodgers for 2026. The future Hall of Famer took a one-year deal to head to Pittsburgh, and he stated before the campaign began he expected to hang up his cleats once the season ended. If a different approach were to be taken, the Steelers would welcome it.
Taking previous reports one step further, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports writes the team “hopes” Rodgers will continue playing next season. Pittsburgh entered the year without a long-term succession plan in place under center, but a second season with Rodgers at the helm would give the team more time to establish one. Not long from his 42nd birthday, the four-time MVP has given the Steelers a consistent presence at the QB spot, especially compared to their other post-Ben Roethlisberger passers.
Rodgers was not a lock to play in 2025, and he spoke with other teams (including the Vikings, reported to be his preferred destination) before joining the Steelers. He has delivered strong showings across the board while remaining healthy and leading the team to a 5-4 record. Provided Rodgers continues to enjoy a productive campaign, it would come as little surprise if a mutual interest were to emerge regarding a deal covering 2026.
The Steelers allowed Russell Wilson and Justin Fields to depart in free agency, reuniting with Mason Rudolph along the way. He was made aware of Pittsburgh’s Rodgers interest but signed a two-year deal nevertheless. The Steelers also added a developmental arm in the form of sixth-rounder rookie Will Howard. The Ohio State product has yet to see any time on the field, and that is likely to remain the case with Rodgers and Rudolph healthy.
Pittsburgh’s defense played a key role in the team’s win against the Colts but in general the unit has not lived up to expectations. If that continues, the Steelers’ offense will face increased pressure. Rodgers has done well to date, and Jones cautions the team’s approach will depend on how the coming weeks play out. At this point, though, efforts to continue Rodgers’ career for one more year can be expected after the current campaign comes to an end.
Steelers Believed They Were Close To Acquiring WR At Trade Deadline, Inquired About Jaylen Waddle
The Steelers were reportedly one of the most aggressive clubs in pursuing a wide receiver at this year’s trade deadline, and they were in on the Raiders’ Jakobi Meyers before Las Vegas shipped the contract-year wideout to the Jaguars. Ultimately, Pittsburgh did not swing a trade for a player to complement Aaron Rodgers’ contingent of pass catchers.
Pittsburgh did sign Marquez Valdes-Scantling shortly before the deadline, and according to Mark Kaboly of The Pat McAfee Show, the club was at least somewhat close to adding a receiver. However, that unnamed player ultimately stayed with his current team.
The Titans’ Calvin Ridley or the Dolphins’ Jaylen Waddle could have been the receiver in question, as both players were connected to the Steelers in the run-up to the deadline but were not traded. According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Pittsburgh did call Miami to discuss Waddle, joining the Broncos and the Bills as known suitors of the 2021 first-rounder.
We heard just this morning that the high price that Dolphins interim GM Champ Kelly set on Waddle was a first- and third-round pick (and, in the case of the division-rival Bills, who did offer a package including those selections, Kelly wanted even more). Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports believes multiple non-Buffalo teams would have been willing to make the deal if the third-rounder were not part of the equation, and despite some chatter that the ‘Fins may have been prepared to lower their asking price as the deadline got closer, they obviously could not come to terms with any interested clubs.
We may never know if the Steelers were one of the teams prepared to pony up a first-rounder for Waddle. In any event, Rodgers & Co. will have to content themselves with the Valdes-Scantling addition as they seek to retain control of the AFC North.
Per Kaboly, the Steelers thought MVS would sign with them in August, after he was released by the Seahawks. The 31-year-old had previously acknowledged he had to choose between San Francisco and Pittsburgh, and at the time, he saw the 49ers as the better fit.
He wound up playing in five games with the 49ers, catching four balls for 40 yards. He eventually was released with an injury settlement.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/8/25
Here are Saturday’s taxi squad moves around the NFL:
Chicago Bears
- Signed: LB Carl Jones Jr.
- Released: WR Miles Boykin
Houston Texans
- Signed: RB Jawhar Jordan
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: TE Tanner Conner
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: DT Ta’Quon Graham
- Released: DE Antwaun Powell-Ryland
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: OLB DeMarvin Leal
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: T Logan Brown
- Released: WR Mac Dalena
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/8/25
Several teams around the NFL made tweaks to their rosters on Saturday in preparation for Sunday’s slate of games. Here are all the latest moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed from practice squad: RB Michael Carter
- Elevated: LB Jared Bartlett, CB Darren Hall
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: CB Keith Taylor, OL Joshua Gray
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: DT Taven Bryan
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: CB Dane Jackson, LB Baylon Spector
Carolina Panthers
- Signed from practice squad: DT Jared Harrison-Hunte
- Elevated: WR Dan Chisena
- Waived: QB Mike White
Chicago Bears
- Elevated: TE Stephen Carlson
Detroit Lions
- Activated from IR: S Daniel Thomas
- Elevated: OL Michael Niese
- Waived: S Jammie Robinson
Houston Texans
- Signed from practice squad: CB Damon Arnette, K Matthew Wright (story)
- Elevated: DB Myles Bryant, OL Sidy Sow
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed from practice squad: WR Laquon Treadwell
- Elevated: DE Durell Nchami, DT Tim Smith
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Elevated: WR Tim Jones
Los Angeles Chargers
- Activated from IR: LS Josh Harris, CB Deane Leonard, DL Da’Shawn Hand
- Elevated: RB Jaret Patterson, RB Trayveon Williams
Los Angeles Rams
- Elevated: LS Jake McQuaide, K Harrison Mevis (story)
Miami Dolphins
- Signed from practice squad: TE Hayden Rucci
- Elevated: LB Quinton Bell, CB Isaiah Johnson
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed from practice squad: CB Fabian Moreau
- Elevated: RB Corey Kiner
- Placed on IR: CB Jeff Okudah
New England Patriots
- Elevated: LB Darius Harris, RB D’Ernest Johnson
New Orleans Saints
- Elevated: WR Dante Pettis, T William Sherman
New York Giants
- Elevated: K Younghoe Koo, WR Ray-Ray McCloud
- Placed on IR: WR Beaux Collins, LB Darius Muasau
New York Jets
- Elevated: OL Kohl Levao, DT Payton Page
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed from practice squad: RB Trey Sermon
- Elevated: LB Mark Robinson
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed from practice squad: WR Cody White
- Elevated: WR Ricky White
Washington Commanders
- Elevated: WR Robbie Chosen
Week 10 will mark the debut for both players the Chargers gave the IR-designated for return label during roster cutdowns in August. Their activations had already been accounted for, but Hand’s had not. With those three now back in the fold, the Bolts have three IR activations remaining on the season.
Poll: Who Fared Best At Trade Deadline?
The NFL’s latest trade deadline featured eight Tuesday trades, but a total of 22 in-season swaps occurred this year. Some teams made multiple trades; several others stood pat. Two of the biggest trades in deadline history went down this week.
While not quite on the Herschel Walker/Eric Dickerson level, the Sauce Gardner blockbuster rivaled the Rams’ Jalen Ramsey addition from 2019. Like the Ramsey exchange, the Gardner value brought two first-rounders and another asset (wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, in this case) for a 25-year-old All-Pro cornerback. Barely an hour later, the Jets followed through with a teardown by sending Quinnen Williams to the Cowboys for first- and second-round picks and defensive tackle Mazi Smith.
As we detailed Wednesday in the latest Trade Rumors Front Office post, the Jets’ perspective brought strong value for young players toiling on a downtrodden team. The three first-rounders plus the 2026 second will give New York’s new decision-makers a chance to retool while having assets to either find a quarterback in the draft or trade for a veteran. While it will be difficult to replace Gardner and Williams, the Jets’ Darren Mougey-Aaron Glenn regime made the decision to cash in their top assets to launch a true rebuild — one that suddenly features plenty of QB ammo.
From the Colts’ perspective, Gardner brings an accomplished starter at a young age. Indianapolis received a player signed through 2030, though New York’s contract structure on the July extension limited the Gardner dead money to $19.75MM — far less than the Dolphins just took on for Ramsey or what the Saints absorbed upon trading Marshon Lattimore last year.
The Colts, after building from within for years, now have three high-cost DB contracts added this year in the Gardner accord and those given to Charvarius Ward and Camryn Bynum. Tied for the best record in the AFC (at 7-2), the Colts made a move and watched the Patriots, Broncos, Bills and Chiefs hold off on buyer’s trades.
Dallas’ stance is a bit more complicated. The Cowboys went from trading Micah Parsons for two first-rounders ahead of his age-26 season to acquiring Williams, who will turn 28 in December. The team still has three first-round picks between 2026 and ’27, but sending the higher-value ’27 first to the Jets strips away a prime asset for a player not on Parsons’ level.
Jerry Jones harped on the team’s run defense upon acquiring Kenny Clark in the Parsons trade, but that unit has faceplanted this season. Williams joins Clark and Osa Odighizuwa in a suddenly pricey Dallas D-tackle corps, and the longtime Jet had angled for a contract rework — something the Cowboys may now have to navigate.
The Cowboys also added Logan Wilson, after trying to grab Quincy Williams from the Jets in a two-brother trade, but the younger Williams brother represents the obvious talking point here. Dallas’ interior D-line is well stocked. Will Quinnen Williams help transform a sub-.500 Cowboys team in the way Amari Cooper did after the team surrendered a first at the 2018 deadline?
Deadline day also brought two wide receiver moves. The two wideouts most likely to be traded were, in fact, dealt. The Jaguars gave up fourth- and sixth-round picks for the Raiders’ Jakobi Meyers, a deal that may have crystalized the Rashid Shaheed market. Shaheed cost the Seahawks fourth- and fifth-round choices.
Meyers will help the Jags replace Travis Hunter and provide some stability in a receiving corps also dealing with a Brian Thomas Jr. injury. Shaheed joins a surging Seattle squad, reuniting with 2024 New Orleans OC Klint Kubiak, and will be an interesting complementary piece for All-Pro candidate Jaxon Smith-Njigba. With Smith-Njigba, Shaheed, Cooper Kupp and rookie Tory Horton, the Seahawks look to have one of the NFL’s best receiving cadres.
Jacksonville also engaged in a cornerback swap, prying contract-year cover man Greg Newsome from the Browns in October. Newsome has started two games with the Jags and has incentive to perform well this season, as he is uncontracted for 2026. Tyson Campbell is signed through 2028, giving the Browns some cost certainty — albeit now carrying two upper-crust CB contracts, along with Denzel Ward‘s — at a premium position.
Cleveland did not aggressively sell, keeping its guards, David Njoku and other rumored trade assets, though they did do Joe Flacco a solid — to Mike Tomlin‘s chagrin — by trading the demoted QB within the division. Flacco immediately became the Bengals’ starter and has rejuvenated Cincy’s offense.
The Jags also collected fifth- and sixth-round picks from the deadline’s top buyer. The trade-happy Eagles finished their 2025 by making 12 trades (excluding pick-for-pick transactions). In-season, Philadelphia made four. Following the Bigsby move, the defending champs acquired cornerbacks Michael Carter II and Jaire Alexander during their bye week, before sending the Dolphins a third-rounder for Jaelan Phillips. Philly now has Brandon Graham and Phillips in an edge-rushing corps housing Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt. Carter and Alexander provide potentially better answers compared to Adoree’ Jackson and Kelee Ringo alongside Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean.
The Rams quietly bolstered their CB contingent by obtaining Titans contract-year slot player Roger McCreary, while Tennessee also sent Dre’Mont Jones to Baltimore. The Ravens added Jones and Alohi Gilman, the latter becoming an immediate starter and helping maximize All-Pro Kyle Hamilton. Jones, who has 4.5 sacks this season, replaces Odafe Oweh — traded to the Chargers in the Gilman swap — in Baltimore’s OLB rotation. A former 3-4 defensive end, Jones gives Baltimore some pass rush options after Gilman supplied them with a deep safety. Gilman is also in a contract year.
While the Dolphins did not dive into full sales mode, retaining Jaylen Waddle and Bradley Chubb, after parting with longtime GM Chris Grier, they did obtain a third-round pick for Phillips — who is in his fifth-year option season. The Chargers also added two more trades before the 3pm buzzer Tuesday, most notably adding Trevor Penning — a three-position starter for the Saints — for a late 2027 draft choice. A contract-year blocker, Penning will be an option for a battered Bolts’ tackle corps.
The Steelers’ long-rumored wide receiver quest did not lead to a deal, but the team did add veteran safety Kyle Dugger, who had fallen out of favor with the Patriots despite signing an eight-figure-per-year extension as a transition-tagged player in 2024.
Who do you think did the best job at this year’s deadline? Vote in PFR’s latest poll and weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/6/25
Here are Thursday’s minor transactions:
Chicago Bears
- Waived: LB Carl Jones Jr.
Denver Broncos
- Signed from practice squad: WR Michael Bandy
- Elevated: TE Marcedes Lewis, CB Reese Taylor
Houston Texans
- Waived: CB Alijah Huzzie
Las Vegas Raiders
- Activated from IR: S Lonnie Johnson
Miami Dolphins
- Waived: TE Tanner Conner
Philadelphia Eagles
- Designated for return from IR: G Willie Lampkin
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Waived: DE DeMarvin Leal
Leal, a third-round pick out of Texas A&M in 2022, has failed to live up to his draft stock thus far in the NFL. After only seeing game time in three games this year, he’s been waived to make room for the defensive tackle Pittsburgh signed off of the Chiefs’ practice squad yesterday.
Huzzie, after spending much of his rookie season on the reserve/non-football injury list, is being sent to waivers. Should he clear them, it’s expected that he’ll return to Houston on a practice squad deal.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/5/25
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: TE Josiah Deguara
Atlanta Falcons
- Waived: DL Ta’Quon Graham
Chicago Bears
- Activated from IR: LB Amen Ogbongbemiga
Detroit Lions
- Signed from practice squad: LB Ty Summers
- Placed on IR: OL Christian Mahogany
Los Angeles Chargers
- Designated for return from IR: DT Da’Shawn Hand
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed from practice squad: RB Ronnie Rivers
Miami Dolphins
- Signed off Lions’ practice squad: DE Andre Carter II
New Orleans Saints
- Signed from practice squad: RB Audric Estime
New York Jets
- Signed from practice squad: S Dean Clark
- Placed on IR: S Andre Cisco (story)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed off Chiefs’ practice squad: DT Brodric Martin
Tennessee Titans
- Claimed off waivers (from Seahawks): S Jerrick Reed
Washington Commanders
- Signed from practice squad: WR Treylon Burks, DT Sheldon Day
49ers, Bears, Steelers To Meet With CB Asante Samuel Jr.
Asante Samuel Jr.‘s schedule is starting to look like a draft prospect’s itinerary of “30” visits. After the former Chargers cornerback received clearance to return from a troublesome injury, three more teams have entered the fray.
Following a report indicating the Packers, Panthers and Vikings had lined up visits, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler notes the free agent corner is set to meet with the 49ers, Bears and Steelers as well. While the Broncos not being in this mix will keep the Mountain Time Zone out of the mix, Samuel will otherwise — should he take all the meetings — make a cross-country trek over the next week.
After today’s Panthers visit, Samuel will meet with the Packers on Thursday and the Vikings on Friday. The 49ers, Bears and Steelers meetings will go off, respectively, Monday through Wednesday of next week. This jampacked schedule will give a host of teams the opportunity evaluate a player who spent his four-year Chargers run as a regular starter.
Cleared after spinal fusion surgery, Samuel will have met with a fourth of the league this year if he takes all these meetings. He met with the Saints and Cardinals during the spring and was later connected to the Dolphins’ months-long CB search. This will certainly provide Samuel quality intel on a chunk of the league’s facilities and schemes, something that could be relevant for a 2026 free agency foray, while the upcoming meetings should determine which team lands a young starter-level cover man following the trade deadline.
The 49ers have used Deommodore Lenoir, Renardo Green and rookie Upton Stout as their primary starters this season. Pro Football Focus has rated Stout as the league’s second-worst CB regular — ahead of only the since-retired Xavien Howard. The 49ers have flexibility here, as both Lenoir and Green have slot experience. Lenoir has operated in a hybrid capacity in multiple seasons, giving San Francisco options if a Samuel signing comes to pass. Samuel has primarily been a boundary corner as a pro.
Pittsburgh has transitioned Jalen Ramsey to safety, following their 2023 move with Patrick Peterson. The Steelers have also seen Darius Slay‘s age-34 season produce some bumps. PFF grades Pittsburgh perimeter corners Slay and Joey Porter Jr. 68th and 71st among corners, respectively. The team also has Brandin Echols, who has logged nearly half of his snaps in the slot this season.
Battling uphill at corner due to Jaylon Johnson‘s early-season injury, the Bears rank 25th in pass defense. Kyler Gordon also missed a chunk of time earlier this season, but the high-paid slot patrolman is back. PFF ranks Chicago fill-in options Nick McCloud and Nahshon Wright outside the top 100 among CBs this season.
Prior to knowledge about Samuel’s surgery — which took place in April — PFR ranked him 32nd on our top 50 free agent list. Samuel, 26, profiled as a younger alternative to the deep late-20s crop at the position this year. But the surgery tabled interest, which has now come flooding back following the report of his clearance. This could go down as a lost season for Samuel, but he could potentially avoid the “prove it” FA tier in 2026 by catching on with a member of his suitor sextet and making notable contributions to close this season.
Raiders Trade WR Jakobi Meyers To Jaguars
10:26pm: Concerning the two draft picks headed from Duval to Clark County, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer provided some details on exactly which picks Vegas will bring in. Per Breer, the fourth-round pick is conditional in that it will end up being the higher of Jacksonville’s two picks in that round. They currently hold their own fourth-rounder and that of Minnesota, who sent a conditional fifth-round pick in 2024 in exchange for offensive tackle Cam Robinson. Robinson met the conditions necessary to upgrade that pick to the fourth round.
The sixth-round pick going to the Raiders is tied to the Jets. New York sent it to Cleveland in a trade that brought defensive tackle Jowon Briggs to the Jets. Cleveland then sent it to the Jaguars along with cornerback Greg Newsome in order to acquire Tyson Campbell.
10:34am: A big trade domino will fall in the AFC, but the suitor has not been a regular in the oft-rumored receiver mix. The Raiders are trading Jakobi Meyers to the Jaguars, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. The trade is now official.
Las Vegas will collect fourth- and sixth-round picks from Jacksonville, per Schefter. The Steelers joined the Jags in pursuing Meyers, but it appears they were not willing to part with this level of draft capital to land the rental chip. No extension is in place, per SI.com’s Albert Breer, confirming Meyers is — as of now, at least — a rental.
The Jags held two fourth-rounders entering deadline day; NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports the higher of the AFC South team’s two fourths will go to the Raiders. This move comes after the Jags placed Travis Hunter on IR and saw Brian Thomas Jr. suffer an ankle injury in Week 9. The Jags received an up-close view of Meyers, having faced the Raiders in that OT matchup. Meyers will now finish out his three-year, $33MM contract in Florida.
Meyers, 29 this week, had angled for a Vegas departure for a while. He asked for a trade this summer, as extension talks stalled, but the Raiders refused at the time. When the AFC West team struggled early this season, it became more receptive to moving on. Even with Meyers having played with minority Raiders owner Tom Brady — a factor in multiple signings elsewhere on the roster this offseason — the Raiders are separating for two Day 3 picks.
Jacksonville gave up its 2026 first-round pick in the three-spot jump for Hunter in April, but the team was still well-stocked with draft capital for 2026. The team came into the day with 13 picks (h/t Schefter), making the losses of fourth- and sixth-rounders passable, as an 11-selection arsenal is obviously still high for a single draft. The Liam Coen-James Gladstone regime continues to retool the Jags’ receiver position, something that began early this offseason.
In addition to cutting tight end Evan Engram, the Jags traded Christian Kirk to the Texans and then cut Devin Duvernay, Josh Reynolds and 2024 free agency addition Gabe Davis. Attempting to build around Thomas and Hunter, the team has seen inconsistent returns from both this season. Prior to his knee injury, Hunter had not caught on as a receiver. The two-way player struggled to factor into the offense regularly, though hope existed bigger contributions were on tap post-bye. Thomas (30 catches, 420 yards, one touchdown) has not matched his rookie-year for m yet, and his injury left Parker Washington as Trevor Lawrence‘s top target to close the team’s 30-29 win over the Raiders.
Meyers was linked to the Steelers at multiple points, with the Bills also contacting the Raiders on the contract-year wideout. It was believed the Raiders eyed a Day 2 pick for Meyers, but considering he is a 2026 free agent, two Day 3 selections does not qualify as underwhelming. Even though Davante Adams and Amari Cooper respectively brought third-rounders back to the Raiders and Browns last year, the Chiefs only paid a fifth-rounder for DeAndre Hopkins last year. Meyers is not in that class, but he has been a consistent wideout — largely on struggling teams.
Although Brock Bowers became the Vegas centerpiece player on offense last season, Meyers still produced following the Adams trade/faux injury stretch pre-trade. Meyers caught 87 passes for 1,027 yards and four touchdowns last season. In 2023, he totaled 71 receptions for 807 yards and eight scores as an Adams sidekick. Meyers is riding a four-season streak of 800-plus-yard seasons, as he also served as a regular target — for Brady, Cam Newton and Mac Jones — in New England.
The former UDFA had played well on his $11MM-per-year contract — one authorized by the Josh McDaniels-Dave Ziegler duo — but the Raiders changed regimes twice during his short tenure in Nevada. The Brady-Pete Carroll-John Spytek contingent will build around Bowers, with a pressing WR need — Tre Tucker‘s presence notwithstanding — on tap come 2026. Tucker leads the current Raiders in receiving, though Bowers has missed time with injury. The team also added longtime Carroll Seahawks charge Tyler Lockett, signaling Meyers — who had still sought a trade during his walk year — would be on the move.
The Raiders are projected, once compensatory picks are factored in, to have 10 picks in next year’s draft (h/t ESPN.com’s Jordan Reid). The Jags, though, would be the team to fetch a 2027 comp pick — depending on their 2026 free agency activity — if Meyers departs in free agency.
The Meyers-Jags move, while casting some doubt about the team’s view of Hunter’s stretch-run capabilities, also takes a key trade piece off the market for WR suitors. The Bills and Steelers have been consistently linked to wideouts ahead of the deadline. This Jacksonville strike for Meyers will make the Rashid Shaheed market more interesting.
Even though a recent report indicated the Saints could hold onto Shaheed to go with Chris Olave, the former’s contract-year status — on a rebuilding team — has always made him a logical trade chip. Will he end up in Buffalo or Pittsburgh (or on another roster) before the 3pm CT deadline?
The Jags could have a deep receiver arsenal set for action late this season, as they continue a playoff push. Currently sitting in the No. 7 seed, Jacksonville (5-4) could theoretically roll out a Thomas-Hunter-Meyers trio late in the season. But Meyers looks like protection against Hunter being shut down. The team also rosters FA signing Dyami Brown and summer trade pickup Tim Patrick, though Washington has been a more prominent part of Coen’s first Jags offense. It will be interesting to see how quickly Meyers gets up to speed, as the Jags certainly need to see more consistency from Lawrence to stick the landing on postseason qualification.