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NFL Trade Deadline Recap: Jets Blow It Up, Colts Load Up, and the League Reshuffles Before the Stretch Run
The
2025 NFL trade deadline
has officially come and gone, and with it, a flurry of blockbuster moves, bold gambles, and a few missed opportunities that could define the rest of the season. As the dust settles, one truth stands out: some teams managed to be both winners and losers at once.
The New York Jets were the headline act of deadline day, pulling off two massive trades that sent shockwaves across the league. In the span of a few hours, the Jets shipped out Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts and Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys, officially signaling the start of a full rebuild under first-year head coach Aaron Glenn.
For fans in New York, this season just went from bad to brutal, but for general manager Darren Mougey, it was a masterclass in asset management. The Jets netted a massive return: three first-round picks, a second-rounder, wideout AD Mitchell, and defensive tackle Mazi Smith, giving them the draft capital to start over and, most importantly, chase a franchise quarterback.
Meanwhile, contenders made aggressive plays of their own. The Colts became instant winners by landing Gardner, a two-time All-Pro who gives Indy’s defense the elite shutdown presence it lacked. The move also signals full confidence in Daniel Jones, who’s earned a likely extension after a 7–1 start and a season that’s revived his career.
Down in Dallas, Jerry Jones bought himself some breathing room by acquiring Williams, reuniting him with his former defensive line coach. It’s a move that makes sense both financially and strategically, defensive tackles are cheaper than edge rushers, and Dallas desperately needed help after trading Micah Parsons earlier this year.
The Philadelphia Eagles continued their all-in approach, with GM Howie Roseman adding Jaire Alexander, Michael Carter II, and Jaelan Phillips to reinforce Vic Fangio’s defense. Few GMs in football are as fearless as Roseman, and once again, the Eagles look ready to make another deep postseason push.
Other Notable Winners:
- Justin Herbert — Finally gets some protection with the Chargers trading for tackle Trevor Penning.
- A.J. Brown — Stays put in Philly and remains part of a Super Bowl-caliber offense, despite offseason trade speculation.
But not everyone came out on top. Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers struck out on a much-needed wide receiver upgrade after Jakobi Meyers was traded to the Jaguars, leaving Pittsburgh thin at the skill positions. The Bengals, mired in defensive struggles, inexplicably held onto Trey Hendrickson, missing a chance to cash in on one of their few tradeable assets.
The Rams’ NFC West title hopes also took a hit as the Seahawks landed Rashid Shaheed, adding even more firepower to an already loaded offense led by Sam Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
And then there are the Giants, stuck in no man’s land. Despite a 2–7 record, New York made no moves at all, reportedly due to uncertainty around the futures of Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen. Across town, Washington’s decision not to trade Deebo Samuel also raised eyebrows, especially as injuries pile up and their playoff chances fade.
Now that the dust has settled, the trade deadline has redrawn the NFL’s power map. The Colts and Eagles look like teams built to win now. The Jets are starting from scratch. And a few clubs, from Cincinnati to New York, might soon regret standing still.
The second half of the season just got a lot more interesting.
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The 2025 NFL trade deadline has officially come and gone, and with it, a flurry of blockbuster moves, bold gambles, and a few missed opportunities that could define the rest of the season. As the dust settles, one truth stands out: some teams managed to be both winners and ...
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