NFL trade deadline tracker: Latest news, updates, analysis on teams' deals
The NFL trade deadline marks the last opportunity for teams to make a major shake-up before the stretch run of the regular season.
Before 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, general managers and coaches can swing deals to either gear up for a playoff push or look toward the future by clearing cap space or loading up on draft capital. And several notable names - including Von Miller, Stephon Gilmore and Zach Ertz – have already been moved ahead of the cutoff date.
USA TODAY Sports has already detailed the notable players that could be moved this year as well as which teams are buyers and which ones are sellers. Check back for more updates leading to Tuesday's deadline.
Latest NFL trade news
Several big names staying
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The NFL's trade deadline has come and gone, and most of the marquee figures tied to trade talks aren't going anywhere.
The Houston Texans are keeping quarterback Deshaun Watson and wide receiver Brandin Cooks. Indianapolis Colts running back Marlon Mack and Los Angeles Rams wide receiver DeSean Jackson weren't dealt even though they requested to be traded. (Jackson later announced on Instagram that he was being released.)
Meanwhile, a few notable players on the franchise tag – including Chicago Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Cam Robinson and New York Jets safety Marcus Maye – all will play out the year with their current teams.
No Deshaun Watson deal
After weeks of speculation that he could land with the Miami Dolphins, Deshaun Watson is staying put.
The Houston Texans won't trade the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback before Tuesday's trade deadline, as the 22 civil lawsuits and 10 criminal complaints against him left questions about Watson's future.
Watson, who has been inactive for the Texans' first eight games this season and is not practicing with the team, will not resume his NFL career until 2022 at the earliest, barring an unforeseen change of events.
Texans continue to unload
The Houston Texans weren't done dealing away players after sending running back Mark Ingram to the New Orleans Saints.
The Texans are trading defensive end Charles Omenihu to the San Francisco 49ers, NFL Network reported on Tuesday.
Omenihu, a fifth-round draft pick out of Texas in 2019, has recorded five pressures this year and has yet to record a sack after appearing in six games and starting two.
Melvin Ingram on the move
The Kanas City Chiefs are adding to their pass rush by acquiring Melvin Ingram from the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Ingram, 32, had fallen out of favor with the Steelers, playing just 17 defensive snaps in Week 6 before being inactive for Pittsburgh's win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
In Kansas City, he should serve as a low-cost addition to a struggling pass rush.
All quiet for the Cowboys
Don't expect Dallas to be among the teams to swing a deal on Tuesday.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Tuesday morning that “I don’t look for us to be doing anything today."
The Cowboys are coming off their sixth straight win and face the Denver Broncos on Sunday.
Move coming for Kyle Fuller?
The Broncos are looking to swing a trade to send away cornerback Kyle Fuller, ProFootballTalk reported.
Ronald Darby's return has made Fuller expendable, and Nate Hairston served as Bryce Callahan's replacement when the slot cornerback was injured.
A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Fuller could help a contender down the stretch.
Bucs not selling low on RB Jones
Bruce Arians doesn't seem intent on parting with running back Ronald Jones.
Even though the former first-round pick has taken a backseat to starter Leonard Fournette, Jones likely won't be on the move barring an "extraordinary" offer at the deadline, Arians said.
“It would have to be something really, really special, because I love the way he’s running and it’s just one nick on Leonard and RoJo is the guy again,” Arians said Monday, according to the Tampa Bay Times. “It’s still a great 1-2 punch."
Jones has rushed for 194 yards this year but not logged more than 10 carries in a contest. He has also been a non-factor in the passing game with just four receptions.
Packers hunting for a deal?
Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur acknowledged Monday that his team is "working extremely hard trying to find something" at the trade deadline.
“If the right opportunity presents itself, I think that’s something that we could be involved with,” LaFleur said. “I know (Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst) and his staff are working extremely hard at trying to find something. It’s just whether or not the right opportunity exists.”
Riding a seven-game win streak and tied for the NFL's best record at 7-1, the Packers had been seen as likely buyers at the deadline. Wide receiver could be a potential point of interest, though Green Bay hopes to have its top three players at the position - including star Davante Adams - back for this week. Tight end could also be a focus, as starter Robert Tonyan is out for the year with a torn ACL.
Lions might not have a shake-up ahead
Even amid an 0-8 start, the Detroit Lions might not be inclined to make any substantial moves at the trade deadline.
Lions coach Dan Campbell said Monday the team was "open to listening to anything" but that nothing appeared to be materializing.
"I don’t see anything right now that I could say has got any legs," Campbell said.
Unloading high-priced pass rusher Trey Flowers might be unrealistic given his contract, and the Lions otherwise might be reticent to part with any meaningful contributors.
Saints not searching for a QB
The New Orleans Saints appear to be standing pat with their in-house options after Jameis Winston was lost for the season to a torn ACL.
Saints coach Sean Payton said Monday that it would be "a challenge" to bring in an outside quarterback given the challenges of getting any passer up to speed in the offense.
That likely means that Trevor Siemian and Taysom Hill will get their opportunities to serve as starter moving forward.
Completed NFL trades
Denver Broncos send cornerback Kary Vincent to Philadelphia Eagles for 2022 sixth-round pick
Analysis: Denver moved a cornerback, but not the one many expected, as Kyle Fuller is staying with the team. Vincent was a seventh-round pick out of LSU this year but has yet to play as a rookie. The Eagles also acquired Tay Gowan in the Zach Ertz trade, so it's clear Philadelphia wants to take a look at some young cornerbacks.
Kansas City Chiefs send Laurent Duvernay-Tardif to New York Jets for tight end Dan Brown
Analysis: Duvernay-Tardif has not played since Super Bowl 54 after opting out of last season to work as an orderly in a Montreal long-term care facility amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He agreed to waive his no-trade clause as part of the deal and could be a contributor on a Jets line in need of help. Brown has not logged a catch this year and likely will primarily contribute on special teams.
Houston Texans send defensive end Charles Omenihu to San Francisco 49ers for late-round pick
Analysis: The fire sale is on in Houston. Texans GM Nick Caserio appears to be trying to scrape together whatever draft capital he can as he unloads players. Omenihu had been relegated to a backup role behind Jonathan Greenard and Jacob Martin, and he was a healthy scratch twice this year. Nick Bosa and Arik Armstead hold down the edges for San Francisco's defense, but Omenihu adds depth at a low cost for a young player who has flashed promising potential. That could come in handy with Dee Ford not able to offer much and Armstead potentially moving inside occasionally after defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw suffered a season-ending knee injury, though Omenihu can work on the interior as well.
Pittsburgh Steelers send outside linebacker Melvin Ingram to Kansas City Chiefs for sixth-round pick
Analysis: Ingram sought a trade from Pittsburgh after seeing his role dwindle in recent weeks. Kansas City is a sensible landing spot, as their pass rush has floundered this season. The cap-strapped Chiefs couldn't afford a splashier move, so Ingram gives them a low-cost solution. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh has cleared the way for second-year pass rusher Alex Highsmith.
Denver Broncos send outside linebacker Von Miller to Los Angeles Rams for 2022 second- and third-round picks
Analysis: Barring a Deshaun Watson trade, this could be the defining deal of the deadline. Few expected the Broncos to part with the face of the franchise and former Super Bowl MVP, but it's clear Denver is looking for a different formula after its defense helped compensate for the franchise's many quarterback whiffs in recent years. Those two Day 2 picks should come in handy for when GM George Paton wants to make his play for a franchise signal-caller - either in a trade or via the draft. Los Angeles, meanwhile, lands another superstar for its defense by dealing away draft capital. The Rams have an NFL-best 25 sacks, but Raheem Morris' unit likely won't need to be so reliant on the blitz with Miller on board.
Houston Texans send running back Mark Ingram to New Orleans Saints for 2024 seventh-round pick
Analysis: A sensible swap for both sides. New Orleans gets a veteran running back familiar with the Saints' offense, and he could come in handy down the stretch if Alvin Kamara needs to take on a bigger role in the passing game after quarterback Jameis Winston was lost for the season to a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Houston, meanwhile, had little reason to carry on with a soon-to-be 32-year-old running back amid the franchise's extensive rebuild.
Philadelphia Eagles send quarterback Joe Flacco to New York Jets for 2022 sixth-round pick
Analysis: Hard to figure out the Jets' vision with this deal after the team bypassed signing a veteran backup like Flacco in the offseason. The signal-caller didn't join Gang Green until Friday, leaving Mike White to serve as Zach Wilson's fill-in after the rookie's injury. Maybe Joe Douglas couldn't have seen White's breakout coming, but there was little reason to make this deal for a team out of the playoff mix. The Eagles were in fine shape with Gardner Minshew able to serve as Jalen Hurts' backup, so recouping a pick should be seen as a boon.
Los Angeles Rams send linebacker Kenny Young to Denver Broncos for exchange of 2024 late-round picks
Analysis: This essentially amounted to a cap-clearing move for Los Angeles, which saved $1.3 million with the deal, according to overthecap. Denver, meanwhile, was able to pick up a starter on the cheap for a linebacker corps that had been hit hard by injuries.
Philadelphia Eagles send tight end Zach Ertz to Arizona Cardinals for cornerback Tay Gowan and 2022 fifth-round pick
Analysis: Ertz got his long-awaited exit from Philadelphia and leaves ranking No. 2 in career receptions for the franchise (579). Arizona had incentive to add help at tight end after Maxx Williams suffered a season-ending knee injury. Ertz is already off to a fast start with the Cardinals, recording a 47-yard touchdown in his debut and saying he had "never seen so much green grass in the middle of the field."
New England Patriots send cornerback Stephon Gilmore to Carolina Panthers for 2023 sixth-round pick
Analysis: It's difficult to believe that the 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year would fetch only a sixth-round pick, but the Patriots made it clear they planned to part with Gilmore before eventually reaching this deal. While the cornerback was expected to be a splashy addition to a dominant pass defense, Carolina has gone 1-3 since the deal. Gilmore played in just 17 snaps in his 2021 debut in Sunday's win over the Atlanta Falcons, and it might take him some time to get comfortable after starting the year on the PUP list with a quad injury. New England has since lost fellow cornerback Jonathan Jones to a season-ending shoulder injury but has pushed back into the AFC playoff mix at 4-4.
