The 2025 NFL Trade Deadline is rapidly approaching. Several winning teams with holes or injuries on their rosters will be looking to add key contributors, while underperforming teams will be looking to sell off players for future assets and look toward the 2026 season. Here is a deep dive into everything you need to know before the blockbuster deals and headlines start popping up!

 

 

 

When Is the 2025 NFL Trade Deadline?

The 2025 NFL Trade Deadline takes place on Tuesday, November 4, at 4:00 PM ET. All trading across the NFL stops at that time. Leading up to the 4:00 PM deadline, teams will be looking to make moves prior to then. 

On November 5, vested veterans become subject to waivers for the rest of the season. That changes how late-season roster adds work.

How the NFL Trade Deadline Works

Before 4:00 PM ET on November 4, teams complete trades by notifying the league and finalizing terms. Trades can trade players for other players or for future draft capital. Contending teams will be looking to make their teams better, while losing teams might be looking to gain future assets for later years. Deals become official after the player reports and passes a physical.

After the deadline, teams add players only via free agency or the waiver wire. Post-deadline, even vested veterans go through waivers. Claim priority follows league rules. 

Biggest NFL Trade Rumors Heading Into the Deadline

Trade rumors have been swirling more and more as we creep closer to the November 4th trade deadline. League reporting points to an active market through November 4. Recent deals and front-office chatter suggest a dozen or more moves are realistic.

First, San Francisco has been linked to edge help, with Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson discussed as a fit. Local and national reports align on pass rush as a 49ers priority. 

Meanwhile, running back talk is heating up. Insiders tie the Chiefs, Patriots, Chargers, and Texans to RB targets. Monitor veterans with expiring contracts, such as Breece Hall of the New York Jets and Devin Singletary of the New York Giants.

Miami chatter leans toward being a “seller” after a rough start, with edge rushers Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb drawing interest along with some skill players on offense.

Finally, two New Orleans Saints receivers, Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, have reportedly been mentioned in trade talks.

 

 

 

Teams Most Likely to Make Moves Before the Deadline

Many teams have already been flagged as “buyers” or “sellers” at the deadline. 

  • The 49ers profile as buyers at edge, driven by injuries and a win-now window.
  • The Patriots are reportedly looking to continue to improve their roster.
  • The Eagles could be looking to add defensive help, likely at either edge or cornerback, or potentially both.
  • Dallas Cowboys leadership signals readiness to deal, with picks and cap options to address defense.
  • The Seattle Seahawks have been flagged as an aggressive buyer candidate if the standings hold.
  • With several expiring contracts and aging veterans, along with a slow start to the season, the New Orleans Saints could be sellers at the deadline.
  • The Dolphins also fit a seller profile if losses stack up, with premium defenders drawing calls.
  • Early moves from Cleveland and others hint at more activity league-wide as teams sort into buyers and sellers.

Fantasy Football Impact of the NFL Trade Deadline

The NFL Trade Deadline could always shake things up for fantasy football. Last season, we saw the Jets offense transform in a fantasy sense when Davante Adams rejoined Aaron Rodgers in New York with the Jets.

Use the 2025 NFL trade deadline to get ahead on roster value. Running back trades create instant role shifts; stash high-leverage backups in ambiguous backfields. Chiefs, Patriots, Chargers, and Texans interest raises the odds of a late-season PPR riser.

Edge additions can swing streaming defenses. If an elite rusher lands on a contender, upgrade that D/ST for sacks and turnover upside. The 49ers' interest in Hendrickson would move their D/ST into weekly start range and change things significantly in IDP leagues.

Recent Trade Deadline Deals From Past Seasons

2024 delivered 18 deadline-period moves across the league. The 2024 Trade Deadline was highlighted by Davante Adams to the Jets, DeAndre Hopkins joining the Chiefs, and the Washington Commanders adding Marshon Lattimore.

2023 saw a flurry of moves as well, including Chase Young to the 49ers and Montez Sweat to the Bears on deadline day.

Finally, 2022 set a modern pace with deals for Christian McCaffrey to the 49ers, Bradley Chubb to the Dolphins, and Roquan Smith to the Ravens. These are templates for immediate fantasy shifts after elite talent moves.