The NFL trade deadline arrived on November 4, 2025, marking the final opportunity for 32 teams to reshape their rosters before the stretch run to the playoffs. With the cutoff at 4 p.m. ET, franchises across the league engaged in strategic dealing to address roster gaps, reinforce playoff positioning, or move players before potential free agency departures. The trading activity reflected a clear defensive emphasis, with teams prioritizing pass rushers, cornerbacks, and linebackers to fortify their second-half push.
Trades Completed
46 combined tackles, 4 passes defended, 1 fumble recovery
Career: Four consecutive 100+ tackle seasons (2021-2024)
TO: Dallas Cowboys
COMPENSATION: 2026 7th-round pick
4.5 sacks, defensive line reinforcement
Contract: One-year deal
TO: Baltimore Ravens
COMPENSATION: Conditional 2026 5th-round pick
3 sacks, 25 tackles, 1 fumble recovery
Career High: 8.5 sacks (2021 rookie season)
TO: Philadelphia Eagles
COMPENSATION: 2026 3rd-round pick
Career: Multiple All-Pro selections
Note: Limited 2025 appearances due to recent pickup by Ravens
TO: Philadelphia Eagles
COMPENSATION: 2026 6th-round + 2027 7th-round picks
441 tackles, 9 interceptions in 81 games
Draft: 2020 2nd-round pick
TO: Pittsburgh Steelers
COMPENSATION: 2026 6th-round pick
88 tackles, 10 TFL in 38 games
Draft: 2023 2nd-round pick
TO: San Francisco 49ers (Nick Bosa injury replacement)
COMPENSATION: 2026 6th-round pick
Trade Deadline Activity
The Dallas Cowboys initiated the deadline day activity by acquiring linebacker Logan Wilson from the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for a 2026 seventh-round pick. Wilson, who had requested a trade after losing his starting position to rookie Barrett Carter, brings veteran leadership and four consecutive 100-tackle seasons to a Dallas defense that ranks 31st in yards allowed and 31st in scoring defense. The Cowboys, sitting at 3-5-1, faced immediate defensive needs after Monday’s 27-17 loss to Arizona, with owner Jerry Jones hinting at imminent roster moves before the deadline approached.
Wilson’s departure from Cincinnati comes amid the Bengals’ 3-6 season and clear shift toward younger linebackers. Under defensive coordinator Al Golden’s scheme, Wilson’s snaps decreased significantly from Weeks 6-8, playing just 58 snaps across those three games. Despite losing starting duties, Wilson’s Pro Football Focus grade of 54.8 exceeds all three starting linebackers currently on Dallas’s roster, positioning him as a potential defensive anchor for the stretch run.
Teams Making Aggressive Moves
Cornerback Jaire Alexander, Edge Rusher Jaelan Phillips, Cornerback Michael Carter II
The defending Super Bowl champions aggressively reinforced their secondary and pass rush ahead of Tuesday’s deadline. Philadelphia sits 6-2 following their bye week and leads the NFC East. Deadline Buyers
Linebacker Logan Wilson acquired
The Cowboys’ defensive struggles (31st in yards allowed, 31st in points allowed) drove their deadline activity. Dallas enters their bye week at 3-5-1 with plans to return Nov. 17 against Las Vegas. Defensive Overhaul
Linebacker Logan Wilson traded out
At 3-6 during their bye week, the Bengals became sellers at the deadline. All-Pro defensive end Trey Hendrickson remains the subject of trade discussions, with Cincinnati seeking a 2026 first-round pick. Sellers Mode
The Philadelphia Eagles led all teams in deadline activity, executing three separate defensive trades within one week. The Eagles’ acquisition of Jaelan Phillips from Miami for a 2026 third-round pick adds a former first-round edge rusher to complement their secondary reinforcements. Phillips, who accumulated 6.5 sacks before a season-ending injury in 2024, has recorded three sacks in nine games this season. The 26-year-old edge rusher reunites with Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who previously worked with him in Miami during the 2023 season.
Philadelphia’s defensive acquisitions address specific roster gaps despite the team’s strong 6-2 record. The Eagles rank 18th in opponent passing yards and lead the NFC East, positioning themselves as legitimate Super Bowl contenders entering the season’s second half. Their aggressive approach contrasts sharply with teams like the struggling Miami Dolphins (2-7), who moved Phillips and other pieces to playoff contenders.
Deadline Week Timeline
Patriots Execute Double Trade
New England trades safety Kyle Dugger (2026 6th-round pick) and defensive end Keion White (2026 6th-round pick) to Pittsburgh and San Francisco respectively, executing a two-pronged defensive purge.
Eagles Acquire Jaire Alexander
Philadelphia trades 2026 6th and 2027 7th round picks to Baltimore for two-time Pro Bowler Jaire Alexander, reinforcing the cornerback position.
Multiple Trades Executed
Eagles acquire Jaelan Phillips from Miami for 2026 3rd-round pick; Ravens trade for Dre’Mont Jones from Tennessee for conditional 5th-round pick; Dallas owner Jerry Jones hints at imminent trade activity.
Deadline Day Culminates
Cowboys acquire Logan Wilson from Bengals for 2026 7th-round pick. The 4 p.m. ET cutoff approaches with potential additional activity from teams finalizing their rosters.
Ongoing Negotiations & Player Status
Trade Value Breakdown
| Player | Position | From | To | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Logan Wilson | Linebacker | Cincinnati | Dallas | 2026 7th-round pick |
| Dre’Mont Jones | Edge Rusher | Tennessee | Baltimore | Conditional 2026 5th-round pick |
| Jaelan Phillips | Edge Rusher | Miami | Philadelphia | 2026 3rd-round pick |
| Jaire Alexander | Cornerback | Baltimore | Philadelphia | 2026 6th + 2027 7th-round picks |
| Kyle Dugger | Safety | New England | Pittsburgh | 2026 6th-round pick |
| Keion White | Defensive End | New England | San Francisco | 2026 6th-round pick |
The 2025 trade deadline reflected clear patterns in deadline strategy and team positioning. Contending teams like Philadelphia invested multiple draft picks in immediate reinforcements, betting on their current rosters’ ability to reach the Super Bowl. Struggling franchises like Cincinnati adopted a measured approach, trading aging players while retaining star talent like Trey Hendrickson in hopes of a future turnaround.
The defensive emphasis across all transactions underscored the league’s focus on pass rush and secondary strength. With 2025 college prospects highly valued and injury concerns mounting, teams prioritized proven edge rushers and cornerbacks. Dallas’s acquisition of Wilson—despite his declining snaps in Cincinnati—demonstrated desperation at linebacker, where Kenneth Murray and rookie Shemar James struggled significantly against both the run and pass.
What Trades Mean for the Second Half
The 2025 NFL trade deadline concluded with six confirmed moves, dominated by defensive acquisitions and featuring the Philadelphia Eagles as the primary buyer. Teams executed their strategies with clear eyes toward playoff positioning and immediate roster needs. The Cincinnati Bengals completed their first transaction by trading Logan Wilson to Dallas, addressing the Cowboys’ catastrophic defensive ranking while Cincinnati shifted focus to younger development under new defensive coordinator Al Golden.
The deadline discussions involved numerous other players and teams, with continuing negotiations around Trey Hendrickson, Quinnen Williams, Breece Hall, and others extending into the final hours before 4 p.m. ET. Philadelphia’s aggressive pursuit of three defensive pieces—Jaire Alexander, Jaelan Phillips, and Michael Carter II—positioned the defending Super Bowl champions as clear favorites entering the season’s home stretch. The trading activity will directly impact playoff races across the AFC and NFC, with several teams banking on deadline additions to supplement their push toward championship contention. The playoff picture entered November with renewed significance as teams completed their final roster adjustments for the season.
