The 2026 NFL trade deadline passed on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 4 p.m. ET, and the teams that acted aggressively separated themselves from the teams that stood still. The Minnesota Vikings solved their biggest problem. The Jacksonville Jaguars took the biggest risk. And the Indianapolis Colts kept their best player, even though he wanted a change of scenery.
The Vikings were 6-2, but their quarterback play had become a liability. They started Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz this season. On Tuesday, Minnesota acquired Kirk Cousins from the Las Vegas Raiders for a 2027 third-round pick. NFL.com graded the Vikings A- and the Raiders B+. Cousins last played for the Vikings in 2023, before a midseason Achilles tear. He made the Pro Bowl in 2022 and was on pace for nearly 5,000 yards the following year. For the full breakdown of every move, see the NFL’s transactions page, NFL.com’s grades for each deal, and our earlier guide to the NFL trade deadline.
The deadline mattered because the margin between a playoff team and an early exit is thin. A single upgrade at quarterback or safety can change a season. The teams that waited, like the Los Angeles Rams, now have to hope their existing roster is enough. The teams that acted, like the Vikings and the Bills, bought themselves a better chance.
NFL trade deadline 2026 winners losers: the deals that shaped the deadline
The Jaguars were the busiest team. They acquired nose tackle Jordan Davis from the Philadelphia Eagles for a 2027 first-round pick and a 2029 second-round pick. NFL.com graded the Jaguars C+ and the Eagles A. Jacksonville also acquired safety Jessie Bates III from the Atlanta Falcons for a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick, and defensive tackle Davon Godchaux from the New Orleans Saints. No other team added three players in one day.
The Colts took a different path. They did not trade star running back Jonathan Taylor, even though the New York Giants had been willing to give up a second-round pick and a fifth-round pick. Taylor spent two weeks waiting for an answer. He got only eight carries in the 42-7 loss to Jacksonville. Indianapolis did trade wide receiver Josh Downs to the Kansas City Chiefs for a 2027 fourth-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick, and it sent wide receiver Keenan Allen to the San Francisco 49ers. The Colts are rebuilding after firing general manager Chris Ballard last month.
The Buffalo Bills made the other clearest upgrade. They acquired safety Amani Hooker and a 2027 fifth-round pick from the Tennessee Titans for a 2027 second-round pick. NFL.com graded the Bills A- and the Titans B+. Hooker is tied for the NFL lead with five interceptions in 2026, and he joins a defense that came into the week ranked 30th in passing yards allowed.
Other moves were smaller. The Denver Broncos acquired linebacker Daiyan Henley from the Los Angeles Chargers for a 2027 fourth-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick. The Baltimore Ravens acquired quarterback Jacoby Brissett from the Arizona Cardinals after losing both Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley to injury. The Detroit Lions acquired safety Andre Cisco from the New York Jets for a 2028 sixth-round pick. For live updates on the deadline, see Yahoo Sports’ coverage.
The Rams were the most notable team to do nothing. They have lost Puka Nacua and Davante Adams to injuries and are thin at receiver. They went from preseason Super Bowl favorite to a slight underdog just to make the playoffs.
The next month will show which bets paid off. The Vikings and Bills improved their rosters without giving up early picks. The Jaguars bet heavily on a defensive line that has to dominate. And the Colts now have to rebuild around a running back who wanted to leave.
Who won the 2026 NFL trade deadline?
The Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills were the clearest winners. The Vikings solved a serious quarterback problem by acquiring Kirk Cousins for only a third-round pick. The Bills upgraded their secondary with Amani Hooker, who is tied for the league lead with five interceptions. The Jacksonville Jaguars took the biggest risk, giving up a first-round pick for Jordan Davis.
