Trade Deadline Madness: Teams take big swings | A to Z Sports All-NFL newsletter

Our A to Z Sports NFL newsletter for November 4, 2025.

Adam Zientek, Destin Adams, Evan Winter, Mauricio Rodriguez

Nov 4, 2025 5:35 PM EST

Teams had until 4 p.m. ET on Nov. 4 to strike a deal at the NFL trade deadline. Plenty of exciting trades happened up until the closing moments of the deadline. Our team at A to Z Sports broke down what the trades mean across the NFL, with some big additions to a few contenders.

It’s one of the most fun days of the year, depending on who you are rooting for, and the NFL landscape has been shaken up with more than one blockbuster trade.

Here’s everything we know about the deals that were made at the deadline.

Cowboys waste no time bringing in some help

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said that the team was going to be making some trades, and he came through on his promise in a big way. The team traded for former Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson for a seventh-round pick.

Mauricio Rodriguez, A to Z Sports Dallas writer, broke down why the trade for Wilson checks the box that the Cowboys needed the most:

“At 3-5-1, the Cowboys’ playoff hopes for the 2025 season are close to being over. But Wilson, nicknamed “Cowboy,” is under contract through 2027. His cap hits are under $10 million for each of the next two seasons. That is to say, Wilson checks the box of being a player who helps beyond this season. A one-year rental would have made no sense, even if it were just a seventh-round pick they were giving up.

“For Cincinnati, it’s a chance to do right by a team captain. For Dallas, it’s a move with long-term implications. On a more cynical note, the trade also helps the Cowboys sell hope to some diehard fans. But at three wins in Week 10, the Cowboys would need to go 7-1 to have a legit chance at the postseason.” —Mauricio Rodriguez

Making a splash on Tuesday, the team made a blockbuster move to trade for former New York Jets and All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams. Two high-profile deals for the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys sent a 2026 second-round draft pick, 2027 first-round draft pick, and defensive tackle Mazi Smith for Williams.

Rodriguez, once again, pointed out how the move helps the Cowboys, even though Dallas has some tough sledding if they want to make the offseason:

“I still firmly believe the Cowboys mishandled the Parsons situation, and the arrival of Kenny Clark did little to change my opinion. But Williams is an elite player and a game-wrecker at three-technique. Even if it doesn’t right a previous wrong, adding Williams to the roster feels like the first real benefit of trading Parsons away. After all, he’s an All-Pro caliber player.

“Dallas has gotten underwhelming results from Osa Odighizuwa and Clark in recent weeks, raising long-term questions at one of the most important positions in Matt Eberflus’ defensive scheme. This move answers them.” —Mauricio

Dallas wound up being buyers at the deadline, with two huge additions to the defense.

Colts make blockbuster trade

Perhaps the biggest trade of the day involved the New York Jets and the Indianapolis Colts. Superstar cornerback Sauce Gardner was traded, a surprising twist that further pushes the Colts into the mix as one of the best teams in the league.

Destin Adams, A to Z Sports Indianapolis writer, broke down the trade and what it means for the Colts moving forward:

“The Colts are sending their first-round picks in 2026 and 2027 to the Jets, along with WR AD Mitchell. In return, they get one of the NFL’s top CBs. Indianapolis completely reshaped its CB room with the move, as they now have one of the best trios in the league when healthy with Gardner, Ward, and Kenny Moore II.

“The Colts have the best record in the NFL at 7-2 and have now told their fans and the world that they are legitimate Super Bowl contenders. This is also a reunion for Sauce and Colts WR Alec Pierce, who played together at the University of Cincinnati. Pierce is a free agent after this season, but with the news that the Colts sent Mitchell to the Jets, I would say he’s a near lock to be re-signed.

“This is not the same Ballard-led Colts of old. This team believes it is the real deal, and Ballard just dropped the mic on everyone who didn’t believe they were ready to go all in on this season.” —Destin Adams

The Jets were having a flash sale, shipping away multiple important pieces right up until the deadline.

Rashid Shaheed finds a new home in Seattle

The last big trade of the day is centered around former New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed, who was dealt to the Seattle Seahawks. It was a perfect landing spot for the speedy wide receiver.

Evan Winter broke down the trade and what it means for quarterback Sam Darnold and the Seahawks’ offense:

“Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Seahawks sent the New Orleans Saints a fourth- and fifth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

“It’s a move that should help an already-effective Seahawks passing attack become even more so. Shaheed is true downfield threat that can take the top off the defense at any point in time. His speed can also help open up space for the running game, as opposing defenses will have to use more two-safety sets when he’s on the field.

“Darnold has arguably been the NFL’s best downfield passer through the first nine weeks of the season. Per NFL Pro, he’s second in passing yards (564), seventh in touchdowns (4), first in completion percentage (68.2%) and QB rating (150.6), and second in EPA per dropback on throws of 20+ air yards (1.68).

“He has an elite ability to hit throws downfield, especially off play-action, and that’s the perfect complement for what Shaheed does best, which is burn opposing defenses.” —Evan

Other player trades from around the league

Chargers acquire offensive lineman Trevor Penning from the Saints
Bears acquire defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka from the Browns
Jaguars acquire wide receiver Jakobi Meyers from the Raiders
Ravens acquire linebackerDre’Mont Jones from the Titans
Eagles acquire outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips from the Dolphins
Eagles acquire cornerback Jaire Alexander from the Ravens
Eagles acquire cornerback Michael Carter IIfrom the Jets
Jets acquire wide receiver John Metchie III from the Eagles
Steelers acquire safety Kyle Dugger from the Patriots
49ers acquire defensive end Keion White from the Patriots
Rams acquire cornerback Roger McCrearyfrom the Titans
Browns acquire cornerback Greg Newsome IIfrom the Jaguars
Jaguars acquire cornerback Tyson Campbellfrom the Browns
Chargers acquire outside linebacker Odafe Oweh from the Ravens
Ravens acquire safety Alohi Gilman from the Chargers
Bengals acquire quarterback Joe Flacco from the Browns
Browns acquire offensive tackle Cam Robinson from the Texans
Jets acquire cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. from the Titans

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