It's NFL trade season with the deadline a week away (Nov. 10), so it's time to get weird with some predictions.
Okay, weird isn't enough. Let's get positively outlandish. We've gone through the NFL and tried to come up with some jaw-dropping trades that probably won't happen (but would be fantastic if they did).
Why not? Some of the upcoming trades are going to be boring. Let's imagine some absolute bombshells that would send sports fans into a frenzy. Inter-division lunacy? Superstars on the move to shocking spots? Let's do it.
Look, these, again, most likely won't happen. We may get laughed at for being so silly. However, don't you want to see what we've got? Of course you do! Let's get frisky with some outlandish NFL trade ideas for the 2026
deadline.
RB Jonathan Taylor, DT Grover Stewart to the Jaguars for WR Brian Thomas Jr. (and a couple of draft selection)
This would NEVER happen, right? Two AFC South foes exchanging superstar talent ahead of the trade deadline? What's going on with this world?! However, the Jaguars should call the Colts and see if they'd take the offer even they can't refuse from a rival. The Jaguars should make an absolutely looney offer to the Colts to address one big need and splurge on a superstar in a Super Bowl window. Taylor would take the Jacksonville offense to a different level. Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez Jr. make for a solid backfield, but neither are Taylor, obviously. The Jaguars should push all the chips in on the 2026-27 season by sending its 2027 first rounder to Indianapolis for Taylor and a 2027 fourth-round pick for Stewart, a run-stuffing vet who can steady the defensive line in January. Would the Colts help a rival? We imagine they'd be incredibly hesitant... until the Jaguars throw in wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. to get it over the finish line. The Colts take a gamble on unlocking Thomas' potential in 2027 with a likely new coaching staff and add two good draft picks in the process.
The Jaguars bite their tongue on potentially seeing Thomas thrive within the division to boost their offense with Taylor and their defense with Stewart. It's incredibly unlikely this would happen, but c'mon, both teams should put aside differences and give this a go. They'd both benefit quite a bit! Indianapolis going into 2027 with Alec Pearce and Thomas Jr. as its two wideouts and a first rounder would be a huge win. Jacksonville losing DaVon Hamilton for the season adds to the importance of Jacksonville adding to the defensive line. The Jaguars could make it all the way to Los Angeles to contend for a Super Bowl on adding Taylor and Stewart to the bunch to affect the run game.
TRADE TERMS: RB Taylor, DT Stewart to Jacksonville for WR Thomas Jr., a 2027 first rounder, a 2027 fourth rounder
QB Justin Herbert to the Vikings for QB Kyler Murray (and oodles draft capital)
The Vikings have the best defense in the NFL... perhaps one of the best defenses of all time. The team also has Murray, who has been... fine? ... leading the offense. This Vikings team can't go into the postseason loving its Super Bowl chances, even with a truly punishing defense crafted by mad scientist Brian Flores. Want to spice things up? Trade for Herbert, who may not be long for Los Angeles anyhow. Throw some real chaos into the NFC. See if Kevin O'Connell could get Herbert back on track in real time with a really good supporting cast. Sure, it's no trade for Taylor or Saquon Barkley, but Minnesota needs a gunslinger at quarterback to awaken this potentially lethal passing attack for January. Herbert finding his groove in Minnesota could give the Vikings a historically top-10 quarterback that opponents would need time to adjust to after half of a season with Murray under center. The cost would be immense, but so could the reward. The Vikings could legitimately be Super Bowl favorites if this all worked out.
For the Chargers, it's an opportunity to give offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel a quarterback in Murray who more fits his system. Murray is more similar in play style to Tua Tagovailoa, who did well for a time in Miami playing in McDaniel's offense. Murray is a decent player, but we wonder if he might benefit from auditioning for the long-term job in Los Angeles in an arguably more favorable scheme. Los Angeles would, of course, get a draft bounty for Herbert, but they'd also get a good replacement quarterback for 2026 (at least) and a better opportunity to evaluate what McDaniel brings to the organization. If neither work out? No seat, just move on to 2027 with your treasure trove of draft picks, even if quarterback and offensive coordinator become major offseason needs.
TRADE TERMS: Herbert and a 2027 fifth rounder to Minnesota for Murray, a 2027 first rounder, a 2028 first rounder and a 2029 second rounder
RB Saquon Barkley to the Patriots for RB TreVeyon Henderson (and a draft selection)
Remember when Bill Belichick would add veterans to his offense toward the end of their careers to shore up a Super Bowl run? Well, the Patriots could homage Belichick's legacy by trading for Barkley and giving its offense the elite run game it needs to balance out quarterback Drake Maye and the passing attack. New England has good players in the backfield, but it doesn't have a player of Barkley's caliber. The Philadelphia Eagles are a lost cause this season. Barkley probably isn't long for the City of Brotherly Love. The team could move Barkley's contract and add an intriguing young player in TreVeyon Henderson in a deal with the Patriots. Oh yeah. The Eagles should push for Henderson as a possible running back of the future so they've got that position partially settled for 2027.
A player-for-player swap probably wouldn't get it done since one player is absolutely better for the other, but how about the Patriots send Henderson and a 2027 third rounder? We imagine that would inspire Howie Roseman to get things moving. Look, we said these moves are outlandish, right? Two teams in two separate places get a deal done. While the Eagles may maintain a Barkley trade isn't happening, why can't it? Let's get weird with it! Make it happen!
TRADE TERMS: Barkley to New England for Henderson and a 2027 third rounder
DE Danielle Hunter to the Bills for DE Landon Jackson, draft capital
The Bills need a Terminator on the defensive line. The team has tons of talent on the defensive line, but it needs a Terminator. Greg Rousseau, Ed Oliver and Deone Walker are all fantastic, and T.J. Sanders has good potential. However, none of them are Hunter. Buffalo should call Houston and see if it can pry Hunter away for a Super Bowl run. Put a first rounder and change on the table and make them blink. Hunter would team up with Rousseau, Oliver and Walker to give Buffalo the kind of pulverizing defensive front that could get after any quarterback in the playoffs. Josh Allen deserves to finally get to February football; he can't do it by himself. Going all-in on the 2026 season with a superhuman in Hunter would scare the rest of the AFC with nightmares untold. Buffalo should just be wanton at this point; just how long can the Allen Super Bowl window last? How long until he gets antsy with stalled results in Buffalo and wants a change of scenery? Forget the draft picks; make the moment count if you can.
If you're the Texans, push back a bit. Yes, we want draft capital for Hunter. We'll also take defensive end Landon Jackson, a 2025 draft pick who could take some of Hunter's snaps in the defensive rotation. Look, the Texans aren't winning the Super Bowl this season. The defense isn't working right now. A Hunter trade may well come in the offseason. Get ahead of it now while Hunter's value is even higher. Shore up a key resource for a quick 2027 turnaround. Yes, Hunter would be gone. Remember, you have Will Anderson Jr. You're set for a bit at defensive end.
TRADE DETAILS: Hunter to Buffalo for a 2027 first rounder, a 2028 thrid rounder and defensive end Landon Jackson
WR George Pickens to the Chiefs for draft capital
The Dallas Cowboys aren't going anywhere major this year. If owner Jerry Jones admits that to himself and decides to sell at the trade deadline instead of buy (and accept he's probably not paying Pickens in the offseason), the Kansas City Chiefs would be a perfect landing spot. The Chiefs are the Chiefs; every season for them has major Super Bowl implications whether they like it or not. If the team wants to push all the chips in on 2026 (why wouldn't it?), landing Pickens in a blockbuster would be the move to make. Pickens is a game-breaking talent that would thrive with Patrick Mahomes throwing him the ball. Having him around for the second half of the season and the playoffs could position Kansas City as the team to beat in the AFC. He'd be that seismic an addition for the Chiefs.
For the Cowboys, get some draft capital back and build in the offseason. Figure out whether or not quarterback Dak Prescott is the guy for the future. Don't imagine a future with Pickens out there; you have CeeDee Lamb. You need so much else on the roster to really cause problems in the NFC. Don't trade for a pass-rusher at the deadline. Take a breather on a season that looks pretty middling and give yourself a chance to really reset in the offseason. Push Kansas City for its first-round draft pick and change for Pickens. We bet Kansas City would say yes in the end. The Chiefs can try to extend Pickens in the offseason... or just win a Super Bowl and get a sweet comp pick in 2028.
TRADE DETAILS: Pickens to Kansas City for a 2027 first rounder and a conditional 2028 third rounder (if team wins a Super Bowl, a fourth if they don't)
This article originally appeared on For The Win: 5 outlandish NFL trade deadline ideas (Justin Herbert to Vikings?!)
