Why the Jaguars Should Be Aggressive at the Trade Deadline

The Jacksonville Jaguars should not be afraid to continue to be bold at the trade deadline.

Jacksonville Jaguars general manager James Gladstone laughs during a press conference at Miller Electric Center Tuesday, April 15, 2025 in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Bold and unflinching.

That is what Jacksonville Jaguars general manager James Gladstone said the franchise would be when he was hired in February. And to this point, Gladstone has done nothing short of being unequivocally truthful.

The Travis Hunter trade was the first example of Gladstone and the Jaguars' boldness. The trade was nationally panned at the time and has been picked apart since, but the Jaguars didn't care then, and don't care now. They trusted their process then and believed in the player, and they have acted in the same manner with every other trade since.

And with next month's trade deadline quickly approaching, the Jaguars and Gladstone should stick true to the qualities that have defined them to this point.

Sep 21, 2025; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars general manager James Gladstone on the field during pregame against the Houston Texans at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Travis Register-Imagn Images | Travis Register-Imagn Images

Gladstone at the Trade Deadline

It remains to be seen what kind of trades the Jaguars could be interested in when it comes to the deadline. Typically, there are two different schools of thoughts when it comes to trades.

A team can attempt to pull off a blockbuster, though the only real candidate for that type of trade seems to be Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson. It remains to be seen if the Jaguars would be interested in such a trade, but the fact they already made one such trade to land Hunter makes it seem more likely the Jaguars would look elsewhere.

Jacksonville Jaguars Executive Vice President of football operations Tony Boselli, left, and General Manager James Gladstone walks on the field before an NFL football matchup at EverBank Stadium, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

That is where the second school of thought comes in: the smaller trades for role players. These trades may not appear as sexy or impactful as the others, but they can be just as important.

And it is here where the Jaguars should ensure they remain agressive. The Jaguars do not need to trade a second or a future first to land a big name to be aggressive at the trade deadline. Instead, Gladstone and the Jaguars can still ensure they are able to push the boundaries of the trade market to boost their pass-rush, defensive front, or pass-catching group.

Jacksonville Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone, left, and Tony Boselli, Jacksonville Jaguars Executive Vice President of football operations walk on the field before an NFL football matchup at EverBank Stadium, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars defeated the Texans 17-10. | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Jaguars and Gladstone can make a big move. They have not been shy to do so at this point, and they should remember who they are when it comes to the deadline.

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