The 2026 NFL trade deadline is two weeks away, but teams are getting a head start on moves before the Nov. 10 deadline hits.
In recent years, the trade deadline has become more active. That’s already true this season: The Giants acquired J.J. McCarthy, and the Steelers dealt Joey Porter Jr. to the Cowboys before the calendar flipped to October. Now, the Seahawks are acquiring one of the league’s top guards in Quenton Nelson.
As the deadline approaches, here’s a tracker of the biggest trades.
Titans trade DT Jeffery Simmons to Bears
Bears get: Jeffery Simmons, 2028 fifth-round pick
Titans get: 2027 first-round pick, '28 first-round pick, '27 fourth-round pick
Analysis: Jeffery Simmons trade grades
The Bears are making moves to shore up their defensive line. As first reported by NFL insider Tom Pelissero, the Titans are sending star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (and a 2028 fifth-round pick) to Chicago in exchange for ’27 and ’28 first-round picks and a ’27 fourth-rounder.
Colts trade DeForest Buckner to 49ers
Colts get: 2027 fourth-round pick
49ers get: DeForest Buckner
Analysis: DeForest Buckner trade grades
Hours after trading Quenton Nelson to the Seahawks, the Colts are now sending defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the 49ers in exchange for a fourth-round pick. The Colts originally acquired Buckner from the 49ers for a first-round pick in 2020, and are now dealing him back to San Francisco following their 2–5 start.
For the 49ers, the move reunites them with Buckner, a three-time Pro Bowler they selected in the first round in 2016. Buckner, who has tallied 17 pressures and four sacks this season, will be an upgrade to their defensive line and pass rush as they look to make a Super Bowl run.
Colts trade Quenton Nelson to Seahawks
Colts get: 2027 third-round pick, 2028 fifth-round pick
Seahawks get: G Quenton Nelson
Analysis: Quenton Nelson trade grades
The Colts’ fire sale has begun. A week after firing general manager Chris Ballard, the Colts have traded guard Quenton Nelson to the Seahawks for third- and fifth-round picks. Nelson has been a pillar of the Colts’ franchise since they selected him with the No. 6 pick in 2018, earning first-team All-Pro three times and making the Pro Bowl in every season of his career.
Indianapolis decided to part ways with Nelson before he becomes a free agent this offseason, and has sent him to a Seahawks squad that is looking to repeat as Super Bowl champions. The Colts are also looking to accumulate more draft capital since they do not have a first-round pick next spring. On the Seahawks’ end, the addition of Nelson will help both shore up their rushing attack and pass protection as they look to improve in both areas heading into the second half of the season.
Cardinals deal Marvin Harrison Jr. to Texans
Cardinals get: 2027 second-round pick, 2027 sixth-round pick
Texans get: WR Marvin Harrison Jr., 2027 seventh-round pick
Analysis: Marvin Harrison Jr. trade grades
After it was reported on Saturday that the Cardinals would make receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. inactive for Sunday’s Week 5 game against the Lions and trade him, they made the move with the Texans official on Sunday. The move comes after the Texans picked up their first win of the season, giving them extra receiver help as they look to rebound from an 0–4 start. The Cardinals moved Harrison after they were unable to make him a consistent part of their offense. He has only five receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown on the season. Harrison will reunite with former Ohio State teammate C.J. Stroud in Houston.
Ravens acquire IOL Cam Jurgens from Eagles
Ravens get: Cam Jurgens, 2027 seventh-round pick
Eagles get: 2027 fifth-round pick, 2028 second-round pick
Analysis: The Eagles’ Cam Jurgens Trade Could Be a Soft Tank or Just Typical Howie Roseman 3-D Chess
The Eagles traded Cam Jurgens to the Ravens, who needed a center amid several injuries at the position and after losing Tyler Linderbaum in free agency. Jurgens struggled after the Eagles moved him to guard because of an injury to Landon Dickerson, and the Ravens offered a price that Philadelphia simply couldn’t turn down. The Eagles also felt comfortable making the move because they believed in some of their younger offensive linemen, including Willie Lampkin, who took over for Jurgens at guard.
Steelers deal CB Joey Porter Jr. to Cowboys after failed contract negotiations
Steelers get: 2027 sixth-round pick, 2028 second-round pick
Cowboys get: Joey Porter Jr.
Analysis: Joey Porter Jr. trade grades
As the Steelers struggled to agree to a contract extension with cornerback Joey Porter Jr., they opted to trade him on Sept. 30 to the Cowboys. Per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, Porter wanted to clear $30 million per year in salary, while the Steelers were not willing to go past the high $20s in new money. Porter missed the first three games of the season with a back ailment and when he pulled himself out of practice after telling coaches his back was acting up, the Steelers shopped him again. The Cowboys desperately needed help at corner, ranking last in the league in EPA per pass allowed (0.36), so they opted to deal for Porter.
Vikings trade QB J.J. McCarthy to Giants
Vikings get: 2027 fifth-round pick
Giants get: J.J. McCarthy
Analysis: The Giants’ Trade for J.J. McCarthy Is a Galaxy Brain Move That Goes Too Far
After falling to third on the quarterback depth chart, J.J. McCarthy was traded to the Giants for a fifth-round pick on Sept. 28. McCarthy competed for the starting job during the offseason with Kyler Murray, but lost the job and also lost the backup position to Carson Wentz. The Giants needed another backup quarterback after Jaxson Dart sustained a season-ending injury in Week 2, so the Vikings officially chose to move on from the No. 10 pick in the 2024 draft, ending McCarthy’s brief but tumultuous era in Minnesota.