Once an overlooked part of the schedule, the league’s trade deadline has become one of the biggest and craziest moments of the NFL season. This year’s trade deadline did not disappoint, as a record 12 players were traded on deadline daythe most in the last 30 years.
Which team improved their chances of winning Super Bowl LVII? Conversely, which teams may have dropped out of title contention? We have those answers below along with our winners and losers as of the deadline.
Miami sent Denver a 2023 first-round pick, their 2024 fourth-round pick and running back Chase Edmonds. The Broncos added a 2025 fifth-round pick as part of the deal that sent Chubb to South Beach. With the acquisition of Chubb, the Dolphins have a player who already has 5.5 sacks and two forced fumbles this season. Adding Chubb to an already talented defense — against an offense that has made great strides — should be enough to end Miami’s six-year playoff drought.
With Edmonds gone, the Dolphins acquired 49ers running back Jeff Wilson in exchange for a 2023 fifth-round pick just before the deadline. The move reunites Wilson with fellow former 49ers running back Raheem Mostert, who is set to have his best season yet, as well as head coach Mike McDaniel, who was Wilson and Mostert’s offensive coordinator. in San Francisco. The Dolphins have been aggressive and that has a good chance of paying off.
Loser: Green Bay Packers
The Packers clearly lacked an impact wide receiver, and with the trade deadline, that hasn’t changed. As CBS Sports’ NFL Insider Josina Anderson reported, the Packers would potentially offer the best deal for Chase Claypool, giving Aaron Rodgers much-needed help at receiver. Instead, the Bears rushed in and got Claypool, as the Packers failed to get him or any other receivers on the trading block. Rodgers will have to continue to make do with a receiving body that has struggled to fill Davante Adams’ shoes.
The Vikings were able to acquire a talented tight end – TJ Hockenson – from a division rival. A former No. 8 overall pick, no less. And they did it without breaking the bank, sending future second- and third-round picks to Detroit while receiving a future fourth-round pick (including a conditional 2024 pick) as part of the deal.
By acquiring Hockenson, the Vikings solidified their status as one of the NFC’s top echelon teams and a legitimate contender to represent the conference in the Super Bowl. Hockenson brings another element to a Vikings offense that also includes Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, Dalvin Cook and Kirk Cousins.
The Giants made several calls but ultimately met the deadline. New York’s lack of moves was surely a disappointment for Giants fans given the team’s surprising 6-2 start. Giants fans may not stay blue for long, however, as general manager Joe Schoen said after the deadline that he would consider bringing back Odell Beckham Jr. after New York couldn’t trade for a receiver. at the deadline.
Just look at the 49ers’ blowout win over the Rams last Sunday if you want to gauge the team’s trade acquisition of Christian McCaffrey. The former Panthers All-Pro running back became the fourth player since the 1970 merger to throw, catch and run for touchdowns in the same game.
The addition of McCaffrey — which actually happened over a week ago but technically arrived at the deadline — puts the 49ers in position to ultimately win the NFC West over rivals Los Angeles, Arizona and Seattle. The fact that the 49ers didn’t need to give up a first-round pick for McCaffrey is another feather in general manager John Lynch’s cap.
Despite Jerry Jones’ posturing, the Cowboys didn’t make a blowout trade before the deadline. Receiver was the position the Cowboys likely would have strengthened, but the Cowboys did not trade and will continue forward with CeeDee Lamb and Noah Brown headlining the receiving corps. There was a report that the team was about to add Brandin Cooksbut money was the problem.
The fact that the Cowboys didn’t make a trade at the deadline would suggest that Jones & Co. believe Michael Gallup will have a better second half of the season as he continues to return from ACL surgery.
Credit the Bears with getting value for two players — Roquan Smith and Robert Quinn — who everyone knew were no longer part of the Bears’ future. But for that to be so isn’t good for the Bears, who parted ways with one of the NFL’s best inside linebackers and a passing thrower coming off an 18-year season. .5 bags in a few days.
The Bears used the second-round pick they received in the Smith trade to acquire Chase Claypool, a talented but underperforming player during his two-plus years with the Steelers. The fact that the Bears would have prevented the rival Packers from acquiring Claypool makes Chicago a deadline winner.
Loser: Los Angeles Rams
The Rams were edged out by the 49ers in the race to land Christian McCaffrey. Los Angeles ultimately got nothing by the deadline, which means the Rams will have to rely on their current roster to get out of the hole they’re in. Los Angeles, 3-4 after last Sunday’s loss, is in need of several positional upgrades, including on the offensive line, receiver and running back.
Speaking of running back, the Rams couldn’t deal with Cam Akers before the deadline — a missed opportunity, as it appears Akers’ working relationship with the team appears to be over.
Baltimore is using its moment to retreat to the AFC North while gaining ground on conference powerhouses Buffalo and Kansas City. The Ravens acquired a prolific tackle in Roquan Smith while forcing the Bears to continue paying most of his $5.408 million salary (Baltimore is on the hook for just $575,000 of Smith’s 2022 salary).
The Ravens have a 25-year-old linebacker who is right in the middle of his prime. Smith already has 83 tackles, 2.5 sacks and two interceptions this season.
Chidobe Awuzie’s injury suffered Monday night should have forced the Bengals to try to trade for a cornerback at the deadline. Not only did Cincinnati fail to meet their new need, but they also failed to meet two other needs that were exploited in Monday night’s resounding loss to Cleveland.
With Ja’Marr Chase out for at least the next few games, the Bengals should have tried to acquire another offensive playmaker, either a veteran receiver or a versatile running back. Cincinnati could also have used an upgrade on the offensive line after Joe Burrow was sacked five times by the Browns defense.
The Eagles’ recent acquisition of Robert Quinn has reinforced that Philadelphia is going all-in after their 7-0 start. Although he wasn’t fired in his Eagles debut, Quinn was part of a defense that tormented Steelers rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett while holding Pittsburgh to just 13 points. In addition to his tangible skills, Quinn adds leadership to a young and talented Eagles defense.
Denver was unable to swing trades for Jerry Jeudy or KJ Hamler despite reported interest in both players. The Broncos also missed an opportunity to add depth at quarterback behind Russell Wilson. Pittsburgh quarterbacks Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph would have made sense for the Broncos.
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