NFL Trade Deadline 2026: Biggest Deals Explained Simply

8 min read

Last updated November 10, 2026

The 2026 NFL trade deadline closed at 4 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesday, November 10. The biggest deadline day move sent Kirk Cousins back to the Minnesota Vikings.

Kansas City added receiver Josh Downs, and San Francisco landed veteran Keenan Allen. A day earlier, Jacksonville made three defensive trades in a single afternoon.

This guide explains every major deal in plain words. You will see who moved, what each team gave up, and why it matters for the rest of the season.

Key Takeaways

The Vikings traded a 2027 third-round pick to bring back Kirk Cousins.
The Chiefs gave two mid-round picks for receiver Josh Downs.
The 49ers added Keenan Allen for a 2027 sixth-round pick.
The Jaguars traded for Jordan Davis, Jessie Bates III and Davon Godchaux.
The Colts sold off several veterans across the trade window.

Jump to a section

What the deadline means
Deadline day deals
Kirk Cousins returns
Chiefs add Josh Downs
49ers add Keenan Allen
Jaguars go big on defense
Earlier blockbusters
The Colts sell
Winners and questions
Frequently asked questions

What the Trade Deadline Means

The trade deadline is the last moment teams can swap players during the season. After it passes, rosters change only through free agents, waivers and practice squads.

Teams near the top try to fill one last hole. Teams with losing records often trade veterans for draft picks that help them rebuild.

Surprise deals in the final hours can reshape a playoff race.

The NFL.com tracker listed every move from the start of the season through the Nov. 10 deadline at 4 p.m. Eastern.

4 p.m. EasternOfficial close of the 2026 trade window on November 10, per the NFL.com trade tracker.

Every Deadline Day Deal at a Glance

These are the trades completed on Tuesday, November 10. The list follows the deadline tracker from theScore, with team sites and ESPN used to confirm the biggest ones.

Team that added	Player	Price paid
Minnesota Vikings	Quarterback Kirk Cousins	2027 third-round pick to the Raiders
Kansas City Chiefs	Receiver Josh Downs plus a 2027 seventh	2027 fourth and fifth to the Colts
San Francisco 49ers	Receiver Keenan Allen	2027 sixth-round pick to the Colts
Buffalo Bills	Safety Amani Hooker	2027 second-round pick to the Titans
Denver Broncos	Linebacker Daiyan Henley	2027 fourth and 2028 fifth to the Chargers
Baltimore Ravens	Center Ryan Neuzil	Guard Andrew Vorhees and a 2028 sixth to the Falcons

One reported deal fell apart. A trade sending Eagles pass rusher Arnold Ebiketie to Cincinnati was called off, according to theScore.

Good to know. Trades are official only after physicals. The Vikings said the Cousins deal was still pending a physical when it was announced.

Kirk Cousins Returns to Minnesota

The Vikings brought back Kirk Cousins in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders. Minnesota sent a 2027 third-round pick, according to the official Vikings announcement.

Cousins spent six seasons in Minnesota, from 2018 through 2023. He started every game he played under head coach Kevin O’Connell.

His 2023 season ended with a torn Achilles in Week 8 at Green Bay. He then signed with Atlanta in 2024 and joined Las Vegas in April 2026.

He has started all nine Raiders games this season. The team site lists 2,340 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions, with a 97.1 passer rating.

Cousins this season	Number
Games started	9
Completion rate	64.1 percent
Passing yards	2,340
Touchdowns	20
Interceptions	8

The Vikings offense has struggled to find a rhythm. Kyler Murray started six games, and Carson Wentz also played.

Cousins already knows the system and his top targets. He has history with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson.

Quick tip. Watch the first two games after a quarterback trade. Timing with receivers usually tells you more than the box score.

Chiefs Add Receiver Josh Downs

Kansas City traded for Indianapolis receiver Josh Downs shortly before the deadline. The Chiefs also received a 2027 seventh-round pick.

Indianapolis got a 2027 fourth-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick, according to NFL.com.

Downs had asked for a trade in late October. This season he has 33 catches for 354 yards and one touchdown.

His contract ends after this season, which made him an easier piece to move. He averaged 66 catches over his first three seasons, per ESPN.

The Chiefs needed help on deep throws. ESPN noted that Patrick Mahomes had not completed a pass longer than 20 air yards since Week 4.

Injuries also hit the receiver room. Tyquan Thornton had ankle surgery, and Xavier Worthy left a recent game with a hamstring injury.

49ers Add Veteran Keenan Allen

San Francisco added six-time Pro Bowl receiver Keenan Allen from Indianapolis. The Colts received a 2027 sixth-round pick, ESPN reported.

Allen is 34 and led the Colts with 40 catches this season. His 1,095 career receptions rank eighth in league history.

Injuries forced the move. Ricky Pearsall went on injured reserve in training camp, and several other receivers have missed games.

Allen also played college football at Cal, close to the team’s home in the Bay Area.

Which deadline move will matter most this season?

Kirk Cousins to the Vikings
Josh Downs to the Chiefs
Keenan Allen to the 49ers
Not sure

Jaguars Go Big on Defense

Jacksonville made the loudest moves on Monday, November 9. The Jaguars added three defenders in a single day.

Player added	From	Price paid
Defensive tackle Jordan Davis	Eagles	2027 first-round pick and 2029 second
Safety Jessie Bates III	Falcons	2027 second and 2028 fifth
Defensive tackle Davon Godchaux	Saints	Conditional 2028 sixth-round pick

The NFL.com tracker lists the full price of each Jaguars deal. Giving up a first-round pick shows how much the team believes in this season.

Detroit also added safety Andre Cisco from the Jets on the same day. The Lions sent a 2028 sixth-round pick.

Earlier Blockbusters Before Deadline Week

Several big trades happened weeks before the deadline. These moves shaped the final market.

Chicago got defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons from Tennessee for two first-round picks and more.
Houston landed receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. from Arizona for a 2027 second-round pick.
Baltimore added center Cam Jurgens from Philadelphia in early October.
Dallas acquired cornerback Joey Porter Jr. from Pittsburgh.
The Giants traded for quarterback J.J. McCarthy from Minnesota.
Baltimore also brought in quarterback Jacoby Brissett from Arizona.

The Simmons deal was the largest. Tennessee received first-round picks in 2027 and 2028, plus a 2027 fourth-rounder.

Indianapolis also moved two veteran linemen in October. Quenton Nelson went to Seattle, and DeForest Buckner joined San Francisco.

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The Colts Sell Off Veterans

No team traded away more familiar names than Indianapolis. The Colts moved Nelson, Buckner, Downs and Allen within about two weeks.

Colts player	New team	Picks returned
Quenton Nelson	Seahawks	2027 third and 2028 fifth
DeForest Buckner	49ers	2027 fourth
Josh Downs	Chiefs	2027 fourth and fifth
Keenan Allen	49ers	2027 sixth

Selling this many starters usually signals a reset. Indianapolis now holds extra picks for the 2027 and 2028 drafts.

Winners and Open Questions

Grades come later, once games are played. Still, a few early storylines stand out.

The Vikings bet on familiarity to rescue a struggling offense.
The Chiefs found a target who can win short and medium routes.
The 49ers added a reliable veteran without giving up much.
The Jaguars paid a high price to build a tougher defense.
The Colts traded today for more picks tomorrow.

The real test starts this weekend. New players often need two or three games to settle in.

Many fans will get their first long look on Thanksgiving. Our NFL Thanksgiving 2026 schedule lists every game and kickoff time.

Add to calendar

How Draft Picks Work in Trades

Most deadline deals use future draft picks instead of players. Picks give selling teams cheap young talent later.

A first-round pick is the most valuable asset in most trades. Teams rarely give one up unless they expect a deep playoff run.

Late-round picks are cheaper but still useful. They often help balance a deal when two teams value a player differently.

Pick type	What it usually buys
First round	A star or a key starter
Second or third round	A solid starter or proven veteran
Fourth or fifth round	A role player or short-term rental
Sixth or seventh round	A depth player or a small swap

Some picks are conditional. The Godchaux trade, for example, uses a 2028 sixth that can turn into a 2027 sixth.

Teams also trade picks two or three years ahead. That lets them buy help now without losing next spring’s draft class.

Why it matters. A team that trades many future picks has fewer cheap rookies later. That can make its salary cap tighter in coming seasons.

How to Follow New Players on Your Team

Check your team site for the official roster update.
Look at the depth chart before the next game.
Read the injury report on Wednesday through Friday.
Watch how often the new player is on the field.
Compare snaps after two games, not one.

Planning a game day with friends? See our tips on how to host a football watch party. College fans can follow the latest AP Top 25 rankings too.

Your Trade Deadline Checklist

Know which players your team added
Check what picks your team gave up
Look at the new depth chart
Follow the injury report this week
Watch the first two games closely

Try this today. Pick one traded player and write down three things to watch in his first game. Check back after two weeks.

Test Yourself

What did the Vikings give up for Kirk Cousins?

A 2027 first-round pick
A starting receiver
A 2027 third-round pick

The official Vikings announcement says Minnesota sent a 2027 third-round pick to Las Vegas.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the 2026 NFL trade deadline?

It closed at 4 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.

Can teams still sign players after the deadline?

Yes. Teams can still sign free agents and claim players on waivers.

What was the biggest deadline day trade?

The Vikings reacquiring Kirk Cousins from the Raiders drew the most attention.

Which team made the most trades?

Jacksonville added three defenders on November 9. Indianapolis traded away four veterans.

Conclusion

The 2026 trade deadline brought Kirk Cousins home and gave Kansas City and San Francisco help at receiver. Jacksonville spent heavily on defense, while Indianapolis chose the future.

Your next step is simple. Check your team depth chart this week and watch how the new faces fit.

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