The 2025 NFL trade deadline is set for November 4 at 4 p.m. ET, making this the prime time for rumors to pop up across the league. A handful of stars have been mentioned as potential targets for Super Bowl hopefuls and fringe playoff contenders alike, but it takes a lot to get a deal over the finish line.
Here is a quick look at five teams that could be very active in the coming days, as well as which players they are most likely to target.
Pittsburgh Steelers
By all accounts, the Steelers are making a strong push to add a wide receiver before the deadline passes. As it stands, DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin III are their only viable wideouts, and that’s being kind of generous to Austin. Aaron Rodgers and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith have been left to rely pretty heavily upon four tight ends: Jonnu Smith, Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington and Connor Heyward. It makes sense that they would want to break out of that somewhat restrictive scheme and bring some more athleticism into the mix. Whether the Steelers go out and snag a gadget guy or a high-level No. 2 receiver, any fresh face would be a welcome one.
There have been fewer rumors tying Pittsburgh to defensive players, even though their defense has been the bigger issue through eight weeks. Trading for Kyle Dugger was a good start, but there is still room for improvement.
Potential Fits: WR Rashid Shaheed (NO), LB Pete Werner (NO)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Like the Steelers, the Buccaneers are apparently very active in the wide receiver market. That checks out, given Mike Evans and Chris Godwin’s injuries. Rookies Emeka Egbuka and Tez Johnson have shown promise so far, but bringing in a veteran to connect with Baker Mayfield could go a long way.
Evans and Godwin’s absences have also exposed an issue at tight end, since Cade Otton has remained pedestrian as a pass-catcher. Otton has run more routes than any other tight end in football this season, so it is clearly a position of value in Josh Grizzard’s offense. And yet, Otton has just 26 catches, 271 yards and zero touchdowns to show for it.
Potential Fits: WR Jakobi Meyers (LV), TE David Njoku (CLE)
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs got off on the wrong foot this year, putting them at a disadvantage in the AFC West. But now there’s blood in the water, and a splashy move could vault the Chiefs right past the Broncos and Chargers. Isiah Pacheco was hardly cutting it at running back, even before his injury. Now, the front office could take a big swing and add a real star at the position, for the right price.
On the other side of the ball, the Chiefs may need some help up front. For as good as Chris Jones and George Karlaftis have been, there is certainly room for another pass rusher on the depth chart.
Potential Fits: RB Breece Hall (NYJ), OLB Jaelan Phillips (MIA)
New England Patriots
Rhamondre Stevenson is out with a toe injury, to say nothing of his nagging ball security issues. Add that to Antonio Gibson’s torn ACL and Mike Vrabel’s apparent lack of trust in rookie TreVeyon Henderson, and the path to New England adding a running back is wide open.
While the Patriots boast the No. 4 scoring defense in the NFL, that was before they traded away Kyle Dugger and Keion White. Admittedly, neither had been playing very much, but those are still two notable bodies to replace. New England would be best served adding another starter on that side of the ball, with cornerback being really the only position that seems shored up.
Potential Fits: RB Chuba Hubbard (CAR), S Jalen Thompson (ARI)
Indianapolis Colts
With Jaylon Jones and Kenny Moore II banged up and Charvarius Ward and Justin Walley on injured reserve, the Colts are dealing with a serious depth issue at cornerback. The Jets already traded Michael Carter II to the Eagles, while the Titans dealt Roger McCreary to the Rams. The Seahawks, on the other hand, are trending towards holding onto Riq Woolen. Still, Indianapolis is likely to make a play for whoever’s left at the position before the deadline comes and goes.
The Colts could look for more help elsewhere on defense. They rank No. 6 in points allowed per game, but No. 24 in yards allowed per game. Perhaps a linebacker or another edge rusher could do the trick, to supplement whatever additions Indianapolis makes to their secondary.
Potential Fits: CB Alontae Taylor (NO), LB Logan Wilson (CIN)
Click here for a breakdown of the biggest stars who could be on the move prior to the 2025 NFL Trade Deadline.
