NFL trade deadline 2026 roundup: Which moves had the biggest playoff impact?

The 2026 NFL trade deadline has come and gone. Between Monday and Tuesday, we saw a ton of massive moves take place, and the action has actually been ongoing for a few weeks. 

Notable names like Jonathan Taylor and Khalil Mack stayed in place, but we’ve seen many big names get traded this year, including earlier this week. As such, here’s a breakdown of some of the biggest trades of the 2026 NFL season. 

Biggest NFL trades of 2026 and how they impact the playoff race

From quarterbacks finding new homes to contenders loading up for a playoff push, let’s look at the biggest deals that happened before the trade deadline.

Quarterback carousel

All eyes were on the quarterbacks, and over the last few weeks, we’ve seen a flurry of moves. 

The first big move happened with the Vikings officially giving up on 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy, sending him to New York for just a fifth-round pick. The move immediately helped the Giants as McCarthy has 622 yards and a touchdown in three games and has played a big role in a few New York wins. He’s banged up right now, but McCarthy appears to be the Giants’ QB1 for the rest of the year while the team is without Jaxson Dart. 

The move also hurt the Vikings, who have had awful results from Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz. In danger of wasting the NFL’s best defense, the Vikings reunited with old friend Kirk Cousins. Cousins, who starred for Minnesota from 2018-23, has had a great year in Vegas so far with 20 touchdown passes while really only having one top-flight weapon in Brock Bowers. Cousins now has Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson to throw to, and the offense should benefit from his arrival. Minnesota traded a third-rounder for Cousins. 

And last week, we saw the Cardinals trade Jacoby Brissett to the Ravens. That one is interesting for a few reasons. First, the Cardinals had Brissett starting for much of last year and the start of 2026, but he was benched for Gardner Minshew in Week 8 as the latter led a furious comeback win in Dallas. The Cardinals then traded Brissett to Baltimore, which needs QB help in a bad way after Lamar Jackson missed time with a hamstring injury before breaking his thumb upon his return and backup Tyler Huntley is banged up as well. 

Brissett joins a Ravens side that’s lost four in a row, and the hope is Brissett can get things back on track to give Baltimore a reason to have Jackson return from injury late in the season. Baltimore got Brissett and a fifth-rounder while sending fourth- and seventh-round picks to Arizona. 

Jags boost an already-elite defense

The Jaguars are all-in. Jacksonville has not been afraid to take big swings since James Gladstone took over as general manager, be it trading up for Travis Hunter or, now, trading quite a few picks – including first- and second-round picks this year – ahead of the deadline. 

Jacksonville added three big names to its defense in a flurry of moves this week. Pro Bowl safety Jessie Bates was shipped to Duval from Atlanta, the Saints sent over space-eating nose tackle Davon Godchaux and, most notably, the Eagles netted a first-round pick for defensive tackle Jordan Davis. 

What’s interesting is the Jaguars made these moves to a defense that wasn’t just already good, but it’s been great. The Jags are second in the NFL in points per game allowed at just 15.1. They rank top 10 in total defense and are fifth against the run. 

Jacksonville’s defense gets overlooked in part because of Trevor Lawrence and offensive-minded head coach Liam Coen. But the Jaguars had a top-10 scoring defense last season and were the NFL’s best against the run. 

All in all, Jacksonville gave up 2027 first- and second-round picks, 2028 fifth- and conditional sixth-round picks and a 2029 second-round pick at the deadline. It’s fun to see teams really go for it this time of year, and it’s especially cool that the Jaguars are not just doing so, but are very justified in pushing their chips in. 

Bears swing big for star DT Jeffery Simmons

Speaking of going all-in, the Bears made some history ahead of the deadline in adding defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons from the Titans. In that move, Chicago dealt two first-round picks to Tennessee – the first time that’s ever happened in a trade for a defensive tackle. 

It makes a lot of sense why the Bears would do that, though. Caleb Williams is playing at an MVP level and is still on his rookie deal, and the team’s top receiving options – Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland – are also on their respective rookie deals. 

Additionally, Simmons is a four-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro who has regularly been one of the top interior lineman that the game has to offer. Simmons has quickly made his presence felt with two sacks across two games with his new club. 

Chicago is playing as well as any team in football, and it’s easy to see the Bears contending for a Super Bowl this year and next year. First-round picks are valuable, but dominant linemen like Simmons are a rare breed. The Bears, simply put, are a team no one wants to see on the schedule right now. 

Pro Bowl interior linemen on the move

A pair of star interior linemen have new homes for the first time in their careers. First, the Eagles sent guard/center Cam Jurgens, a starter there for the team’s Super Bowl win in 2024, to the Ravens early in October. Then, the Colts traded Quenton Nelson, a perennial All-Pro and a potential Hall of Famer, to the Seahawks ahead of Week 8. 

Jurgens is in a potentially better spot overall in Baltimore considering the Eagles are in a bit of a freefall due in large part to injuries, and he’s signed for the next two full seasons. Jurgens also is set to stay at center after bouncing between center and guard in Philly. The trade netted the Eagles a 2028 second-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick.

Nelson joins the reigning champs after years of dominance in Indianapolis, though the Colts have struggled for the majority of his career. Nelson is a pending free agent, and the Seahawks have a history of retaining those they traded for midseason. Nelson missed Week 9 with a knee injury and got a minor surgery done, so it’s unclear when he’ll be able to return to action. Indianapolis got a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick in the move. 

Two juniors get fresh starts

Two sons of NFL legends are on to their second teams.

The first of these two moves was way back on Sept. 30 when the Steelers shipped standout cornerback Joey Porter Jr. to Dallas after contract talks fell through. Porter hasn’t played a ton for the Cowboys since the trade, appearing in just four games. He’s played well when on the field, though, with just a 30% completion rate and a lowly 39.6 passer rating allowed, per Pro Football Reference. Porter is a pending free agent and is still seeking a new deal. The Steelers got a 2028 second-rounder and a 2027 sixth-rounder. 

And in October, Marvin Harrison Jr. landed in Houston after flaming out in Arizona. MHJ’s career started with a lot of promise, but the 2024 No. 4 overall pick fell out of favor with the Cardinals, who sent him to the Texans. Harrison hasn’t lit the world on fire since the deal, but he’s been solid. Additionally, the trade reconnected him with his college quarterback, C.J. Stroud. Harrison is signed through at least the end of next season, giving him ample time to click in this offense. Houston got Harrison and a 2027 sixth-rounder in exchange for a 2027 second-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick.

The 49ers land big-name veterans from Colts

The 49ers have the oldest roster in football, and their trade deadline moves certainly added more age and experience to a roster that’s all-in on a Super Bowl in 2026. 

The 49ers first reunited with former San Francisco first-round pick DeForest Buckner, trading a 2027 fourth-round pick to Indianapolis for the veteran defensive tackle. The following week, the 49ers again made a deal with the Colts, this time sending a 2027 sixth-round pick to Indy for veteran receiver Keenan Allen. 

Starting with Buckner, it makes a ton of sense. He’s a proven veteran who can add depth and talent to an already strong defensive line. Defensive line depth is so critical for the later stages of the season, as well as the postseason. Most Super Bowl clubs have a deep D-line rotation at their disposal.

As for Allen, it gives Brock Purdy another proven weapon to throw to. Receiver was a clear position of need for San Francisco with injuries piling up. Ricky Pearsall hasn’t played this year and won’t return this season. Mike Evans has missed time with a nagging Achilles injury, and Deebo Samuel Sr. has been out since Week 5 with a hamstring injury. Allen isn’t the receptions machine he was in his prime as he has 40 catches for 351 yards and a score this year, but the 49ers need reliable talent to throw to, and Allen fits the bill. 

Chiefs get much-needed weapon in Josh Downs for Patrick Mahomes

The Chiefs’ offense is 10th in scoring, but it can certainly be better. The passing game has been a bit stagnant of late with Rashee Rice missing time – he’s back now – and Tyquan Thornton out with a severe ankle injury. To give Patrick Mahomes more help in the passing game, Kansas City turned to noted seller Indianapolis for receiver Josh Downs, giving up 2027 fourth- and fifth-round selections as part of the deal.

Downs has just 354 receiving yards and one touchdown this year, but he had 771 yards in 2023, 803 in 2024 and 566 last season. The Colts’ offense has been a mess, particularly in the passing game. Downs now slots in as Kansas City’s No. 2 wide receiver behind Rice and as a top option alongside Rice, Travis Kelce and standout running back Kenneth Walker III. Downs isn’t a deep burner like the Chiefs may have been aiming to land, but he’s a safe, reliable target who will immediately help Mahomes and Co.