Which NFL stars could still be on the move before the 2026 season?
The trade deadline this season is November 10, which gives teams until Week 9 to make changes
With the final NFL preseason games happening this Saturday, teams are ready to begin the season with the illusion of reaching Super Bowl 61 at SoFi Stadium on February 14, 2027 .
After training camps and the preseason, clubs must now know who their 11 starters are on offense and defense, except for the Atlanta Falcons , who are still sorting out their competition between quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr.
But as we know, seasons rarely unfold exactly as anticipated, which is why midseason trades frequently occur to bolster a roster exceeding expectations or to hoard draft picks if a campaign goes sideways and teams pivot toward the future.
A clear example from recent years involves the New York Jets , who pulled the plug on a struggling campaign by trading two top defensive stars in Quinnen Williams (to the Cowboys) and Sauce Gardner (to the Colts), players who now anchor their new squads.
Notable Names Surface in Trade Rumors Before Deadline
The conclusion of the preseason means the annual NFL roster cutdown day is fast approaching. By 6:00 p.m. ET this Sunday night, all 32 franchises must slash their rosters from 90 down to 53 players for the 2026 season, leaving over 1,000 players to be released , waived, or shelved with injury designations.
Some, however, will find new life via trade, much like this week's swap between the Patriots and Texans sending wideout Kayshon Boutte to Houston after losing Jayden Higgins for the year to a torn ACL.
Three prominent names stand out as prime candidates to be moved before the upcoming deadline:
Anthony Richardson ( Indianapolis Colts , QB ): Drafted No. 4 overall in 2023 , Richardson has struggled to find consistent footing, starting just 15 games across three seasons while battling various injuries, including the bizarre orbital fracture that wiped out his 2025 campaign, and benchings due to poor execution. He holds an 8–7 record as a starter, accumulating 21 total touchdowns against 17 turnovers . Though the Colts granted him permission to seek a trade earlier in the offseason, he remains in Indianapolis as Sunday's deadline looms.
J.J. McCarthy ( Minnesota Vikings, QB ): With veteran Kyler Murray securing Minnesota's starting job, the 2024 first-round pick is ostensibly slated as the backup, though recent practice reports complicate that narrative. McCarthy split reps with veteran Carson Wentz as the primary backup earlier in the week before sitting out with an ankle injury sustained against the Ravens. This fluid situation could either solidify the 23-year-old's spot or prompt inquiring phone calls from external front offices.
Kayvon Thibodeaux ( New York Giants, Edge ): Head coach John Harbaugh addressed trade chatter surrounding Thibodeaux this spring, noting that while everyone is technically movable, the 25-year-old edge rusher is a talented player in peak physical condition. Caught in a crowded pass-rushing room alongside Brian Burns and Abdul Carter , Thibodeaux, the No. 5 pick in the 2022 draft , is entering the final year of his rookie deal with a $14.7 million fifth-year option attached. Having racked up 23.5 sacks and six forced fumbles in his career, he represents an enticing piece for any contender looking to shore up its pass rush before September kicks off.
