The NFL schedule makers scored a win with their pre-trade deadline “Monday Night Football” matchup.
Pitting two of the league’s top teams against each other meant two teams likely to be active at the deadline would meet on national television to expose each other’s vulnerabilities.
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The Buffalo Bills’ 23-6 takedown of the Minnesota Vikings did just that. And while Carson Wentz was starting in relief of an injured Kyler Murray (hamstring), the latest iteration of a toothless Minnesota offense alongside a menacing but asked-to-be-on-the-field-40-minutes Vikings defense signaled that change was necessary.
With less than 90 minutes remaining before the trade deadline, the Vikings dealt their 2027 third-round pick to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for reuniting with quarterback Kirk Cousins, a person with knowledge of the deal confirmed to Yahoo Sports.
What does this mean for the state of the NFC North and the NFC’s Super Bowl race generally? And what has the trade landscape leading up to the deadline done to change teams’ fortunes?
Here are Yahoo Sports’ winners and losers of the NFL trade deadline:
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Winners
The Vikings’ defense: Many in Minnesota win with Cousins’ arrival. Receiver Justin Jefferson no doubt is breathing a little more easily after the news. But the Vikings’ defense coordinated by Brian Flores has to be the biggest winner. Flores’ unit has allowed the fewest points and second-fewest yards across the entire NFL this season. Minnesota’s offense has rewarded the blitz-happy dominance with … the 27th-ranked scoring offense and 31st-ranked (that’s second-worst, for those counting at home) total offense. Cousins arrives with 2,340 passing yards (fifth) and a 97.1 passer rating (11th) this season. He led the Raiders to an offense averaging 8.1 more points and 64.2 more yards per game this season. Cousins knows O’Connell’s offense from their 2022 and 2023 partnership in Minnesota, giving him a “low start-up cost,” in the words of one high-ranking AFC executive. At 6-2, the Vikings’ chances of winning a crowded NFC North live.
The Rams’ ‘F them picks’ strategy staying relevant: The Los Angeles Rams famously sacrificed the future for their present en route to the 2021 NFL season’s Super Bowl. They earned an “F them picks” reputation for bucking traditional wisdom, and they continued to prioritize proven stars over picks this summer when they sent the Browns Jared Verse alongside a 2027 first-, 2028 second- and 2029 third-round pick to acquire reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett in June. The relevance now? Jacksonville Jaguars general manager James Gladstone came up in this league with the Rams and Los Angeles GM Les Snead. He has leaned into the ethos dating back to his first draft as GM, when he traded up for Travis Hunter, and he leaned into it again on Monday when he collected three new defensive players in one day — including two at steep prices.
The Jaguars aren’t afraid to hamper their future to chase their window this year. So they sent the Eagles a 2027 first- and 2029 second-round pick for defensive tackle Jordan Davis; the Falcons a 2027 second- and 2028 fifth-round pick for safety Jessie Bates III; and the Saints a sixth-round pick (either 2027 or 2028, based on conditions) for defensive tackle Davon Godchaux. In Southern California, Snead was smiling.
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Defensive tackles in vogue: Jeffery Simmons is not your average defensive tackle. But when the Chicago Bears became the first team in the modern draft era (since 1967) to pay two first-round picks for an interior defensive lineman,per ESPN research, the position received a well-deserved facelift. The Jaguars have since acquired two defensive tackles of their own, including a first-round pick in the deal for Davis. All of this comes in the shadows of the Cowboys paying big for Quinnen Williams at last year’s deadline and the Cincinnati Bengals dealing the 10th overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft for Dexter Lawrence II. Just as Christian McCaffrey and Saquon Barkley once reasserted running backs’ place relative to receivers in a pass-happy NFL era, consider this the defensive tackle reassertion relative to edge rushers. Offenses can’t stand when interior linemen blow up the pocket, the protection challenges far dicier than blocking for a talented edge rusher. Defensive tackles are also hard to find — and often better once seasoned by a few years in the NFL.
“Everybody wants a quarterback and if you don’t have a quarterback, what’s the best way you can impact a quarterback? By that middle pressure and interior line movement …” an AFC executive said Monday by phone. “When you get a good one — man, just like when you get a good quarterback, you try to keep them as long as you can or they don’t come to the market.”
The Chiefs’ passing game: For three straight games now, no Chiefs receiver has hit 55 receiving yards. Injuries play a role, but the ceiling of Patrick Mahomes and Co.’s offense nonetheless needed more than 37-year-old Travis Kelce and superhuman running back Kenneth Walker III manufacturing a passing game. Acquiring Colts receiver Josh Downs at the deadline, the Chiefs give themselves more depth even if not a drastically higher ceiling. Trading 2027 fourth- and fifth-round picks for Downs and a 2027 seventh-round pick wasn’t cheap relative to Downs’ recent play. But consider that the Pittsburgh Steelers and San Francisco 49ers (and arguably the Los Angeles Rams) also needed a receiver, and the Chiefs paying a fourth and change to close the deal makes sense. Can Kansas City now catch the Denver Broncos in the AFC West?
The Titans’ negotiating chops: Tennessee already impressed with its ability to net two first-round picks for Simmons. Then, on Tuesday afternoon before the deadline, the Titans traded safety Amani Hooker and a fifth-round pick to the Buffalo Bills for a second-round pick, per multiple reports. The Jessie Bates III deal likely outlined the parameters for the deal, and Hooker’s league-best five interceptions for 114 yards this year helped. But the price was still rich for a player who hasn’t been at the top of his position most of his career. Tennessee leveraged well the Bills’ desire to keep pace in the AFC arms race.
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Veteran Colts players wanting to win: A year ago, after nine games, the Colts were 7-2. This year: 2-7. They’ve already fired general manager Chris Ballard and are going nowhere this season. So godspeed to the two veterans on expiring contracts that were dealt with contenders. Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner reunited with the San Francisco 49ers club that drafted him in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick. Three-time All-Pro left guard Quenton Nelson joined the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks for a 2027 third- and 2028 fifth-round pick. The 49ers are a near lock to make the playoffs, at a 96% chance, per Next Gen Stats. The Seahawks face a more uphill battle in a tight division and conference, but Nelson’s chance at competing is far greater than with Indianapolis. Each player earned more meaningful football with the trade; and the Colts, who were unlikely to re-sign either player when their contract expired in the spring, recouped draft capital and salary cap space.
The Eagles’ quiet rebuild: Philadelphia had little choice but to trade receiver A.J. Brown in the offseason after he publicly made clear he wanted out and wasn’t going to fall in line with quarterback Jalen Hurts. That haul — a 2028 first-round pick and 2027 fifth — began the Eagles’ reset of cap space and draft capital as they pivot off an aging Super Bowl roster. The Eagles could have been more competitive this year if a rash of injuries, most notably blood clots in Hurts’ lungs, didn’t strike. But the injury-squandered year timed well with a retooling of resources for a roster that had been bursting at the seams. The Eagles have also since collected a 2028 second-round pick (with a fifth/seventh swap) for center Cam Jurgens as well as a 2027 first- and 2029 second-round pick for defensive tackle Jordan Davis. Adding two firsts and two seconds since June gives Philadelphia flexibility to build.
Losers
AFC South quarterbacks not named Trevor Lawrence: Monday was a rough day for C.J. Stroud, Daniel Jones and Cam Ward. The 6-2 Jaguars already hold double the number of wins as their nearest division foe (the Houston Texans are 3-5), and then they stockpiled Davis, Godchaux and Bates. Expect offenses to face more pressure at the line of scrimmage and more risk of turnovers against the Jaguars now: In his nine games with the Atlanta Falcons this season, Bates secured one interception, deflected four passes, forced three fumbles and returned one fumble for a touchdown. The Jaguars’ 2027 second- and 2028 fifth-round picks were rich for a ninth-year player with half a year left on his contract. But Bates’ play, and his veteran leadership in the secondary, will elevate the Jaguars’ defensive ceiling into at least January.
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Kevin O’Connell’s QB whisperer reputation: Winning 64.5% of games in five years, and engineering multiple top-10 offenses, the Minnesota Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell has proven he’s a valuable head coach and play-caller. But two years ago, after Sam Darnold’s resurgence in Minnesota, O’Connell was riding a reputation as a quarterback whisperer who would elevate and maximize any quarterback in his system. That luster has dimmed as the Vikings come off their third game this season without a touchdown. Minnesota thought it would spark Kyler Murray after acquiring the former No. 1 overall draft pick this spring, and he’s instead currently 20th in passer rating as well as in and out of the lineup because of injury. Former second overall pick Carson Wentz played well last season in relief for Minnesota, but he has fallen off a cliff this year — most recently completing 32% of his pass attempts for 81 yards, two interceptions and a lost fumble in a 23-6 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Monday. And while it’s disingenuous to say J.J. McCarthy would have solved the Vikings’ QB woes in-house — some players simply need a change of scenery to find their footing, as McCarthy has with the Giants — Minnesota trading away a former first-round pick on his rookie deal for a fifth-round pick doesn’t help perception as the club struggles to find an answer at the position. Perhaps a deep playoff run with Cousins will boost O’Connell’s reputation in other areas.
The Colts’ belief in Jonathan Taylor’s market: Trading Buckner and Nelson never guaranteed the Colts would trade Jonathan Taylor. The prior two were veterans on expiring contracts; Taylor signed an extension in August and offers possible value for the 2027 Colts and beyond no matter who’s coaching. So this loser column placement isn’t to suggest the Colts should have dealt Taylor. But the Colts seemingly broadcasting their desired market for him appears to have backfired. League sources were well aware that Indianapolis wanted a Christian McCaffrey-like haul for Taylor: the equivalent of a 2027 second-, third- and fourth-round pick as well as a 2028 fifth-round pick. That was richer than any team could justify, so Taylor stays home. Was there a quieter way to go about this exploration, that put Taylor in less of an awkward position? “You play every game like it’s your last …” Taylor said from his locker Sunday. “This place helped shape me into the man I am today, so I’m very grateful. So if it is, I’m very grateful for the city of Indianapolis.” Narrator: It was not.
Brian Thomas Jr. fantasy managers: The Jaguars kept Thomas even as he averages 2.75 targets per game while seeing the field on just 43% of offensive snaps. The move means Thomas doesn’t get the fresh start many believe would benefit him and likely doesn’t get the on-field opportunities a team like the Kansas City Chiefs might have given him. A loss for Thomas and his fantasy managers, but a logical move according to league sources. Why? 1) Thomas’ field-stretching ability opens up opportunities for his teammates in ways that could be hard to replicate without a player of his height, weight and especially speed. 2) If the Jaguars suffer an injury at the position, was a future draft pick worth a sudden weakness on the road to what the Jaguars believe can be the Super Bowl? And 3) The teams whose need was most likely to translate to strong pay for Thomas were the Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers. Would Jacksonville regret that during the AFC playoff bracket?
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Jerry Jones’ penchant for optimism: When the Cowboys were 2-4, team owner and general manager Jerry Jones was still optimistic enough to trumpet that “I would be active if we could get a chance to help the team this year.” He still believed then in his offense’s strength and his defense’s capacity to improve. By this week, that optimism had faltered — not only because the Cowboys still sit beneath .500 at 4-5 but also because their last two performances against the Cardinals (an overtime loss) and the Colts (a narrow win) showed the Cowboys are playing more like the worst teams in the league than the best. “Overall,” Jones told Dallas radio station 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday morning, “we’re not playing very good.” Could Dallas still make a run in a poor division? It’s possible, with Next Gen Stats pitting their playoff chances at 31%. But paying handsomely for a player to help a year when the Cowboys look far behind the 49ers and entire NFC North wasn’t wise. Not to mention the Cowboys already dealt a 2027 sixth- and 2028 second-round pick for cornerback Joey Porter Jr. in a contract year. Consider this week’s patience a win for Jones’ judgment, even if a loss for his unfailing optimism.
Fernando Mendoza’s starting stretch: The 2026 first overall draft pick, Fernando Mendoza has already received more time to learn in the NFL than many rookie quarterbacks thrust into talent-shallow systems from the first week of their pro careers. In an ideal world, the Raiders would have given Mendoza still another month before starting. But receiving a third-round pick for Cousins was worth expediting Mendoza’s timeline. Why a month? The Raiders face three tough defenses up next in the Seahawks, Denver Broncos and Cleveland Browns. After their bye, the schedule lightens to the Los Angeles Chargers, a second Broncos matchup, the Titans, Arizona Cardinals and a likely-resting-their-starters Chiefs team. Mendoza should benefit from head coach Klint Kubiak’s sharp play-calling and talented pieces including center Tyler Linderbaum and tight end Brock Bowers. The Raiders’ defense keeping Maxx Crosby at the deadline also should lower the threshold the offense needs to hit to win games. A blueprint Mendoza and the Raiders can hope for: Drake Maye’s rookie season with the New England Patriots. Maye entered midseason with a struggling team (and particularly, a struggling offensive line) that won few games but created the foundation for him and the team to thrive in Year 2.
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The Chargers’ sense of reality: The 1-7 Titans, 2-7 Eagles and 2-7 Colts all gathered draft capital in recent days and weeks to bolster their future given this season’s playoff hopes are lost. Why didn’t the 0-8 Chargers, the league’s only winless team for three weeks now, follow suit? Give the Chargers a morsel of credit for dealing linebacker Daiyan Henley just before the deadline. The Chargers sent their contract-year linebacker to the in-division Broncos in exchange for a 2027 fourth- and 2028 fifth-round pick, a person with knowledge of the deal confirmed to Yahoo Sports. But otherwise, there were head-scratching decisions. Why not offload veteran Khalil Mack’s salary? Did the Chargers listen to offers on talented young edge Tuli Tuipulotu, even if his future value might not be worth shopping away? How about interior defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson as teams go all-in on defensive tackles? Much is wrong in Los Angeles right now, and the club has seemed unwilling to make changes at the staff or roster levels to fix it. The Chargers’ trade-deadline passivity is just the latest reason to question Jim Harbaugh’s grand plan.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
