Copyright NBC 5 Chicago
The NFL trade blockbusters are done for 2025. With the trade deadline in the rear view mirror, contenders had one last chance to bolster their respective rosters for an early 2026 push while struggling teams parted ways with stars and squad members. Tuesday didn't involve shocker after shocker, but the Big Apple provided the biggest entertainment. Wide receivers and defensive linemen were the primary positions seeing movement. The final deadline deal involved the Los Angeles Chargers bringing in offensive tackle Trevor Penning from the New Orleans Saints for a 2027 sixth-rounder in the wake of Joe Alt's season-ending ankle surgery. Let's analyze the trade deadline further with winners and losers: MORE NFL COVERAGE WINNER: Philadelphia Eagles The Eagles didn't make a deal specifically on deadline day, but general manager Howie Roseman continued to get busy on the phones. Philadelphia brought in edge rusher Jaelan Phillips from Miami, corner Jaire Alexander from Baltimore and corner Michael Carter II from the Jets in recent days. Besides a 2026 third-rounder used for Phillips, Philly didn't give up many important pieces or picks. In the hunt for a repeat title, the Eagles should still be considered the top NFC contender amid fresh teams in the chasing pack. LOSER: New York Jets The Jets are en route to another non-playoff season. Now they'll continue the season without two cornerstones on defense. New York dealt the two biggest stars on deadline day, moving cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts for two first-round picks and wideout Adonai Mitchell. Later, defensive tackle Quinnen Williams headed to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2026 second-rounder, 2027 first-rounder and DT Mazi Smith. The picks are nice, but there's no guarantee they'll be better than what Gardner and Williams have become. With Aaron Glenn off to a 1-7 start, New York needs to ensure they don't miss on its treasure trove of upcoming draft picks. Those picks are only valuable until they're used. WINNER: Dallas Cowboys Speaking of the Cowboys, a 3-5-1 start has done little to quell doubts that they're good enough to contend. Some weeks Dak Prescott is hot, some he's back to his old mistake-prone ways. But the defense has definitely been a consistent issue. Whether Micah Parsons staying would've fixed everything, who knows. Still, the Cowboys are a winner on deadline day for attempting to patch up that side of the ball. Williams, 27, will form a strong interior pairing with Kenny Clark, who arrived in the Parsons trade. Whether Dallas overpaid for Williams is a separate debate. Dallas also traded for former Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson, sending back a 2026 seventh-rounder. Wilson had asked out of Cincinnati with its season -- and defense -- in turmoil. He's not a perfect solution, but he has the tools to be a key squad piece for a team hoping to climb into the playoff picture. LOSER: San Francisco 49ers Somehow the 49ers are 6-3 despite leading the NFL in injuries, especially to stars and regular starters. They traded for Keion White and a 2027 sixth-rounder from the New England Patriots and sent a 2027 sixth-rounder back leading up to Tuesday. While White played in their win over the New York Giants and reinforced the depth chart, San Francisco lost rookie first-rounder Mykel Williams to an ACL and meniscus tear at MetLife. San Francisco just can't catch a break at essentially every position, but general manager John Lynch did not make a move for another edge player. Bryce Huff has revived himself under Robert Saleh and could return for Week 10, but the 49ers are on thin ice compared to their fellow NFC contenders. Perhaps San Francisco doesn't believe it has the quality or luck to make a run this year, but to not make at least one more move with its positioning should be seen as disappointing. LOSER: New England Patriots And speaking of the Patriots, they stood pat, too, but on the opposite side of the ball. With Drake Maye and Co. leading the charge to a 7-2 record, New England can definitely go even further with a relatively soft schedule. But compared to other contenders, including the 7-2 Colts that added Gardner, New England didn't push for a needle-moving trade. The wide receiver position was there to upgrade, as Jakobi Meyers and Rashid Shaheed found new homes in Jacksonville and Seattle. Instead, the Patriots will run the rest of the season with Stefon Diggs and Kayshon Boutte as the WR1/2 duo. DeMario Douglas and Mack Hollins are next on the depth chart, while tight end Hunter Henry is also vital for Maye. But there was an opportunity to make a statement addition. Only time will tell if patience was a virtue in Foxborough.
