With the final NFL preseason games scheduled for Saturday, teams are preparing to begin the 2026 season with hopes of reaching Super Bowl 61 at SoFi Stadium on February 14, 2027. After training camp and the preseason, most clubs should have identified their 11 offensive and defensive starters. The Atlanta Falcons remain an exception as they continue evaluating quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr.
However, NFL seasons rarely unfold exactly as expected. Midseason trades often help teams strengthen rosters that are exceeding expectations, acquire draft capital during disappointing campaigns, or accelerate a rebuild.
The New York Jets provided a recent example of the latter approach. After their season began to unravel, they traded defensive standouts Quinnen Williams to the Cowboys and Sauce Gardner to the Colts. Both players now anchor their respective new teams.
Notable NFL Trade Candidates Before the Deadline
The end of the preseason also brings the annual NFL roster cutdown deadline. By 6:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, all 32 franchises must reduce their rosters from 90 players to 53 for the 2026 season. More than 1,000 players will be released, waived, or placed on injured-status designations.
Some players could receive a fresh opportunity through a trade. The Patriots and Texans completed one such deal this week, with wide receiver Kayshon Boutte moving to Houston after the Texans lost Jayden Higgins for the season to a torn ACL.
Three prominent players stand out as potential trade candidates before the upcoming deadline.
Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts quarterback
Selected fourth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, Anthony Richardson has struggled to establish consistency. He has started only 15 games across three seasons while dealing with multiple injuries, including an unusual orbital fracture that ended his 2025 campaign. He has also been benched because of poor execution.
Richardson has an 8–7 record as a starter, with 21 total touchdowns and 17 turnovers. Although the Colts gave him permission to pursue a trade earlier in the offseason, he remains in Indianapolis as Sunday’s deadline approaches.
J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings quarterback
Veteran Kyler Murray has secured Minnesota’s starting quarterback role, leaving 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy seemingly positioned as the backup. Recent practice reports, however, have made the Vikings’ quarterback situation less settled.
McCarthy split reps with veteran Carson Wentz as the primary backup earlier in the week before missing practice because of an ankle injury suffered against the Ravens. The developing situation could reinforce the 23-year-old’s place on the roster or lead other teams to contact the Vikings about a potential trade.
Kayvon Thibodeaux, New York Giants edge rusher
Giants head coach John Harbaugh addressed trade speculation surrounding Kayvon Thibodeaux this spring, noting that “everyone is technically movable” while also describing the 25-year-old edge rusher as a talented player in peak physical condition.
Thibodeaux is part of a crowded New York pass-rushing group that includes Brian Burns and Abdul Carter. The No. 5 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft is entering the final year of his rookie contract, which includes a $14.7 million fifth-year option.
With 23.5 career sacks and six forced fumbles, Thibodeaux could appeal to contenders seeking additional pass-rushing help before the regular season begins.
Source: www.marca.com
