From Two Firsts to a Fourth: What Every Big 2026 NFL Deadline Deal Has Cost So Far
Several big name players like Quenton Nelson, DeForest Buckner have been traded away to different teams, but with the trade deadline set to close on Nov. 10, fans can expect to see a few more surprising moves.
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DeForest Buckner (Image via Yardbarker)
Contending teams are pillaging others with losing records. With the trade deadline around the corner, the league has already seen some massive deals. From Quenton Nelson joining the Seattle Seahawks to DeForest Buckner returning to the San Francisco 49ers, teams are pushing to secure the best players available.
The Eagles kicked off the trade frenzy by sending center Cam Jurgens to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for a 2027 5th-round pick and a 2028 2nd-round pick. The Houston Texans made the first big trade. They traded for wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and a 2027 6th-round pick from the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for a 2027 2nd-round pick and a 2027 7th-round pick.
Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys were the next to make the headlines. Jones traded for Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr., sending Dallas a 2027 6th-round pick and a 2028 2nd-round pick. However, these players aren’t the biggest names to find new teams.
The Chicago Bears traded for Jeffery Simmons
Jeffery Simmons made his name as a disruptive defensive tackle for years. He earned three All-Pro selections and four Pro Bowls with the Tennessee Titans. The Titans repaid his services with a three-year, $105.8 million contract extension.
Simmons was considered an untouchable like quarterback Cam Ward. However, the Titans accepted a bid from the 5-2 Chicago Bears. The Titans traded Simmons and a 2028 fifth-round draft pick in exchange for the Bears’ 2027 and 2028 first-round selections and a 2027 fourth-rounder.
Simmons played 106 games with the Titans. He racked up 386 combined tackles, 46.5 sacks, and 31 passes defensed.
The Seattle Seahawks traded for guard Quenton Nelson
The Seahawks won the Super Bowl last term and are 4-3 after seven weeks. Quarterback Sam Darnold threw 24 interceptions and led the league in fumbles with 11, behind an average offensive line. Darnold has thrown 8 interceptions so far and has taken 14 sacks. Keeping that in mind, Seattle general manager John Schneider called the 2-5 Colts for veteran guard Quenton Nelson.
The Seahawks acquired Nelson in exchange for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick. Nelson ranks third among offensive linemen with an 85.7 PFF grade.
Nelson hasn’t missed a single game in the last four years. He has only given up 46 penalties in 136 regular-season games. The former Notre Dame star has six All-Pro selections and 8 Pro Bowl selections on his CV.
The San Francisco 49ers trade for defensive tackle DeForest Buckner
Within hours, the Colts traded away their two best players. Nelson left, and DeForest Buckner followed him out of Indy. But unlike Nelson, Buckner is returning to familiar surroundings.
Buckner spent four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers after the NFC West franchise drafted him with the seventh overall pick in 2016. The Niners traded Buckner to the Colts in exchange for a first-round draft pick in 2020. Seven seasons and 95 games later, the Colts traded Buckner back to the Niners. The Colts received a 2027 fourth-round pick.
Since his debut, Buckner has recorded 683 combined tackles, 75.5 sacks, 101 TFLs, 9 forced fumbles, and 11 forced returns. The former Oregon star has a couple of All-Pro selections and three Pro Bowl selections.
One trade to keep an eye out for
The trade deadline ends on November 10. Jerry Jones remains in the hunt to improve the Cowboys’ leaky defense. Dallas is 3-4 after defeating the Eagles on prime time. However, the defense conceded 21 points to an Eagles attack that didn’t have Jalen Hurts and DeVonta Smith.
Jones has teased that he wouldn’t shy away from making more trades. One player on the Cowboys’ radar is All-Pro pass rusher Maxx Crosby. The Raiders star nearly joined the Ravens before Baltimore franchise backed out of the deal.
Per league sources, the Raiders want a similar deal to the one the Titans got for Simmons—a couple of first-round draft picks. Dallas can certainly afford to part with first-rounders, but they could send one first-round selection and wide receiver George Pickens to Vegas for Crosby.
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Ishan Misra
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