2024 NFL Trade Deadline Primer: Date, Time, Notable Candidates, Potential Buyers and Sellers

Eight weeks of the 2024 NFL regular season are scheduled. Which means we’re quickly approaching the halfway point of the fall calendar. And, with that, the in-season trade deadline.

Here’s everything you need to know:

When is the NFL trade deadline?

This is the official deadline for all transactions between the teams until the official start of the 2025 offseason (March 12). After the deadline, players can only be added via free agency, waivers or practice squad signings.

What is the deadline?

The deadline is 4 p.m. ET Tuesday, November 5which falls between weeks 9 and 10 of the regular season schedule. This is a week later than usual, since the NFL previously held it on the Tuesday following Week 8 from 2012 to 2023. Before that, the deadline was even earlier, falling on the Tuesday following Week 6.

Do deadline deals actually happen?

Absolutely! In fact, several major events have already happened this year. It’s not quite NBA or MLB-level activity, but the NFL has seen an uptick in big-name movement over the past decade, arguably due to both from the adjustment of deadlines and the influx of aggressive general managers. Pro Bowlers acquired at recent deadlines include Davante Adams (2024), Amari Cooper (2024, 2018), DeAndre Hopkins (2024), Diontae Johnson (2024), Christian McCaffrey (2022), Emmanuel Sanders (2019), TJ Hockenson ( 2022), Montez Sweat (2023), Roquan Smith (2022), Von Miller (2021), Jalen Ramsey (2019) and Stephon Gilmore (2021).

Already traded this year

Speaking of deadline deals, here are some of the most notable names already moving to new teams:

Remaining commercial candidates

The following players have also been widely speculated or reported as potential trading chips. Or register as possible targets due to expired or bloated contracts, likely team rebuilds, etc.

Note: Asterisks denote former Pro Bowl selections.

QB	Trey Lance (Cowboys), Zach Wilson (Broncos)
R.B.	Miles Sanders* (Panthers)
W.R.	Tee Higgins (Bengals), Adam Thielen* (Panthers), Mike Williams (Jets), Treylon Burks (Titans), KJ Osborn (Patriots)
YOU	Evan Engram* (Jaguars), Austin Hooper (Patriots)
OL	Cam Robinson (Jaguars), Brandon Scherff* (Jaguars), Braden Smith (Colts), Joe Noteboom (Rams), Walker Little (Jaguars)
D.L.	Sébastien Joseph-Day (Titans)
EDGE	Za’Darius Smith* (Browns), Azeez Ojulari (Giants), Jadeveon Clowney* (Panthers)
kg	Devin Lloyd (Jaguar)
CB	Jonathan Jones (Patriots), Tre’Davious White* (Rams), Avonte Maddox (Eagles)
S	Xavier Woods (Panthers), Andre Cisco (Jaguars), James Bradberry* (Eagles)

Which teams could be buyers and sellers?

Potential buyers

• Detroit Lions: A year after reaching the NFC title game, they still look like perhaps the most dangerous team in the league when firing on all cylinders. However, the loss of star passer Aidan Hutchinson to injury could prompt them to explore emergency relief. Their division is also busy.
• Minnesota Vikings: No one expected them to start 5-2, and yet the NFC North suddenly finds itself loaded with potential playoff contenders. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, meanwhile, is no stranger to season-ending splashes, landing TJ Hockenson from the rival Detroit Lions in 2022.

Potential sellers

• Carolina Panthers: Andy Dalton’s spark is completely extinguished now; no matter who is at the center, they have work to do to become relevant again. And between 1 and 7, when the entire infrastructure needs to be rebooted, there is hardly a better time to auction off interesting assets.
• Jacksonville Jaguars: Every week seems to bring a new level of crisis here. They’ve shown more fight lately, but now the Doug Pederson-Trevor Lawrence lineup has the three best wide receivers on the club. It’s very possible the Jags approach the deadline at 2-7.
• New England Patriots: They probably don’t want to completely remove new quarterback Drake Maye’s supporting cast, but is there that much to cut anyway? With a new coach and general manager, the No. 1 priority, besides Maye’s development, should be gathering picks to build around him.