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3 Biggest Winners From Wild NFL Trade Deadline

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Nov 5, 2025 12:32 PM ET

The 2025 NFL trade deadline was hectic to say the least. The New York Jets shook up the landscape of the league by parting ways with a pair of All-Pro players in Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams.

Tuesday's madness kicked off with the Jets sending Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts for two first-round picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. This trade shocked everyone around the league, especially since the Jets signed Gardner to a four-year, $120.4 million extension this past summer.

Roughly an hour later, New York shipped Williams to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick and defensive tackle Mazi Smith. That's a pretty good return for the Jets.

With that said, let's discuss the biggest winners from this year's trade deadline.

Oct 5, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) celebrates after a play against the New York Giants during the fourth quarter at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

Seahawks WR Rashid Shaheed

Rashid Shaheed has gone from the worst team in the NFL to a legitimate Super Bowl contender overnight. On Tuesday, the New Orleans Saints traded him to the Seattle Seahawks for 2026 fourth- and fifth-round picks.

The Seahawks have been excellent this season in large part due to Jaxon Smith-Njigba. He has 58 receptions for 948 yards and four touchdowns. That being said, the rest of the wide receiver room hasn't held up their weight.

Shaheed gives the Seahawks a deep threat who knows offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak's system very well. After all, they spent the 2024 season together in New Orleans.

Aug 22, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer during the second half against the Atlanta Falcons at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images© Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Dallas coach Brian Schottenheimer

Talk about getting much-needed upgrades to the defense. The Cowboys didn't just acquire Quinnen Williams, they traded a Day 3 pick to the Cincinnati Bengals for linebacker Logan Wilson.

"It's exciting," Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said. "Kudos to Jerry and Stephen, Will, being aggressive but then smart. A couple of moves we made, you're getting guys not just for this year but beyond, which I think is great… I think it's two terrific players, but also terrific young men."

Williams and Wilson should help improve a Dallas defense that's giving up 30.8 points per game this season. If that happens, Schottenheimer's chances of keeping his job in 2026 will increase exponentially.

Jets GM Darren Mougey

Trading away Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams will hurt the Jets in the immediate future, but they weren't going anywhere at 1-7.

As of right now, New York owns a pair of first-round picks in the 2026 draft as well as three first-rounders for the 2027 draft. That gives general manager Darren Mougey enough ammo to rebuild the roster in his image.

Expect the Jets to use some of their assets on improving the quarterback situation in 2026.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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