NFL Trade Deadline Looms Amid Bengals, Giants, Packers Urgency

The NFL trade deadline arrives at 4 p.m. ET Tuesday, and Week 9 results sharpened the calculus for contenders evaluating whether to buy, sell or stand pat.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow threw for 271 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-17 win over the Falcons in Madrid on Sunday. The Bengals improved to 6-2 and are tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers for first place in the AFC North. They play the Steelers again next Sunday night.

Despite the offensive firepower, Cincinnati’s running game remains ineffective, and its secondary lacks depth at safety. Analysts suggest the Bengals could target Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker or Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III before the deadline.

New York Giants improved to 5-2-1 with a win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia on Sunday. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy left the game briefly with a hip injury but returned. Jameis Winston threw the game’s only touchdown while McCarthy was sidelined.

The Giants’ rushing attack averaged 2.6 yards per carry in the win. Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy Jr. remain out with injuries. Reports indicated the Giants withdrew an offer for Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor — a move analysts called prudent given the Colts’ steep asking price.

Dallas Cowboys defeated the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday but surrendered a double-digit second-half lead and trailed 23–20 with under two minutes remaining. The Cowboys are 4–5 and three games behind the Giants in the loss column.

Analysts judged Dallas’s push for additional defensive help an overreaction. Instead, they recommended the Cowboys explore trading wide receiver George Pickens — who missed Sunday’s game with an injury and plays on the franchise tag — to acquire defensive talent.

A wide receiver market appears active ahead of the deadline. Jacksonville Jaguars’ Brian Thomas Jr., Indianapolis Colts’ Josh Downs and Keenan Allen, Tennessee Titans’ Calvin Ridley, Los Angeles Chargers’ Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey, and Philadelphia Eagles’ Hollywood Brown are all cited as potential trade candidates.

Contenders reportedly seeking wide receiver help include the Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams. The Denver Broncos and Giants are also mentioned as possible participants.

Green Bay Packers defeated the New England Patriots 45–27 on Sunday. Quarterback Jordan Love passed for 372 yards and three touchdowns on 23-of-29 throws and added a rushing touchdown. The Packers rushed for 129 yards on 32 carries — a sharp improvement over their league-worst 60.6 rushing yards per game entering the contest.

Starting running back Josh Jacobs injured his hand in the first quarter and did not return. Kaleb Johnson and Pierre Strong Jr. filled in. Analysts called the Packers’ need for run-game support — via running back, offensive lineman or blocking tight end — a legitimate concern heading into the deadline.

Fantasy football notes: Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Makai Lemon was labeled a legitimate second-half asset. Denver Broncos running back Jonah Coleman was deemed a must-start RB1. Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Indianapolis Colts running back Seth McGowan were both labeled speculative pickups.

Kenneth Walker III was named the fantasy MVP of 2026.

The deadline falls at 4 p.m. ET Tuesday.

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