The trade deadline has come and gone, but the absolute insanity of it might be discussed for years to come. Sauce Gardner to the Colts; Quinnen Williams to the Cowboys; Rashid Shaheed to the Seahawks.
It was all crazy, with 12 total players changing teams via trade and 14 total draft picks being exchanged on Nov. 4. Six of those 12 players traded were former first-round picks -- the most ever in a single day during a season and the second-most in a single day since at least 1995, per NFL Research.
In the end, 27 players were involved 22 total in-season trades from Week 1 to the trade deadline in 2025 -- marking the most players traded and the most in-season trades since at least 1995, per NFL Research.
The fallout is also noteworthy, as are the deals that didn't happen. Here's a look at what else was going on prior to Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET deadline:
- While the focus publicly was on Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb and Jaylen Waddle, sources say the Dolphins received significant interest in running back De'Von Achane. It seems the speedy 24-year-old generated as many phone calls as anyone, with Miami settling a second-round pick and more as the price. That never came, thanks in part to Achane being in a contract year and due for a significant pay day. But there was plenty of intrigue for Achane. Meanwhile, the Dolphins held firm on wanting a first-rounder and maybe more for Waddle and despite calls from teams such as the Steelers and Broncos, he stayed in Miami.
- The Jets traded Gardner and Williams, but not starting RB Breece Hall. The price for Hall seemed to be a third-rounder, plus he might have needed a fat new contract extension. Amid a career year, averaging 5.0 yards per rush, Hall is primed for a big offseason.
- There was plenty of discussion about Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, but when it all became real on Monday and Tuesday, sources say no offer was better than a fourth-round pick for 2024's sack champion. Due what's left of his $16-million base salary, with Cincinnati having already paid him $13 million, a second-rounder was required to make a trade possible. It doesn't sound like the Bengals got close to that. One contributing factor might have been health, with Hendrickson missing time recently for a hip injury. Teams could not have given him a physical before agreeing to terms, making it more complicated.
- Before the Colts stuck their mega deal for Gardner, they had discussions centered around Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor, who drew real interest on Monday and Tuesday. In fact, sources say the Bears were deep in talks for Taylor before a deal ended up falling through. Taylor, who is in a contract year and likely will get paid this offseason, spent time with Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen when he was head coach in New Orleans and the fit made sense. Alas, the Bears ended up dealing with the Browns for pass rusher Joe Tryon-Shoyinka.
- The Jets had three teams with real offers in on Quinnen Williams, with the Cowboys and Jaguars being the final two. Jaguars general manager James Gladstone has shown he's willing to swing big, but once Dallas agreed to send the better of their two first-round picks (instead of just the Packers first-rounder in 2027), that sealed it and Williams headed to Dallas.
- Former Colts second-rounder Adonai Mitchell was another player who received real interest. In fact, had he not gone to the Jets as part of the Gardner deal, the Browns planned to complete a trade for Mitchell, sending a late-round pick to Indianapolis. Mitchell has just nine catches this season for 152 yards, plus had a notable gaffe when he let go of the ball before the goal line against the Rams. He had fallen out of favor with the Colts.
