5 NFL Trades We’d Like to See This Offseason

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5 NFL Trades We’d Like to See This Offseason

5 NFL Trades We'd Like to See This Offseason — Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Matt Johnson · Sportsnaut

Sat, Feb 14, 2026 ·

6 min read

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A new offseason has begun for the National Football League and we're already seeing some of the league's biggest starts popping up in NFL trade rumors. Between that and ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter suggesting this could be a very active offseason for trades, we might see more blockbuster deals than usual.

With that in mind, here are five NFL trades we'd like to see this offseason.

Trey Hendrickson Dealt to Indianapolis Colts

The marriage between Trey Hendrickson and the Cincinnati Bengals is on its last legs. Consecutive offseasons with training camp holdouts and a stalemate in contract negotiations have made it clear that he has no future in Cincinnati. He seems like a strong candidate to receive the franchise tag this offseason, in which case there will be more turmoil with the All-Pro edge rusher that may finally culminate in a trade.

Cincinnati Bengals trade:Trey Hendrickson
Indianapolis Colts trade:2026 second-round pick

A desperate team is the Indianapolis Colts . Having already traded a pair of future first-round picks for Sauce Gardner , general manager Chris Ballard has committed himself at this point to mortgaging the future to compete now. Hendrickson, age 31, might only be a high-end disruptor for another two to three years. With that said, Indianapolis has the cap space to extend him, and it would be a reunion with defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.

Philadelphia Eagles Trade A.J. Brown to New England Patriots

Maybe there's a path to the Philadelphia Eagles working things out with A.J. Brown. However, his comments throughout the season and all the NFL rumors surrounding him suggest a split is the likeliest outcome. Howie Roseman would certainly like to get a first-round pick back for Philadelphia's No. 1 wide receiver, but that could be a strong ask. However, the number of suitors at least creates a chance for that to happen.

Philadelphia Eagles trade:A.J. Brown, 137th overall pick
New England Patriots trade:Kyle Williams, 63rd overall pick, 95th overall pick

In this deal, the New England Patriots take a big swing following a Super Bowl loss to help out Drake Maye . With the number of starters the team has on rookie contracts—Maye, TreVeyon Henderson , Kayshon Boutte , Will Campbell , and Jared Wilson —it's much easier to afford A.J. Brown's deal. It does come at a relatively high acquisition cost, giving up Kyle Williams a year after using a third-round pick on him along with the 2026 picks, but Brown could provide All-Pro production for Maye.

Read More: 2026 NFL Mock Draft

Dallas Cowboys , Green Bay Packers Swing Nate Hobbs Trade

The Green Bay Packers signed Nate Hobbs last offseason with the hope that he could transition from nickel to playing on the perimeter. It didn't work out, and the club also quickly experienced his durability issues (knee). He's a solid starter at nickel, but Green Bay has safety Javon Bullard , who can more than hold his own in the slot. The signing just didn't work out, but as Justis Mosqueda of AcmePackingCompany.com detailed, Hobbs has trade value as a nickel as long as Green Bay is willing to roster him to the point it pays his 6.25 million roster bonus (3rd day of the new league year).

Green Bay Packers trade:Nate Hobbs
Dallas Cowboys trade:150th overall pick (Round 5)

The Dallas Cowboys have a glaring need at nickel, and acquiring Nate Hobbs later this offseason would effectively mean they have him on a one-year deal for around 2.6 million and could move on from him after that. It's a great value for a quality starter. Green Bay would be cutting its losses here, but at least it picks up a draft pick. With Hobbs at nickel, Dallas can use one of its first-round picks on an outside corner and the other on either a pass rusher or an off-ball linebacker.

Mac Jones Traded to Cleveland Browns

It's going to take some real convincing for the San Francisco 49ers to make a Mac Jones trade. Kyle Shanahan has long admired him, and given how well the former first-round pick performed as a starter this past season when Brock Purdy was sidelined, Jones is even more valuable. With that said, the right offer can convince any team to move its backup quarterback, especially given Shanahan's track record with young signal-callers.

San Francisco 49ers trade:Mac Jones
Cleveland Browns trade:70th overall pick, Dillon Gabriel

In a move like this, the Cleveland Browns move off 2025 third-round pick Dillon Gabriel and trade their highest third-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. Jones would provide legitimate competition for Shedeur Sanders in training camp, without general manager Andrew Berry having to use his top three picks on a quarterback. It's also the type of young, experienced starter who the Browns can afford to bring in since Jones carries just a $3.98 million cap hit next season.

Maxx Crosby Traded to Tampa Bay Buccaneers

It's certainly not a given that the Las Vegas Raiders trade Maxx Crosby. However, we tend to believe where there's smoke there's fire, and every sign right now is pointing to a split. Las Vegas is likely looking at a multi-year rebuild before it's ready to seriously compete, and Crosby is already entering his age-29 season. The All-Pro edge rusher will generate plenty of interest, but we like one fit in particular.

Las Vegas Raiders trade:Maxx Crosby
Tampa Bay Buccaneers trade:15th overall pick, 2027 second-round pick

For the Tampa Bay Buccaneers , they might have a slight edge in negotiations given their ties to Raiders general manager John Spytek. More importantly for Jason Licht, this is an all-in move to address the most glaring need of a perennial playoff contender with an aging roster. Acquiring Crosby gives Tampa Bay a shot to have a top-10 defense again, and a move like this likely also provides a reason for Mike Evans , Lavonte David , and potentially Jamel Dean to re-sign this offseason.

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