NFL Trade Deadline Winners and Losers
Bears trade for Montez Sweat? Did the Vikings get their quarterback for a playoff push?
This year's NFL trade deadline paled in comparison to last year's, which was filled with a whirlwind of activity. On the final day alone, teams traded 12 players, causing 19 players to switch teams. Nonetheless, on Tuesday, six deals were struck.
Some of the biggest defensive players were unexpectedly traded to new teams. With a change of address, the quarterback embarked on a new chapter in his career. The decision not to trade a gifted wideout proved to be a disastrous error for one team.
Get an insight into the trade deadline of winners and losers, exploring the implications of their trades.
Winner: Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris
Harris, the new owner of the Commanders, has wasted no time in making his intentions clear. After only three months in charge, he made a bold move by trading away Montez Sweat and Chase Young, the team's starting edge rushers, signaling his long-term goals for the organization. The Chicago Bears acquired Sweat in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2024 draft. In a deal with the San Francisco 49ers, Young was sent there for a 2024 third-round pick.
Young and Sweat, both talented but not dominant, present an even greater risk in the trade because of their expiring contracts. There is no guarantee that the teams acquiring them will be able to re-sign them. Despite the unlikelihood, Washington successfully traded for two early-round picks for the tandem. Now, they have five picks in the first 100 selections of the draft, laying a firm foundation for the future.
Loser: Ron Rivera
Rivera consistently referred to Chase Young as a once-in-a-lifetime talent, even though the head coach selected him over quarterbacks, Justin Herbert and Tua Tagovailoa. This decision was made during a time when the Commanders were desperate for a franchise quarterback, a problem they continue to face. Despite this, Young, who had 7.5 sacks in his rookie season, has had difficulty meeting expectations and staying on the field. With their top edge rushers gone, Washington's chances of winning games this year look bleak, especially since they are already 3-5. The direction of this impending build seems to be shifting towards a house-cleaning rebuild, and Rivera is unlikely to be on hand to oversee it.
Winner: San Francisco 49ers
With the recent addition of Randy Gregory, the 49ers are assembling a formidable group of pass rushers, ready to wreak havoc on opposing offenses. They gave up a third-rounder, a gamble that could pay off big if Young reaches his full potential. He joins fellow Ohio State Buckeye Nick Bosa on the 49ers and is now part of a ferocious defensive front that wreaks havoc on opposing offenses.
Loser: Chicago Bears
Sweat is highly capable on the field, but he lacks the elite status in the eyes of those around the league. Despite his years in the league, he has never achieved a season with double-digit sacks. As of 2023, his average stands at 7.25 sacks per year. And then there's the matter of his contract, which hangs over the Bears’ heads like a dark cloud. Because of his impending free agency, this might be a short-term stint of just nine games for the Bears, who aren't currently in a position to make a deep playoff push. The Bears' decision to make this trade appeared baffling and left fans puzzled.
Winner: Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings (4-4) were on a winning streak with three consecutive victories and four out of five wins until their quarterback Kirk Cousins had a devastating torn Achilles tendon. The Vikings were determined to find a quarterback with prior starting experience, while the Cardinals didn't see the value in keeping Josh Dobbs once Kyler Murray returned.
Dobbs' intelligence, stemming from his background as a rocket scientist, made him a reliable quarterback who quickly grasped offensive systems, despite not being outstanding in Arizona. The Vikings acquired him by only surrendering a sixth-round pick. Dobbs is poised for success in Kevin O'Connell's offense, which is known for being quarterback-friendly.
Loser: Davante Adams
The Las Vegas Raiders chose not to trade the three-time All-Pro wide receiver at the deadline, leaving him feeling mistreated. In the spring of 2022, they orchestrated a trade with the Green Bay Packers to acquire Adams, motivated by their intention to reunite him with his former Fresno State teammate Derek Carr. The players themselves exerted considerable effort to make it happen. Carr's tenure with the Raiders turned sour as he bore the blame for new coach Josh McDaniels, which ultimately led to his release.
Despite Adams' exceptional talent, McDaniels has yet to showcase him effectively, causing Adams to feel increasingly frustrated. The Raiders would have been much better off bartering Adams for draft picks to contribute to their rebuilding efforts that they need to undertake after this season.
Winner: Seattle Seahawks
Seattle made two key moves to strengthen its defense. First, they signed Frank Clark to bolster their edge pass rush. Then, they traded for Leonard Williams to bring extra energy to the heart of their line. The Seahawks strengthened their defense by trading picks for a Pro Bowl lineman.
NFL Trade Deadline Recap
So, in summary, a few teams made the most of the available opportunities. As the day progressed, certain players found themselves in more advantageous situations. No matter how eventful it really is, the final day is marked by a give-and-take that adds a layer of tension to the NFL atmosphere. Here is the final recap of the traded players and the teams they ended up with.
DE Chase Young to 49ers
DE Montez Sweat to Bears
QB Josh Dobbs to Vikings
OL Ezra Cleveland to Jaguars
WR Donovan Peoples-Jones to Lions
CB Rasul Douglas to Bills
DL Leonard Williams to Seahawks
Safety Kevin Byard to Eagles
Stay in the loop with new content by clicking the subscribe button below if you found this article enlightening.
Thank you for reading and stay tuned for more.