7 Shocking NFL Trades That Would Impact Playoff Races in 2025

With minicamps ongoing, NFL teams are taking some of their first steps toward finalizing their rosters for the 2025 season. Teams will be able to carry up to 90 players until cut day on August 26, the date that clubs must trim down to 53 players.

While there isn’t likely to be many significant changes to rosters now that all the top free agents are off the market and the draft is in the rear-view mirror, there is still a chance for some blockbuster trades to shake up the league’s landscape.

Whether the injury bug bites during training camp or a team struggles out of the gate and quickly fades from contention, the potential for deals involving star players who will have a tangible impact on playoff races will only grow leading up to the trade deadline.

With that in mind, here’s a look at seven hypothetical trades that could shift the NFL’s power structure.

Kirk Cousins to New Orleans Saints

AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.

Atlanta Falcons receive: QB Spencer Rattler, 2026 fifth-round pick, 2027 sixth-round pick

New Orleans Saints receive: QB Kirk Cousins

The New Orleans Saints were dealt a devastating blow when Derek Carr informed the team he would be retiring due to a degenerative shoulder injury. With a new regime helmed by head coach Kellen Moore coming in with high hopes of turning this middle-of-the-road squad into a playoff contender, the quarterback position has to be improved in short order.

New Orleans is running out of options to fix a QB room that consists of second-round rookie Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener. If the club wants to compete in 2025, it must swing a trade for Kirk Cousins—the last remaining proven veteran who is realistically available.

Cousins has been mired in a battle with the Atlanta Falcons—the team that benched him late in the 2024 campaign in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr.—for his freedom. Despite signing a blockbuster four-year, $180 million contract just over a year ago, Cousins is hoping to escape Atlanta and sign with a team that could utilize his services at this late stage of his NFL career.

While Cousins wants out, the Falcons have made it clear they won’t outright release him and are willing to pay the nearly $28 million he’s owed for the upcoming season to work as their backup.

If the Saints are going to spring Cousins free, they’ll likely need to take on a large portion of his guaranteed money. For an organization with just $29 million in available funds, such a move is far easier said than done. It's especially tricky given Cousins represents a major upgrade to one of Atlanta’s division rivals.

Still, the Saints could find a way to orchestrate a deal and instantly elevate themselves into contention. If they offer the right mix of financial benefits, draft capital and a replacement backup, the Falcons could ship Cousins to New Orleans to finish out his career.

Trey Hendrickson to Buffalo Bills

AP Photo/Stew Milne, File

Cincinnati Bengals receive: 2026 second-round pick

Buffalo Bills receive: Edge Trey Hendrickson

The Cincinnati Bengals have been mired in a series of contract disputes with some of their biggest stars over the last few seasons. The latest negotiations with Trey Hendrickson don’t appear to be going well and could result in the elite edge-rusher being shipped off rather than retained on an extension.

Hendrickson is still highly productive despite going into an age-31 season. He’s earned Pro Bowl nods in each of his four Bengals campaigns, including in 2024 when he posted a second consecutive 17.5-sack season that earned him first-team All-Pro honors and a second-place finish in the Defensive Player of the Year race.

That may be the last glimpse of him in a Bengals uniform, as Hendrickson has maintained he will not suit up for the club without a new deal in place. If Cincinnati’s brass cannot reach an agreement that keeps the eight-year veteran in place, Hendrickson should garner plenty of interest in the trade market.

The Buffalo Bills would be a fantastic fit for the edge rusher. The team is in need of more pass-rushing prowess, especially with offseason acquisition Joey Bosa already dealing with injuries that have kept him out of practice.

While the Bills have been burned by blockbuster edge defender acquisitions in the past—Von Miller recorded a meager six sacks over his last 25 games in Buffalo after signing a six-year, $120 million deal with the club—Hendrickson could buck that trend as a slam-dunk pickup.

While Buffalo doesn’t have much to offer in terms of draft capital, it doesn’t appear that teams are champing at the bit to send the Bengals a Day 1 pick for Hendrickson.

If Cincy is willing to come down on a lofty asking price, the Bills shouldn’t hesitate to send over a Round 2 pick to add one of the best sack creators of the past half-decade and bolster their Super Bowl aspirations.

Tyreek Hill to Arizona Cardinals

AP Photo/Brennan Asplen

Miami Dolphins receive: 2026 third-round pick, 2026 fourth-round pick

Arizona Cardinals receive: WR Tyreek Hill

The Miami Dolphins and Tyreek Hill have been headed toward a split since an ignominious end to last season. After quitting on the team in the finale and telling reporters “I’m out bro” after missing the playoffs for the first time in his decorated nine-year career, Hill at least issued an apology to his teammates shortly after.

That may not be enough, however, especially after the wideout regressed significantly last season. Hill didn't breech the 1,000-yard receiving mark and missed the Pro Bowl for the first time ever, failing to earn a spot on the All-Pro team after two consecutive appearances.

Moving on from Hill represents significant cap savings for a Dolphins team that could be trending toward a rebuild.

Hill’s contract calls for him to earn $27.7 million in guaranteed salary this season, but cutting or trading him would result in a manageable dead money hit of just $12.8 million. It would also free up nearly $15 million in immediate cap room.

With the ‘Phins sitting on just $14 million in available cap space—the sixth-lowest in the league—a breakup makes plenty of fiscal sense.

The Arizona Cardinals are a potential landing spot for Hill. The team is on the rise under head coach Jonathan Gannon, going from 4-13 in his first season to 8-9 last year. The receiving corps still needs a jolt, however, as Arizona avoided making any major splashes in free agency or the draft at the position.

While the Cardinals have a foundational pass-catcher in Marvin Harrison Jr. to build around for the long haul, adding Hill would give quarterback Kyler Murray the weapons he needs to contend in wide-open NFC West races this coming year and over the next few seasons.

Khalil Mack to Detroit Lions

AP Photo/Maria Lysaker, file

Los Angeles Chargers receive: 2026 fifth-round pick

Detroit Lions receive: Edge Khalil Mack

If the Los Angeles Chargers fall flat out of the gate this season, it wouldn’t be too much of a surprise to see them start selling off impact veterans who could affect the postseason race with their new team.

Khalil Mack fits the bill as a pricy veteran in the twilight of his career who can still make key contributions. He’s earned Pro Bowl nods in each of the last three seasons—including in 2023 when he notched a career-high 17 sacks—and the Bolts rewarded his consistent efforts with a one-year, $18 million extension back in March.

While Mack will be even more critical after L.A. parted ways with longtime pass-rusher Joey Bosa this offseason, he’s going into an age-34 campaign and doesn’t figure into the club’s long-term plans. If the Bolts are staring down a lost season, dealing him to a contender desperate for a backfield disruptor could be the best option for both parties.

The Detroit Lions could be the perfect landing spot for Mack. The team needs to add some juice on the edge to take the heat off star sack artist Aidan Hutchinson, and Mack could be the ideal player to give opposing offenses fits.

It won’t be easy for the Lions to absorb Mack’s $18 million salary, but the front office would be remiss to not find a way to fit the star under the cap. L.A. would benefit financially as well, receiving $8 million in immediate cap relief in exchange for incurring $10 million in dead money.

Injuries—including a season-ending broken leg for Hutchinson—caught up to Detroit last year and cost the organization a chance at its first Lombardi Trophy. Adding more depth and another elite option like Mack to ease Hutchinson’s burden is exactly what this roster needs to make a Super Bowl push.

David Njoku to Los Angeles Chargers

AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar

Cleveland Browns receive: 2026 fifth-round pick

Los Angeles Chargers receive: TE David Njoku

Longtime Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku has been up-and-down throughout his tenure with the club. While he’s been relatively productive and impactful when healthy, injuries cost him six games last year and he hasn’t participated in a full season since his sophomore campaign back in 2018.

Njoku is only two years removed from his finest season, a Pro Bowl 2023 in which he put up career-high marks of 81 receptions, 882 receiving yards and six touchdowns. While he was on pace to put up similar marks last season, he finished with a 64/505/5 stat line after missing six games due to injury.

With Njoku now entering a contract year, the Browns could opt to move on from the 28-year-old—especially if rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. looks ready to step into a prominent role right away. The third-round pick put up a Division I-leading 117 receptions and 1,555 yards at Bowling Green and has the potential to continue posting big receiving numbers at the next level.

The Los Angeles Chargers should come calling if Njoku is up for grabs. The team desperately needs to improve its tight end situation after failing to land an elite prospect in the 2025 draft and currently has an unexciting veteran duo of Tyler Conklin and Will Dissly set to handle most of the work at that position this season.

Adding Njoku into the mix would round out L.A.’s blossoming passing offense and potentially make it a force.

Jalen Ramsey to Los Angeles Rams

AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith, file

Miami Dolphins receive: 2027 seventh-round pick

Los Angeles Rams receive: CB Jalen Ramsey

It’s only a matter of time before Jalen Ramsey is no longer a member of the Miami Dolphins.

The team made the decision to move on from the veteran cornerback earlier in the offseason and shopped him during the draft. While a trade didn’t materialize at the time, it’s exceedingly unlikely Ramsey will still be with the team by the start of the regular season.

While Ramsey is only entering the second season of a three-year, $72 million extension he signed less than a year ago, his impact on the field has been diminishing.

After missing seven games in his first Miami campaign but still earning a Pro Bowl nod, he returned to start all 17 games in 2024. Ramsey wasn’t nearly as impactful as he had been in the past, posting just 11 pass defenses and two interceptions—his fewest since 2020.

The Los Angeles Rams have been heavily linked to Ramsey and it’d be surprising if he doesn’t end up with the team he spent three-and-a-half fruitful seasons with between 2019 and '22. The veteran-laden club is coming off a narrow loss to the eventual champion Philadelphia Eagles in the playoffs and is gearing up for at least one more Super Bowl push with aging quarterback Matthew Stafford at the helm

The availability of Jaire Alexander following his release from the Green Bay Packers might cool Ramsey’s market a bit, but the seven-time Pro Bowler should still have enough left in the tank to be a meaningful piece of an elite secondary.

If the Rams are willing to ship over a late-Day 3 pick for his services, it should be enough to get a deal done.

Courtland Sutton to New York Jets

AP Photo/Adrian Kraus

Denver Broncos receive: 2026 fourth-round pick, 2027 seventh-round pick

New York Jets receive: WR Courtland Sutton

If the Denver Broncos can’t rekindle the magic of 2024, the team could become sellers ahead of the trade deadline. One candidate to be sent packing is Courtland Sutton, the polarizing wide receiver now entering the final year of his contract.

Sutton has yet to earn an extension despite posting the best statistical performance of his career last season. The seven-year veteran appeared in all 17 games and caught 81 of his 135 targets for 1,081 yards and eight touchdowns. It was just the second 1,000-yard campaign of his career and the first since a Pro Bowl sophomore season back in 2019.

Injuries and inconsistency have plagued Sutton for the majority of his NFL journey, one that could be further negatively impacted in 2025 due to the presence of Devaughn Vele.

Vele, an unheralded seventh-round pick last year, is turning heads at training camp and appears to be the heir apparent to Sutton’s No. 1 receiver role. With him waiting in the wings and still having three seasons left on a dirt-cheap rookie deal, Sutton could soon find himself expendable.

The New York Jets could be very interested in Sutton’s services if he’s made available.

The club needs to find a running mate for top wideout Garrett Wilson after the failed Davante Adams experiment lasted just 11 games. With Josh Reynolds and Allen Lazard currently penciled in as the potential starters alongside Wilson, Gang Green would be wise to make a run at Sutton.

The receiver would provide far better support than new quarterback Justin Fields’ current options after Wilson and gives the squad a better chance of making a postseason foray.