A.J. Brown and 4 Shocking Trades That Would Turn the NFL Season Upside Down

It may feel like the 2025 NFL season is only beginning, but we are five weeks in and the trade deadline is looming on November 4.

It has become apparent which teams are dealing with glaring roster holes that aren't fixable with in-house talent. After cycling through players and trying to find a spark for more than a month, these clubs are out of options and have to be feeling desperate to make a move.

There's still time to fill these voids with capable players, but general managers will need to be aggressive in working the phones and coming up with suitable offers to land the type of talent who can change a team's fortunes and impact the Super Bowl race.

With that in mind, here's a look at five shocking trades that could turn the NFL season upside down.

Editor's Note: A proposed Cincinnati Bengals-San Francisco 49ers trade was removed after the Bengals reportedly traded QB Joe Flacco and a 2026 sixth-round draft pick to Cincinnati in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round pick, the Cleveland Browns announced. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero first reported the deal.

Mark Andrews to Los Angeles Chargers

AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann

Los Angeles Chargers receive: TE Mark Andrews

Baltimore Ravens receive: 2026 sixth-round draft pick

With things going from bad to worse in recent weeks for the Baltimore Ravens, the team could soon become one of the more unexpected sellers at the trade deadline.

One longtime Raven who could be on the way out is Mark Andrews, a veteran tight end now in the final year of his contract. While he's in his eighth NFL season and on the wrong side of 30, he's still a highly productive player who could help a contender.

The three-time Pro Bowler appeared in all five games for Baltimore this year, reeling in 17 receptions for 150 yards and two touchdowns. Coming off an 11-touchdown 2024 season, he is believed to be a player who could "command some interest around the league" at the deadline, per Fox Sports' Eric D. Williams.

The Los Angeles Chargers are lacking a true pass-catching weapon at the TE spot and should consider making a run at Andrews.

Tyler Conklin (8/83/0) and rookie Oronde Gadsden II (11/76/0) have been sharing receiving duties at the position for the 3-2 Bolts, but neither profiles as a reliable weapon for star quarterback Justin Herbert at this point in their careers.

Conklin is best served as a veteran backup, while Gadsden is still a raw prospect who needs more time to develop before he's ready to play a larger role for the Chargers.

Andrews would be able to step in and immediately supplant both as the team's top tight end, playing a key role alongside a talented receiving corps headlined by Quentin Johnston, Keenan Allen and Ladd McConkey.

If the Ravens continue to lose in October, dealing Andrews away for picks to retool with this offseason will be the best path forward.

It may not represent a fitting end to his impressive Ravens tenure, but it's making the best of a miserable situation—providing Baltimore future assets to retool with and Andrews a shot at his first Super Bowl ring as part of a strong Chargers squad led by another Harbaugh brother.

A.J. Brown to Buffalo Bills

AP Photo/Matt Rourke

Buffalo Bills receive: WR A.J. Brown

Philadelphia Eagles receive: 2026 second-round draft pick, 2027 conditional third-round draft pick

A.J. Brown may be one of the league's highest-paid wide receivers, but you wouldn't be able to tell given his usage and production over the first five weeks of the season.

The Philadelphia Eagles star has tallied just 19 catches on 36 targets for 194 yards and one touchdown.

With Brown only on par for 660 receiving yards this season, it makes sense for Philadelphia to move on from the 28-year-old at the trade deadline.

Despite his struggles, the Eagles are still a strong bet to repeat as champions after opening the year with a 4-1 record while leveraging the Saquon Barkley-led ground game to generate a bulk of their offensive production.

Although Philly's brass reportedly told teams there was "no chance" Brown would be dealt this year, there would be plenty of interested suitors should the team relent on that stance.

Per the NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, several clubs have reported called to inquire about his availability in recent weeks.

The Buffalo Bills make for an intriguing landing spot. They boast the same 4-1 record as Philadelphia and have an MVP quarterback in Josh Allen leading their offense, but the team still lacks a true No. 1 wideout who can take the passing game to another level.

While slot wideout Khalil Shakir (22/235/2) and X receiver Keon Coleman (21/226/2) have played their roles adequately, tight end Dalton Kincaid leads Buffalo in receiving yardage (287) and receiving touchdowns (three). There's clearly room for a star like Brown to come in and take over as Allen's top target down the stretch.

If the Bills are willing to kick over an early Day 2 pick and a conditional 2027 pick to sweeten the pot, it may just be enough to get the Eagles to consider moving on from the pass-catcher.

Jakobi Meyers to Arizona Cardinals

AP Photo/David Becker

Arizona Cardinals receive: WR Jakobi Meyers

Las Vegas Raiders receive: 2026 third-round draft pick

With everything going wrong for the Las Vegas Raiders since their season-opening victory over the New England Patriots, it could be time to start thinking about the future and making moves with the 2026 offseason in mind.

One player who could return a strong amount of draft capital is Jakobi Meyers, the veteran wideout who has been one of the few consistent playmakers for this downtrodden club in recent years.

Meyers broke out following the Davante Adams trade last year, proving he could succeed in a key role by posting his first 1,000-yard season. The seven-year veteran is off to another strong start to 2025 too, amassing 290 yards on his 25 catches.

With the 28-year-old playing out the final year of his contract, Vegas brass should get ahead of Meyer's likely free-agency departure by trading him to one of the teams that has become desperate for receiving help.

The Arizona Cardinals need to get their passing offense going if they are going to compete for a playoff spot. They started off the year strong with back-to-back wins, but have since gone on to become the first team in NFL history to lose three consecutive games on last-second field goals.

The Cardinals are averaging a concerning 170.2 yards per game through the air—the third-worst mark in the league—over the first five weeks. Second-year wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. and veteran tight end Trey McBride are the only two Arizona players to go over 65 receiving yards or 13 receptions this year, with Greg Dortch (8/52/1) being the second-most productive player in the team's receiving corps.

Arizona has to find another viable wideout to complement Harrison, a role Meyers would excel in. While he's been working as a WR1 for the Raiders, he's a more natural WR2 and would thrive in that role for the Cardinals.

With Arizona running out of time to get back on track, the club should be willing to kick over a Day 2 pick to land Meyers.

Jaylen Wright to Kansas City Chiefs

AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski

Kansas City Chiefs receive: RB Jaylen Wright

Miami Dolphins receive: 2026 sixth-round draft pick

The Miami Dolphins have fallen apart during a 1-4 start to the 2025 season. With little hope of turning things around, expect them to host a fire sale ahead of the trade deadline.

While star running back De'Von Achane may be the real prize in Miami's backfield, his affordable contract, youth and production will likely make him too costly for contenders to land.

Backup Jaylen Wright is far more likely to be moved, as he's fallen out of favor in the backfield and hasn't lived up to his immense potential since being drafted in Round 4 last year.

At his best, Wright is a dynamic playmaker who can make good things happen with the ball in his hands. He profiles as an equally competent rusher and receiver, a versatile back who could jump-start a flailing ground game for a team that needs some athleticism.

The Kansas City Chiefs fit the bill, as their plodding backfield has yet to move the needle for the reigning AFC champions.

Starter Isiah Pacheco is having a pedestrian campaign, rushing for 127 yards and zero touchdowns on his 32 carries. Backup Kareem Hunt looks washed again following a resurgent 2024 season, averaging just 3.2 yards per carry and finding the end zone just once in 2025.

With quarterback Patrick Mahomes leading the team in rushing, Kansas City clearly needs to find a backfield spark.

While the cash-strapped contender won't be able to splurge on a high-profile back, taking a chance on someone like Wright could result in this squad finally getting its rushing attack figured out and help drive yet another Super Bowl run.