NFL Trade Deadline 2025 Twitter Reaction to Trades, Fails, Surprises and Non-Deals

The 2025 NFL Trade Deadline has come and gone and in its wake is a New York Jets team depleted by deals but facing a future full of potential amid several first-round draft picks acquired Tuesday ahead of the 4:00 p.m. EST cutoff.

How did social media react to the organization's blockbuster deals involving Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams, as well as the deals that did not get done?

Find out in this recap.

Indianapolis' Sauce Gardner Blockbuster

AP Photo

The biggest deal ahead of the deadline came in the form of the Jets trading star cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts for two first-round draft picks (2026, 2027) and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell.

Dante Koplowitz-Fleming, senior researcher for the NFL reported that Gardner is the "youngest player in NFL history to be traded midseason after making multiple First-Team All-Pro selections."

ESPN's Pat McAfee reacted live on air as the news broke.

Albert Breer reacted, stating it would be hard to imagine a bigger trade on the day.

ESPN's Dan Orlovsky provided a one-word reaction to the Gardner trade, referencing the Colts' bounty for the cornerback.

The Athletic's Zak Keefer recalled a story involving Gardner and new Colts teammate Alec Pierce from their days together at the University of Cincinnati.

Some poked fun at the current situation with the 1-7 Jets and the 2022 Defensive Rookie of the Year's eagerness to go to a contender.

Colts fans were overjoyed with the arrival of a defensive playmaker who can shore up the back end and strengthen the secondary.

The enormous haul for the Jets, with two first-round picks in the next two drafts, was not enough. The suddenly rebuilding franchise had one other blockbuster trade up its sleeve.

Quinnen Williams Heads to Dallas

AP Photo

The Jets struck again shortly after the Gardner news broke, sending three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys for a second-round pick in 2026, a first in 2027, and their own defensive tackle, Mazi Smith.

One of the best in the league at his position, Williams has 17 tackles, a sack, and three forced fumbles on the season.

Despite what should be excitement surrounding the acquisition of a star defenseman, some remained skeptical given the poor defense the Cowboys have played through nine weeks.

One Cowboys fan, though, expressed optimism that the trade could be a turning point in the season for a team that fell to 3-5-1 with their 27-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals Monday night.

Barstool suggested that Williams, like Gardner, may be happier to escape what has become a disastrous Jets team and head literally anywhere else.

Breece Hall, Jets running back, posted his heartbreak over his teammates heading elsewhere (post since removed).

For Dallas, Williams represented the second key addition to defense Tuesday. The team added depth to its linebacker corps by trading a 2026 seventh-round pick to Cincinnati for Logan Wilson.

Wilson had previously expressed his desire to be traded away from the Bengals.

Breece Hall and Trades That Did Not Happen

AP Photo

Just days removed from Halloween, the Simpsons NFL account had a terrifying reminder for the aforementioned Breece Hall, who remains with the 1-7 team for whom he was drafted.

Another account utilized a Dark Knight Rises comparison to explain the decision.

For another, an iconic Will Smith scene from Fresh Prince of Bel Air was more appropriate.

AJ Brown, despite speculation that the sometimes disgruntled wide receiver may be traded, remained with the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.

General manager Howie Roseman reiterated his importance to the organization.

Jordan Schultz reported that the Denver Broncos were one of the teams to contact Miami regarding wide receiver Jaylen Waddle but the Alabama product stayed put with the Dolphins.

One 49ers fan expressed disappointment, but seemingly understood the team's decision not to make a trade.

It remains to be seen if any of the teams that did make trades will ultimately achieve the goal of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy but for the Colts in particular, they appear closer to that prize than at any point in the last decade.