Predicting the Biggest NFL Trades That Could Shape the 2026 Offseason

With Wild-Card Weekend behind us, most teams in the league are officially in 2026 offseason mode. While free agency and the draft are the primary mechanisms for player movement, a blockbuster trade can shift the balance of power in the league.

Of course, there will be plenty of chatter surrounding who could be on the move this offseason. Once we crown a Super Bowl champion, we have plenty of time before free agency and the draft actually start.

It can be expected that there will be some actual movement too, though. Last offseason saw George Pickens traded to the Dallas Cowboys, setting up the Steelers to trade for DK Metcalf.

Here, we'll make a few predictions as to what deals will shake up the offseason and have domino effects of their own.

Edge Maxx Crosby to the Commanders

AP Photo/William Liang

Raiders Edge Maxx Crosby

Commanders Get: Edge Maxx Crosby

Raiders Get: 2026 first-round pick (No. 7 overall), 2026 fifth-round pick (No. 145 overall), 2027 first-round pick

History has a way of repeating itself. Back in 2018, the Raiders got a stockpile of draft picks from the Chicago Bears for a prime Khalil Mack. The Raiders might be in position to get another draft haul for a star edge-rusher.

Maxx Crosby signed a three-year, $106 million extension last offseason. However, ESPN's Kalyn Kahler and Ryan McFadden reported that another NFL executive said he believes Crosby is "done in Vegas".

The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported that there's a belief around the league that the Raiders would be open to trading if they can't mend the strained relationship the star pass-rusher has with the franchise. The team shut him down for the final two weeks of the season due to a knee injury that required surgery.

A team like the Bears might want to repeat history, but it's going to take a contender who can afford to absorb Crosby's contract while enticing the Raiders with picks.

The Commanders fit the bill. They have around $89.8 million in cap space and the potential to have a huge bounce-back season with a healthy Jayden Daniels next season.

Washington's struggles this season gives them the advantage of a top-10 pick to offer to Vegas. Dan Quinn would get the marquee pass-rusher he needs to improve the Commanders defense and the Raiders would be able to potentially add a quarterback at No. 1 and a foundational defensive prospect at No. 7.

QB Tua Tagovailoa to Jets

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa

New York Jets Get: QB Tua Tagovailoa, 2027 second-round pick, Salary Compensation

Miami Dolphins Get: 2027 fifth-round Pick

Salary cap dump trades aren't all that common in the league. However, we could see a rare example play out as the Dolphins look for a way to get out from under Tua Tagovailoa's contract.

The Jets are well-positioned to draft Dante Moore with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 draft. Moore is the No. 9 prospect on our big board and the second quarterback behind Fernando Mendoza.

It's also not guaranteed that Moore will declare for this year's draft. ESPN's Pete Thamel noted that there's a feeling at Oregon that he could stay. Given Oregon's NIL warchest and the Jets track record with young quarterbacks, he may stay in Eugene for another season.

If that's the case, the Jets will need to turn to a veteran. If not, it would still be a good idea to have a veteran on the roster.

Moore won't turn 21 until May and is still relatively inexperienced as a redshirt sophomore. Asking him to come in and win right away in a season where Aaron Glenn could be coaching to keep his job is a big ask.

For all of Tua Tagovailoa's faults, he is 44-32 as a starter. Tagovailoa said he would be open to a fresh start after a season in which he ended on the bench. The only problem is that he's only one year into his four-year extension.

The Jets are uniquely positioned to help the Dolphins out. They have $93.7 million in cap space, which is plenty to take on a significant portion of Tagovailoa's contract before cutting it in 2027 with little additional cost.

That would help the Jets win now while adding to their draft pick stockpile and showing some creativity in navigating their rebuild under Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey.

WR A.J. Brown to the Patriots

AP Photo/Chris Szagola

Eagles WR A.J. Brown

New England Patriots Get: A.J. Brown

Philadelphia Eagles Get: 2026 first-round pick, 2026 third-round pick, 2027 third-round pick

It's no secret that A.J. Brown had an up-and-down year with the Philadelphia Eagles. He had seven games in which he had fewer than 50 receiving yards and barely eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark.

He didn't hesitate to air his frustrations with the offense either.

All of that drama could lead to a trade, as ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that league executives believe the Eagles could be looking to move Brown this offseason.

If so, there are plenty of teams that should be interested. Two of the most prominent ones are AFC East rivals in the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots. Both are contenders who could use Brown as their WR1.

That arms race could be a major offseason through line, but the Patriots have more resources to assemble the best offer for the Eagles receiver. With 11 draft picks and $54 million in cap space, New England could comfortably come up with a package that would put Brown in pass-heavy offense with ascending quarterback Drake Maye.

The move would put pressure on other AFC contenders to get aggressive to keep up with the Pats while shifting the Eagles offense in Philly.

WR Brandon Aiyuk to Bills

AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez, File

49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk

Buffalo Bills Get: WR Brandon Aiyuk

San Francisco 49ers Get: WR Keon Coleman, 2026 fifth-round pick

The Bills might not have the resources to keep up with the Patriots in a bidding war for A.J. Brown, but they have enough to facilitate Brandon Aiyuk's exit from San Francisco.

If the Patriots pull off a major move for a receiver, then it would make a lot of sense for the Bills to go after a distressed asset. When healthy, Aiyuk is an elite separator and the type of man coverage-beater the Bills need.

The 49ers voided Brandon Aiyuk's 2026 guarantees after a rift formed between the two regarding his rehab from the torn ACL that forced him to miss this season.

That leaves the Niners with a messy situation with their star receiver and the motivation to trade him for less than market value.

At the same time, the relations hip between the Bills and young receiver Keon Coleman has soured. The Bills benched him this season for professionalism issues.

Both Aiyuk and Coleman could use a change of scenery. The Bills could use a high caliber receiver at a discounted price while the Niners need cheaper help in light of Brock Purdy's new contract extension.

This is a trade that helps the Bills keep up with the Patriots while still allowing the Niners to have another young receiver. Kyle Shanahan could have a good shot at helping Coleman get his career on the right track.

QB Kyler Murray to the Steelers

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray

Pittsburgh Steelers Get: Kyler Murray

Arizona Cardinals Get: 2026 third-round pick, 2027 conditional fourth-round pick (becomes a second-round pick based on playing time)

This is not the year to have a need at quarterback if you don't have the No. 1 pick. Fernando Mendoza is the No. 5 overall player on our big board, but No. 9 prospect Dante Moore hasn't committed to leaving Oregon at this point.

That leaves Ty Simpson (No. 30 overall) as the next-best quarterback prospect. Simpson went No. 13 overall in our latest mock draft. That would leave the Steelers without a first-round prospect.

The weak quarterback class could have the Steelers looking to take a big swing on Kyler Murray, one of the few veteran quarterbacks who could be available. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the franchise plans to have extensive discussions about Murray's future this offseason.

The Steelers proved they have the roster and coaching to get into the playoffs with a baseline of competent quarterback play. Aaron Rodgers (44.1) was just 23rd in Total QBR, and Pittsburgh still won the AFC North. Murray has surpassed that mark in every season of his career.

Pittsburgh has valued remaining relevant, and this is a move that keeps them competitive in the AFC North. Murray's price has likely taken a hit after playing just five games and carrying $36.8 million in guarantees in 2026.

Assuming Rodgers retires, Murray might be the best veteran quarterback available on the trade market. A trade in which they give up a Day 2 pick this year and a conditional pick that appreciates if Murray stays healthy could land them their next veteran quarterback.

CB Trent McDuffie to the Rams

AP Photo/Matt Patterson

Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie

Rams Get: Trent McDuffie

Chiefs Get: 2026 first-round pick

The Los Angeles Rams are still alive in the hunt for the Lombardi Trophy, but giving up a combined 215 yards on 14 catches to Jalen Coker and Tetairoa McMillan on Wild-Card Weekend reveals how desperately the Rams need a shutdown corner.

Their need for a cover man could be the Achilles heel that keeps them from winning a championship.

We know that general manager Les Snead is not one to sit on his hands to address a need. Snead has a long track record of trading picks for star players. They also happen to have two first-round picks, which could pave the way for the Rams to deal their late first and use the 13th pick they got from the Falcons.

At the same time, Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach isn't afraid to trade away players if they don't want to pay up. McDuffie and the Chiefs attempted to negotiate a new contract ahead of the season, but couldn't come to terms.

McDuffie is an ideal defensive back to anchor a secondary. His ability to play press-man coverage, combined with his positional versatility, is relatively unique.

The Rams have $81.5 million in cap space, meaning they could make the trade for McDuffie, then sign him to a deal that would reset the cornerback market.

That would certainly be a move with ripples across the league for anyone looking to sign or re-sign a cornerback.