Six NFL Players Who Should Get Traded This Offseason but Won't

NFL teams can be both impatient and stubborn. 

Oftentimes, they give up on players too quickly. But sometimes, especially when they've paid them handsomely and still owe them a bunch of cash, they can hold on too long. 

Here are half a dozen examples of players that should be traded now but almost certainly will not be dealt this offseason.

Cleveland Browns Edge Myles Garrett 

AP Photo/Jeff Dean

Myles Garrett

Why it Should Happen: Coming off a Hall of Fame-worthy three-year run that included two Defensive Player of the Year awards, Garrett is at his peak value at age 30 for a team that won't realistically be competitive until he's beyond his prime. It's been a good run, but this is the perfect opportunity for the Browns to fetch a franchise-altering haul for him.

Why it Won't Happen: They didn't when it was an obvious way to cash in on that value and load up on draft capital for the rebuild last year, so it's pretty unlikely they suddenly see the light in 2026. 

Potentially Interested Parties: Contenders who can afford him and need a major piece on defense (think: Commanders, Bengals, Patriots).

Potential Price Tag: In addition to costing about $40 million for the next half-decade, a trade for Garrett right now would probably have to involve multiple first-round draft picks. 

Las Vegas Raiders Edge Maxx Crosby

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

Maxx Crosby

Why it Should Happen: The 28-year-old likely peaked in 2022 and 2023. Now, while he's still one of the best players on the roster, Crosby is essentially holding up what appears to be a long-term rebuild with his $35.5 million average annual salary. The Raiders can save nearly $31 million in salary-cap space by trading him this offseason. 

Why it Won't Happen: Mark Davis might not be ready to give up on the face of the franchise, and the new regime appears committed to keeping him in place. Crosby also signed a hefty three-year contract extension less than a year ago. 

Potentially Interested Parties: Contenders who can afford him and need a major piece on defense (think: Commanders, Bengals, and Patriots again, and we'll throw in the tighter-for-cash Ravens).

Potential Price Tag: He'll make an average of just over $30 million the next four years and would likely fetch a first-round pick or multiple Day 2 selections. 

Pittsburgh Steelers WR DK Metcalf

AP Photo/Rick Osentoski

DK Metcalf

Why it Should Happen: The 28-year-old simply wasn't enough of a difference-maker in his first year with the Steelers, who appear to be generally headed into somewhat of a rebuild as a franchise. A Metcalf trade would save the team $7 million in cap space while landing them considerable draft assets.

Why it Won't Happen: This franchise doesn't often act rashly, and Metcalf cost them draft capital just a year ago. Pittsburgh also signed the two-time Pro Bowler to a lucrative extension as part of the trade with Seattle, so the sunk-cost factor is significant in this case. Plus, they may still bring back Aaron Rodgers and have no other bona fide No. 1 receiver options.

Potentially Interested Parties: The Patriots and Commanders have the cap space as well as the need for another offensive weapon to get them over the top. And you wonder if the Giants might explore bringing in a veteran talent like that as they look to take their budding offense to the next level in 2026.

Potential Price Tag: A second-round draft pick would probably once again do the job.

Minnesota Vikings WR Jordan Addison

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

Jordan Addison

Why it Should Happen: The 24-year-old is a luxury the Vikings don't have beyond his rookie contract. He'll become considerably more expensive in his 2027 option year, and he's had his issues on and off the field. The Vikings might not be inclined to pay for both him and Justin Jefferson, so now would be a good time to get out and shift the focus to Jalen Nailor and others as secondary targets. 

Why it Won't Happen: Same deal about sunk costs. Addison was a first-round pick just a few years ago; he remains cheap on his rookie contract, and the team won't want to risk subtracting support for J.J. McCarthy and/or whoever else might quarterback them in 2026. 

Potentially Interested Parties: Teams with some ability to be patient who could really use a high-ceiling offensive weapon (think: Giants, Browns, Saints, Titans, Commanders, 49ers).

Potential Price Tag: A third-round draft pick.

Green Bay Packers Edge Rashan Gary

AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps

Rashan Gary

Why it Should Happen: Micah Parsons is the man on the edge in Green Bay, and they also have relatively young former first-round pick Lukas Van Ness on the depth chart there. A team that lacks draft capital without a first-round pick could get some back while also saving anywhere between $10 million and $20 million, depending on the timing. Alternatively, trading Van Ness—who has fallen short of expectations—while he wraps up his affordable rookie deal would make sense as a less extreme approach.

Why it Won't Happen: They probably don't trust Van Ness, while Parsons is recovering from a torn ACL. With no first-round pick, a Gary trade might be viewed as too big a risk for the Green Bay front office. He's seasoned but still only 28, and this team considers itself a contender.

Potentially Interested Parties: Contenders with some cap space and the need for a strong No. 2 rusher (think: Chargers, 49ers, Buccaneers).

Potential Price Tag: A Day 2 draft pick. 

San Francisco 49ers QB Mac Jones

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

Mac Jones

Why it Should Happen: They're somewhat understandably committed to Brock Purdy, while Jones essentially maximized his value while excelling under Kyle Shanahan in Purdy's absence in 2025. The 49ers can take advantage of that. Gotta trade one of those signal-callers and tend to needs elsewhere.

Why it Won't Happen: The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported this month that the team does not plan to trade him, and Shanahan said in January he would be "very surprised" if Jones isn't on the team next year.

Potentially Interested Parties: Anyone willing to gamble that Jones will be the next Sam Darnold (think: Vikings, Cardinals, Dolphins, Jets, Steelers, Colts).

Potential Price Tag: A second-round draft pick.