NFL Insider Says 'All Hell Is Going to Break Loose' amid Rumors Ahead of Trade Deadline

NFL general managers are reportedly anticipating an active trade deadline after some major October moves.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported Thursday that "after talking to several NFL teams and GMs over the last hour, my expectation is the trade deadline will be even crazier than anticipated."

According to Schultz, one source told him: "All hell is going to break loose over the next week and a half. Get your popcorn ready."

Schultz predicted the Chicago Bears' decision to give up two first-round picks to acquire Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee Titans "will cause other teams to react and try to be bold as well."

Simmons is the latest major name to move ahead of the Nov. 10 deadline following the Indianapolis Colts' decision to trade guard Quenton Nelson and defensive lineman DeForest Buckner.

The Seattle Seahawks gave up a 2027 third-round pick and 2028 fifth-rounder to acquire Nelson, while the San Francisco 49ers shipped out a 2027 fourth-rounder in order to grab Buckner.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported there have been 18 trades between Oct. 1 and the trade deadline in each of the last two years.

The 2026 lead-up to the deadline could exceed that trend. The Dallas Cowboys' trade for Joey Porter Jr., the Baltimore Ravens' acquisition of Cam Jurgens and the Houston Texans' deal for Marvin Harrison Jr. mean there have already been six deals made since the start of the month.

Last year, it was the New York Jets making a splash at the deadline by trading Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner. This year it could be both the Titans (1-6) and Colts (2-5) making more moves ahead of the deadline.

Titans safety Amani Hooker joins Colts running back Jonathan Taylor and wide receiver Josh Downs on Bleacher Report's trade block big board heading into Week 8.

The Los Angeles Chargers (0-6) are another likely seller, which is why edge rusher Khalil Mack currently sits at the top of the B/R big board.

Other top B/R trade candidates include Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., Arizona Cardinals edge rusher Josh Sweat, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jauan Jennings and Miami Dolphins defensive lineman Zach Sieler as well as Philadelphia Eagles guard Landon Dickerson and defensive tackle Moro Ojomo.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler recently named Tampa Bay Buccaneers edge rusher Yaya Diaby, Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne, Eagles cornerback Riq Woolen and Cardinals safety Budda Baker as other potential trade candidates ahead of the deadline.

How Week 8 plays out will impact some potential sellers that could be still on the fence as to which direction to take at the deadline. The Buccaneers, for example, will see their NFL Next Gen Stats playoff odds jump to 30 percent with a Sunday win over the visiting Atlanta Falcons but plummet to just 11 percent with a loss.