Sportsnaut
The 2026 NFL trade deadline isn’t until Nov. 10, at a point in the upcoming regular season where teams should have a decent feel about where they stand. While we likely won’t see any blockbuster trades this summer, there are still a few high-profile NFL players who could be dealt.
Let’s take a look at some high-profile NFL trade candidates who could be dealt ahead of the regular season.
The San Francisco 49ers would certainly prefer to keep Mac Jones through the 2026 NFL season. Jones, the former first-round pick, has the complete trust of head coach Kyle Shanahan and it’s easy to see why after he posted a 5–3 record with a 13–6 TD–INT line and a 97.4 QB rating operating in relief of Brock Purdy last season. Purdy does have a history of injuries and a great backup quarterback is one of the most valuable things in the NFL. With that said, quarterback injuries can happen during training camp and the preseason. Jones is the best option for quarterback-needy teams. If desperation strikes, maybe a club is willing to offer that Day 2 pick for a full season of Jones that San Francisco would require.
There are tiers with the quarterbacks on our NFL trade candidates list this summer. Mac Jones is the one teams would want to start for them this fall. There isn’t a single club in the entire league that would feel comfortable turning to Anthony Richardson to start multiple games in 2026. That’s naturally because the former fourth overall pick has a career 50.6 percent completion rate with an 11–13 TD–INT line, 21 sacks taken and a 67.8 passer rating in 17 games. With that said, his physical tools are still enticing and there are multiple coaches around the NFL who would presumably love to bring him in as a developmental project, à la what the Green Bay Packers did with Malik Willis in 2024. The difference, which matters, is that Richardson is on an expiring deal. As for the Indianapolis Colts‘ perspective, Daniel Jones is a full-go coming off an Achilles repair and head coach Shane Steichen clearly has enough confidence in Riley Leonard to make him the backup or a fill-in starter if necessary.
There’s a risk with trading for Alvin Kamara. That, of course, being that the New Orleans Saints running back has threatened to retire if he gets dealt. We can’t help but wonder, though, if his feelings might change midway through training camp if the right opportunity arises. After all, the Saints are set at the position with Travis Etienne Jr., Devin Neal and Kendre Miller. While New Orleans has a shot at winning the NFC South in 2026, anything is on the table in that division, and competing for a Super Bowl is out of the question. Perhaps the right team where he would feel comfortable (Denver Broncos...
