THE trade deadline for the 2026/27 National Football League (NFL) was the afternoon of November 10, at 4:00 pm, and like all past seasons, it is difficult to identify which teams truly benefited from the trades, as those grades will be earned anywhere from the next few months to the next two or three seasons.

There were 110 total trades this season, the most in a season since at least 1990, which included 18 in-season trades (tied for the fourth-most in the last 35 years), and six players who were traded on Tuesday (tied for the fourth-most on a single day in the last 35 years).

That said, a few obvious winners (and losers) can be immediately identified, but most will not be realised in the short term. From a team perspective, arguably the biggest loser is the Los Angeles Chargers (0-8) who, as the 2026 deadline neared on Tuesday, reportedly considered dealing some of their expiring contracts: Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu, Dalvin Tomlinson, Donte Jackson, and Daiyan Henley. Of all their options, they ended up making a rare decision, moving Henley to a division rival, the Denver Broncos, and despite his inconsistent play in the past year, he is a good coverage linebacker in a pass-happy league. It is alarming to see a team that had high expectations entering the season, limping into Week 10 as the only winless team in the league and didn’t recognize the need for a teardown and overhaul. The Chargers travel as JustBet underdogs to try and get their first win against the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night and it should be an uphill battle – a 0-9 record is expected.

Individually, running back Jonathan Taylor reportedly received interest from around the NFL but the struggling Indianapolis Colts (2-7) passed on all deals, apparently in the hope of bigger returns. Taylor, who turns 28 in January, is nearing the age cliff but is still one of the top rushers in the league and would reasonably thrive in a better offence. His opportunity to move may come next season but for now, he is stalled in a team with no real purpose or intention. The Colts invite the Miami Dolphins (1-7) into Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, where they should register an uptick in the win column.

At the winning end of the deadline, quarterback Kirk Cousins came out on top, individually, and will return to the Minnesota Vikings, following Tuesday’s trade. The veteran 38-year-old play-caller started nine games for the Las Vegas Raiders (4-5), who now have the opportunity to unleash their 2026 No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza. Cousins spent six seasons with the Vikings from 2018 to 2023, registering a 50-37-1 record as a starter and rejoins a 6-2 team that desperately needs to do more on offense to make them a bona fide title contender. The quarterback’s last two seasons in Minnesota were spent under head coach Kevin O’Connell, and the Vikings went 13-4 in 2022 with Cousins under centre before he tore an Achilles midway through the 2023 season in a match-up against the Green Bay Packers, on Lambeau Field. Incidentally, the Vikings visit the Packers this Sunday, but it is unclear if Cousins will be ready to start by this weekend.

In the same vein, Minnesota’s wide receiver, Justin Jefferson, will be happy for Cousins’ return. Since the start of the 2022 season, Jefferson averaged a catch rate of 70 per cent and averaged 103.5 yards per game when Cousins targets him with the football. This season, he is at a 30 per cent target share, with 56.1 yards per game. A significant drop in production. However, the NFC North division boasts the best record in football

From a team perspective, the Jacksonville Jaguars, San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, and Buffalo Bills lead the pack. The Jaguars (6-2) have been one of the most consistent teams in the NFL this season and have bolstered their high-ranking defense with two defensive tackles, Jordan Davis from the Philadelphia Eagles and Davon Godchaux from the New Orleans Saints, and safety Jessie Bates III from the Atlanta Falcons. Along with their top four scoring offence, they should be charged up for their encounter with the New York Giants next week Sunday, following their bye this week.

The 49ers (7-1) are having a phenomenal season, despite not having (or losing) critical components in their receiving core. The laundry list of receivers includes, Ricky Pearsall (out for the season), Christian Kirk (injured reserve), Mike Evans (week to week), and Deebo Samuel Sr (week to week). San Francisco signed Keenan Allen from the Indianapolis Colts to shore up the devastated receiver group for quarterback Brock Purdy. The 34-year-old Allen was the leading receiver in Indianapolis on a per-game basis, so he clearly still has something to give in the latter stages of his career. The 49ers visit AT&T Stadium on Sunday afternoon to tackle the bumbling Dallas Cowboys and should improve their record.

The Chiefs (6-2) are struggling with inconsistency on offence and have turned to wide receiver Josh Downs for immediate assistance. The 25-year-old has since thanked the Colts who picked him in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He had 231 catches for 10.8 yards per and 12 touchdowns in Indianapolis but now leaves an offense that is 31st in Expected Points Added (EPA) per dropback and 32nd in explosive pass rate to an offense that ranks eighth in EPA per dropback and seventh in explosive pass rate. He also moves from quarterback Daniel Jones to Patrick Mahomes, who throws more screens and quick passes, which will suit Downs’ separation ability from the slot. The Chiefs travel to Atlanta to face the Falcons this weekend and hope that Downs will be able to assist in the effort. The Chiefs should win, but the Falcons should provide strong resiatance.

The Bills (7-1) have been another picture of consistency in the first half of the season and have acquired safety Amani Hooker from the Tennessee Titans. The 28-year-old is tied for the league lead in interceptions and already has five takeaways for the second time in three years. For a Bills team that scores at will and just needs its defense to hold strain, Hooker’s arrival should make things more manageable. There was a gap in the safety position after the Bills released CJ Gardner-Johnson, but they filled it in a major way. Not sure if Hooker will make his Bills debut this Sunday, but they travel to take on the New York Jets early Sunday and should face only slight resistance.

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Super Bowl LXI Champion – February 14, 2027

Team Odds

Buffalo Bills 6.50

San Francisco 49ers 7.00

Chicago Bears 9.00

Kansas City Chiefs 10.00

Jacksonville Jaguars 10.00

Los Angeles Rams 12.00

Seattle Seahawks 14.00

Cincinnati Bengals 17.00

Denver Broncos 18.00

Detroit Lions 18.00

*Only Top 10 odds are shown (see website for full list)

Note: Odds are subject to change