Once again, we’re firing up our mythical trade machine and delivering six trades we’d love to see take place before the NFL’s 4 p.m. Nov. 4 deadline.
We repeat: These are trades we’d love to see because they are high-octane, would move the needle and have significant impacts on the fortunes of teams with championship aspirations. These are not predictions. Just having a little fun.
As you’ll see below, each writer presents three trades they would like to see happen and why. The other counters with why such a deal would not likely happen.
Let’s take a dive.
Mike Jones’ three trade proposals
New Orleans Saints trade RB Alvin Kamara to Kansas City Chiefs for 2026 fourth- and sixth-round picks
Why it makes sense
Jones: Yes, the 30-year-old Kamara has said he wants to be a Saint for life. But the chance to contend for a Super Bowl would give him pause. He boasts the type of versatility that would fit perfectly in an Andy Reid offense. He’d deliver a spark in the run game and some sizzle in the passing attack because of his ability to catch passes out of the backfield or split out wide. Kamara would likely see his yards per carry increase in a Chiefs offense that boasts so many weapons and makes it harder for defenses to key on him.
Why it won’t happen
Jeff Howe: Am I allowed to admit I love this idea? Because this would be great for the Chiefs, and the Saints need to do a better job of recalibrating the books during this rebuild. But I was brought here to be the contrarian, so I’ll say it doesn’t matter who’s running it for the Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes can be their best rusher as long as there are enough complementary carries from everyone else. And if the Chiefs have found their groove the way it’s been appearing, they should use those draft picks on players at premium positions while bargain shopping for a running back.
Miami Dolphins trade edge rusher Bradley Chubb to the Philadelphia Eagles for a 2026 third-round pick
Why it makes sense
Jones: The Eagles have needed pass-rushing help since they lost Josh Sweat in free agency, and that need intensified after Za’Darius Smith’s retirement announcement. Chubb, who missed last season while recovering from ACL repair surgery, is off to a strong start this season, recording four sacks. Pair him with a front that includes stud linemen such as Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter and reunite him with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, and Chubb should make an instant impact.
Why it won’t happen
Howe: If the Dolphins go full tank, it would probably signify the end of the regime in some capacity. But they started 2-6 in 2024 before finishing 8-9, so Mike McDaniel has seen recent evidence of his team getting hot in the second half. And if he’s still on the job by the trade deadline, I can’t imagine McDaniel being keen on the idea of giving away one of his most talented defensive players.
Bradley Chubb, right, could provide pass-rush help to the Eagles. (Gregory Fisher / Imagn Images)
New Orleans Saints trade LB Demario Davis to San Francisco 49ers for a 2026 fifth-round pick
Why it makes sense
Jones: The 49ers badly need defensive playmakers after the loss of leading tackler Fred Warner and pass rusher Nick Bosa, and the veteran Davis would help fill that need at the heart of Robert Saleh’s defense. Although 36, Davis remains highly productive, ranking among the NFL’s leading tacklers (51) and also has five for a loss (tied for first). His extensive experience would enable him to quickly adapt to Saleh’s scheme and help San Francisco remain in contention.
Why it won’t happen
Howe: Yeah, this is another good one with no logical flaws that I can see, but I’ll turn heel here. Do the Niners really want to spend more draft capital on an aging player after dealing with ongoing injury issues with more stars? The Niners need to fortify the middle class of their roster by drafting and developing. A 36-year-old won’t help that mission.
Jeff Howe’s three trade proposals
San Francisco 49ers trade QB Mac Jones and a 2026 fifth-round pick to Minnesota Vikings for a 2026 third-rounder and a 2027 conditional third-rounder (becomes a second-rounder if Jones makes 17 total starts with the Vikings between 2025 and 2026)
Why it makes sense
Howe: Jones has been a very good backup this season, and he’s shown enough to jump to the top of the line among QB reclamation projects. But since Jones is playing well in place of Brock Purdy, who is becoming more of an injury risk, the Niners won’t give him away when they’ve got him signed through 2027. The Vikings don’t need to give up on 2024 first-rounder J.J. McCarthy, but they also don’t want to sacrifice a roster that’s able to make a playoff push. Jones is having even more success than Sam Darnold had in San Francisco before his stock took off with the Vikings. Jones might be able to replicate that success.
Why it won’t happen
Jones: The Purdy injury situation is far too precarious for the 49ers to part with Jones. Purdy is telling people he has no idea when his turf toe injury will be fully healed, and so Kyle Shanahan will not want to roll the dice and let John Lynch trade Jones away and risk blowing their chance to contend for a playoff berth even with Purdy injured. Shanahan has been a Jones fan for a while, and that’s why they signed him to a two-year deal. He would have to feel rock-solid confident that Purdy was fully healed and receive more handsome compensation to part with Jones.
Atlanta Falcons trade TE Kyle Pitts to Kansas City Chiefs for a 2026 fifth-round pick
Why it makes sense
Howe: The Falcons have previously been open to trading Pitts, who will be a free agent after this season. Though they might not be considered sellers at the deadline, it’d be prudent to flip Pitts for an asset. The Chiefs, meanwhile, aren’t afraid to add marquee names to their offense at any point in the season, and Pitts could be a terrific fit. He’s a move tight end like Travis Kelce, who appears to be closing in on the end of his career, so the Chiefs could prepare Pitts to be his successor. They’d still need to extend Pitts after the season, assuming the sides like the fit, but the draft compensation won’t bind them to the idea if it’s a flop.
Why it won’t happen
Jones: This is actually a good move. If there’s anyone capable of helping Pitts fully tap into his full potential as an NFL playmaker, it’s Andy Reid. But, given the limited number of reliable assets the Falcons have for Michael Penix Jr. to go to, I think they’ll hold on to Pitts, hoping he can build on Sunday night’s season-high seven-catch outing and form a strong trio along with Drake London and Bijan Robinson.
Kyle Pitts could flourish in an Andy Reid offense in Kansas City. (Darren Yamashita / Imagn Images)
Dallas Cowboys acquire DE Trey Hendrickson from Cincinnati Bengals for a 2026 first-round pick (Green Bay Packers) and a 2026 fourth-rounder; acquire DL Cam Jordan from New Orleans Saints for a 2027 fourth-rounder
Why it makes sense
Howe: OK, let’s have some fun here. As soon as the Cowboys traded Micah Parsons for a pair of first-round picks, Jerry Jones floated the idea of using some of that capital on a current player. Well, the Cowboys are desperate for help on defense and can make a swing for Henderson, who is coming off back-to-back 17.5-sack seasons. Jordan is on the back end of his career and isn’t nearly as productive anymore, but he would provide enough punch and leadership up front to make an impact. Quarterback Dak Prescott has been rolling this season, so the Cowboys need to back him up with defensive reinforcements.
Why it won’t happen
Jones: With the Cowboys having improved to 3-3-1 and moved into second place in the NFC East, this would make a lot of sense, and it feels like an aggressive “I knew what I was doing all along” Jerry-style move. But … the only thing that will keep Jones from doing this is the fact Hendrickson is 31 and has no years left on his contract after this season. The fear of having to open up the checkbook and break the bank once again will scare him into standing pat, even though this is the type of move the Cowboys need to help elevate this team and lighten Prescott’s load.
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