Projecting NFL Fire Sales for the League's Worst Teams Ahead of the 2026 Trade Deadline

Not that long ago, trades were a relative rarity in the NFL. But the times they are a-changin', and more and more NFL clubs are willing to play Let's Make a Deal— including during the season.

We saw a significant deal go down recently, with the Arizona Cardinals sending wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Houston Texans for a package headlined by a second-round selection in next year's draft.

With the trade deadline looming on November 10, we are likely to see even more deals struck over the next few weeks.

Most teams likely to trade away players and accumulate draft picks are franchises that have struggled this year—teams racking up losses and already looking toward the future.

There is no shortage of teams that fit that description after five weeks of the season—and a long list of players could be on the move before the trade deadline.

There isn't a more disappointing team in the NFL right now than the Los Angeles Chargers. They were expected to contend for an AFC West title in 2026. Instead, the Bolts are winless and the offense has imploded.

However, while there could be big changes coming soon for the Bolts, ESPN's Adam Schefter was quick to shoot down the idea that the Chargers could well and truly blow things up and trade quarterback Justin Herbert.

"The person basically cut me off mid-sentence," Schefter said , "stopped me in my tracks, and said, 'Let me be very clear about this. We have never even discussed that idea. The sentence should we trade Justin Herbert has never once been uttered in our organization, nor will it be.'"

The Chargers may be unwilling to deal Herbert, but there are other potential assets that could be moved. Wide receiver Quentin Johnston has been inconsistent, but he's a talented young pass-catcher whose exercised fifth-year option keeps him under contract through 2027.

Edge-rusher Tuli Tuipulotu is in a contract year, but he's just 24 and coming off a 13-sack season. Safety Derwin James Jr. has long been considered one of the best in the league at his position. Edge-rusher Khalil Mack could garner a Day 3 pick as a temporary fix for teams looking to upgrade the pass rush.

The biggest obstacle may be whether Los Angeles views its current struggles as grounds to sell at the deadline. As ESPN's Jeremy Fowler noted , one NFL executive said, "'I think it's going to be really difficult for them to admit when and if they need to trade guys.'"

After the New Orleans Saints started the season with a close loss to the Lions and a win over the Baltimore Ravens, it appeared there may be something brewing in the Big Easy.

Three losses later, the Saints are sitting at 1-4 and team owner Gayle Benson isn't happy.

"That is not acceptable to me," she said, via NOLA.com's Rod Walker . "And it falls short of what our fans truly deserve. I hear the frustration directed towards our team and our organization. It is not lost on me. Our fans invest their time and their hearts in the Saints. They are right to expect more than we have delivered."

It certainly appears the Saints are headed toward a sixth straight season of missing the playoffs. The problem in New Orleans is that even if the team wanted to sell at the deadline, there aren't many assets the team would be willing to part with that could bring a return.

Veteran edge-rusher Cameron Jordan might be amenable to ending his career with a playoff run, but the 37-year-old won't net more than a late-round pick.

With rookie Jeremiah Wright on the roster, the team could move veteran guard Cesar Ruiz, who was the subject of trade speculation earlier in the offseason. Juwan Johnson could generate some interest, too—he is fifth among tight ends in receptions and seventh in receiving yards.

A fire sale remains unlikely given general manager Mickey Loomis' reluctance to undertake a full rebuild, but it's still possible.

Given the Houston Texans just dealt a second-rounder to the Arizona Cardinals for wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., the team doesn't appear to be willing to throw in the towel on the 2026 season—yet.

That could change as early as next week if they lose in London, but for now no fire sale is looming.

However, as bad as things are going in Houston, they are that much worse for the winless Titans, who look completely lost on offense.

Carter Bahns of CBS Sports expects Tennessee to already be looking forward to 2027 and potentially selling off veteran assets at the trade deadline:

"If a Titans breakthrough comes during the Robert Saleh era, it does not appear it will happen in Year 1. This franchise is still stuck in rebuild mode and needs to acquire as much draft capital as possible to round out its core of Cam Ward and Carnell Tate with more young prospects. That means cutting bait on what already looks like a lost season, parting with the tradeable veterans, hoping that Ward shows signs of improvement in the second half of the year and making good use of what should be another early first-round pick in 2027."

Defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons is the Titans' most valuable trade chip, but the team could be reluctant to part with their best defensive player. Edge-rusher Jermaine Johnson, who is slated to hit free agency next spring, is another matter.

On offense, veteran wide receiver Calvin Ridley has struggled to make an impact in Tennessee, but he was a 1,000-yard receiver as recently as two years ago. Tony Pollard is a capable veteran back who could appeal to a team with injury issues in the backfield.

If those veterans are unlikely to remain through the rebuild, Tennessee could consider moving them now to add draft capital.

Much like the Los Angeles Chargers, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered the 2026 season with postseason aspirations. Those hopes remain alive in a weak NFC South, but Tampa Bay didn't record its first win until last week, and a playoff berth appears unlikely.

If history is any indication, a fire sale isn't likely either. Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht has been on the job for well over a decade in Tampa, and you can count the number of in-season deals he has made (buying or selling) with one hand and still have fingers left over.

If the Buccaneers remain well below .500 when the deadline arrives, Licht may decide to buck historical precedent and try to jump-start a rebound year in 2027.

If so, there are assets for the GM to work with on both sides of the ball.

On defense, tackle A'Shawn Robinson, edge-rusher Yaya Diaby and cornerback Zyon McCollum could all generate interest. The first two are in contract years. The third is in the first year of an extension that pays him a relatively reasonable $16 million a season.

On offense, veteran wideout Chris Godwin isn't the player he once was, but the 30-year-old posted three straight 1,000-yard seasons from 2021 to 2023 and could be enticing for a playoff contender thin at wide receiver.

McCollum may be the only player on that list who remains on Tampa Bay's roster in 2027. If the Buccaneers don't view those veterans as part of their long-term plans, trading them now could provide additional draft capital.

There were no postseason aspirations in Miami this year. In fact, if the team dumps veteran talent at the trade deadline, it will mark the second fire sale of 2026—the Dolphins already purged vets like wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and edge-rusher Bradley Chubb in the spring.

Expectations were low for Miami, but its winless start has been particularly discouraging. There's a non-zero chance the Dolphins won't win a game this season.

Despite that, first-year head coach Jeff Hafley told reporters what he wants to see from his team.

"I want to see more consistency. I want to see better execution," he said. "I want to see the same fight. I want to see the same energy. I want to see the same connection."

Miami remains in the early stages of a substantial rebuild, so adding draft picks would be a sensible move, particularly by trading players on expiring contracts who are unlikely to return.

That's the case with both offensive tackle Austin Jackson and edge-rusher Josh Uche. Jackson has struggled this year, but experienced players at his position will always be in demand, if only as a one-year rental.

Defensively, Jordyn Brooks' new contract makes him difficult to deal, but given the play of rookie linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, it's at least worth considering. Defensive tackle Zach Sieler isn't owed any guaranteed money after 2026, so the ninth-year veteran may be the most valuable trade commodity the Dolphins have.

Miami appears to be facing a multiyear rebuild, which could make veterans outside its long-term plans logical trade candidates.

The Arizona Cardinals were in some ways the genesis of this column, with their trade of wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Houston Texans. But that doesn't mean the Redbirds are done selling.

Per Daniel Popper of The Athletic , there are multiple veterans on defense who could be sent packing in the next few weeks:

"The Cardinals already sold by trading away Harrison, and they could sell again before the deadline. Arizona has lost four straight games after beating the Chargers in the opener. On Sunday, they gave up 45 points to the Detroit Lions. Coach Mike LaFleur is in his first season. The Cardinals have some building to do with their roster. They should be in the market for future picks. Edge-rusher Baron Browning is on an expiring deal."

Sweat signed a four-year deal with the Cardinals in free agency in 2025. According to Popper, trading him would carry a substantial dead-money charge in 2027.

Browning and Sweat aren't the only veterans who could be available, especially on defense. Teams could have interest in former first-round pick Zaven Collins.

There would definitely be interest from playoff contenders in veteran safety Budda Baker, who has been named to the Pro Bowl after each of the last seven seasons.

At this stage of his career, a trade could give the 30-year-old an opportunity to join a contender after spending his entire 10-year career in Arizona.

The Cardinals' current struggles and roster needs could make acquiring future picks a priority.