NFL Trade Deadline 2025: What Happens at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday?

The 2025 NFL trade deadline is officially set for Tuesday, November 4, at 4 p.m. Eastern Time — a moment that marks one of the most intense hours of the football calendar. Once the clock hits 4 p.m., teams across the league can no longer trade players until the next offseason. All eyes will be on general managers and front offices racing to file their paperwork before the deadline strikes.

The league’s trade cutoff has always been a critical turning point. Contenders look to make that one final move to boost their playoff chances, while struggling teams aim to offload contracts and gather draft capital. Once the deadline passes, the shape of the season becomes clearer, as teams must now move forward with the rosters they have.

How the NFL Trade Deadline Works

The trade deadline is the last day teams can officially execute trades. Every agreement must be finalized and sent to the NFL office by 4 p.m. ET. Even if two sides agree verbally or via email, the trade does not count unless the paperwork arrives on time. The league enforces this deadline strictly — a single late submission can nullify an entire deal.

This has happened before in NFL history, where teams believed they had completed trades, only for the deals to be voided due to missed deadlines. The rule ensures fairness and consistency, preventing teams from negotiating after the cutoff or attempting to extend discussions once the window closes.

After the trade deadline, the league enters what’s known as the “waiver period.” During this time, vested veterans — players with at least four accrued seasons — must go through waivers if they are released. That means any team can claim them based on the current waiver order, which favors teams with worse records. Before the deadline, those players could become instant free agents if released; after it, the rules change.

Final 24 Hours: Front Offices on the Clock

In the hours leading up to 4 p.m. ET, phones buzz constantly across NFL headquarters. General managers and agents are in near-constant contact, weighing last-minute offers and discussing potential salary swaps. Contenders, especially those dealing with injuries or thin depth charts, are often aggressive on deadline day.

Teams can also restructure contracts before the deadline to make trades possible. The league treats contract adjustments and trades as separate transactions — and since a team can only process one transaction per player per day, most cap-related moves happen on Monday. Tuesday is purely about completing and filing the trade paperwork.

By Tuesday afternoon, league offices are flooded with last-minute filings. Once the deadline passes, the focus shifts to free-agent signings and waiver claims. No further player trades can occur until the new league year begins in March 2026.

In short, when the clock hits 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, the NFL trade window closes. Teams can no longer make trades, veterans are now subject to waivers, and every roster begins its final march toward the postseason with what it has on hand.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What is the exact time of the NFL trade deadline 2025?

The deadline is Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at 4 p.m. Eastern Time. Teams must submit all paperwork before that time.

Q2: Can trades still be announced after 4 p.m. ET?

Yes, but only if the NFL received the trade paperwork before the deadline. If submitted late, the deal will not count.

Q3: What changes after the deadline?

Trades are no longer allowed. Veterans released afterward are subject to the waiver process, while free-agent signings remain legal.

Q4: Which teams are expected to make moves before the deadline?

Contending teams often look for roster depth, while rebuilding teams seek to trade veterans for future draft picks.

Q5: What happens if teams miss the deadline?

If paperwork arrives even a few seconds late, the trade is void. The player remains on their current team for the rest of the season.

Disclaimer: This article is based on the official NFL calendar and verified media reporting as of November 2025. Any subsequent league changes or extensions will be updated accordingly.