When Is the NFL Trade Deadline: Everything We Know So Far

The 2025 NFL trade deadline is officially set for Tuesday, November 4 at 4:00 p.m. ET. This marks the final window for teams to make trades before the league freezes transactions for the remainder of the season. After this time, no official deals can be completed until the new league year begins in March 2026.

The deadline falls just after Week 9 of the regular season, following a decision by team owners last year to move it back by one week. The change gives front offices more time to evaluate their rosters and decide whether to pursue reinforcements or offload veterans for future draft picks.

Key Details About the NFL Trade Deadline

All trades must be submitted to the NFL office by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The league will not process any deals after that deadline. Teams on the West Coast, such as the Rams, 49ers, and Seahawks, must therefore complete negotiations by 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time.

The trade deadline is often one of the busiest days of the NFL season. It’s when contenders push to strengthen their lineups for playoff runs, while struggling teams look to gain future assets. This year, a handful of significant trades have already reshaped the market — including the Eagles’ acquisition of edge rusher Jaelan Phillips from the Dolphins.

Other rumored moves include potential offers for players like Trey Hendrickson of the Bengals and various defensive backs from rebuilding teams. However, not every franchise is expected to make a splash. Some teams are choosing to stand pat and focus on internal player development rather than chasing a short-term fix.

How the Trade Deadline Affects Teams and Fans

For playoff hopefuls, the trade deadline represents one last opportunity to close gaps on the roster. Front offices are under intense pressure to decide if they should “buy” and chase postseason success, or “sell” and prioritize the future. Every transaction can have major consequences for salary cap balance, team chemistry, and long-term competitiveness.

For fans, the lead-up to the deadline is a frenzy of news, rumors, and speculation. Sports networks and insiders track every potential deal, and social media lights up with debates over which team “won” or “lost” each trade. This year’s market, however, has been quieter than usual due to limited sellers and a high demand for top players.

Analysts expect that activity could still spike in the final 24 hours before the deadline, as injuries and Week 9 results force general managers to react quickly. Whether it’s a blockbuster or a depth move, each deal before 4 p.m. ET on November 4 could reshape the playoff landscape.

In summary, the 2025 NFL trade deadline is set for November 4 at 4 p.m. ET — and the final hours before the cutoff could define the rest of the season for several teams across the league.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: When exactly is the 2025 NFL trade deadline?

The NFL trade deadline takes place on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Q2: Why was the deadline moved to after Week 9?

The league’s owners voted in 2024 to push the deadline back one week, giving teams more time to evaluate their playoff chances before deciding on trades.

Q3: Can trades happen after the deadline?

No. Once the 4 p.m. ET deadline passes, teams cannot officially trade players until the new league year begins in March.

Q4: What happens to players after the deadline?

Teams can still release or sign free agents, but they cannot trade players between franchises. Waiver and practice squad rules continue to apply.

Q5: Which teams are expected to be active before the deadline?

Contending teams like the Eagles, 49ers, and Ravens are expected to explore last-minute upgrades, while rebuilding teams such as the Titans and Patriots could look to sell.