10 NFL Players Their Teams Quietly Want To Trade
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
The 2026 NFL offseason has seen a lot of insane free-agent signings, draft selections, and wild trades as we wait for the season to kick off on September 9th.
We’ve seen guys like reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett get traded to the Los Angeles Rams, A. J. Brown get traded to the New England Patriots, and Dexter Lawrence get traded to the Cincinnati Bengals before the 2026 NFL Draft.
There’s still time for some more jaw-dropping offseason moves to occur, but there are guys on NFL rosters that teams quietly want to trade to other teams before or during the 2026 regular season.
Teams will shop around, explore the market, and assess the options available to make the trade viable for both parties.
Here at TPS, we’re going to look at a few guys NFL teams want to quietly trade away before or during the 2026 season.
Which NFL players are secretly wanted to be traded by their teams?
Brandon Aiyuk
Aiyuk has made headlines for a lot of bizarre reasons, as his relationship with the organization collapsed.
Aiyuk suffered a severe knee injury, missed the entire 2025 season to recover, and refused to attend mandatory check-ins, resulting in the 49ers voiding $27 million in his future guarantees.
He is currently on the reserve/left squad list and wants to be traded to the Washington Commanders and reunite with Jayden Daniels, his former Arizona State teammate.
Getting Aiyuk traded would help the 49ers save $20 million in cap space and have been aggressively retooling their roster for the upcoming 2026 NFL season.
However, trading Aiyuk might become more difficult, as an arrest warrant was issued for a 2025 traffic violation.
General Manager John Lynch attempted to trade Aiyuk in the spring, but nothing came through.
On top of that, rival NFL executives said that Aiyuk is untradeable, but the 49ers must find a trading partner who’ll take Aiyuk and revive his career.
Anthony Richardson
(Image credits: Imagn)
After signing Daniel Jones to a two-year, $88 million extension during the 2026 NFL offseason, Anthony Richardson requested a trade out of Indianapolis, but continues to show up to OTAs while waiting for said trade to happen.
The Colts should trade Richardson sooner rather than later, as he’s struggled to find his offensive identity with the team for the past two seasons. Not to mention the Colts declined the fifth-year option of his contract, making him a free agent after the 2026 season.
Potential landing spots for Richardson include the Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings, or Detroit Lions, as those teams could use a veteran presence backing up their respective starters.
A team that would truly benefit from Richardson would be the Lions, as head coach Dan Campbell knows how to get the best out of his players, and he would learn a lot from Jared Goff and earn a fresh start in the Motor City.
However, other teams don’t want to make a move on Richardson yet because of the Colts’ asking price, which is a mid-round draft pick or an equivalent player swap.
As of now, Richardson remains a backup to Daniel Jones and will be ready for action, whether he gets traded or not.
Maxx Crosby
As everyone knows, Crosby was originally supposed to get traded to the Baltimore Ravens for their 2026 and 2027 first-round picks, but the trade was voided when Crosby failed his physical.
The Raiders are still in rebuild mode and could potentially still trade Crosby later down the road, whether it’s before or during the regular season.
A couple of teams that could make a move for Crosby include the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, and San Francisco 49ers.
Having Crosby on the Eagles would cause nightmares for the NFC East and get them closer to potentially returning to the Super Bowl.
Crosby on the Cowboys would strengthen their defense, and he would have an immediate impact against opposing competition. Not to mention, it would improve their chances of returning to the playoffs.
However, Crosby on the 49ers would see immediate results, as he and Nick Bosa would cause havoc and disrupt the Los Angeles Rams’ and Seattle Seahawks’ chances of potentially winning the NFC West.
Even though Crosby has committed himself to the Raiders for now, don’t be surprised if they quietly trade him to one of the teams we mentioned above or someone else before or during the NFL season.
Alvin Kamara
Although Kamara wants to finish his playing career with the Saints, rumors are circulating that the team may look to trade him after acquiring Travis Etienne Jr. in free agency.
Etienne Jr. is likely going to be the Saints’ main running back entering the 2026 season, while Kamara has a smaller complementary role on offense.
The Saints could quietly trade Kamara to a title contender before or during the regular season, as he still can produce at an elite level, but hasn’t had a 1,000-yard season on the ground.
Kamara will be 31 by kickoff in week one, and he’s coming off the statistical worst season of his career, averaging 3.6 yards per carry, rushing for 471 yards on 131 carries, and scoring one touchdown in 2025.
Trading Kamara quietly would help reset the Saints’ backfield, as they look to focus more of their attention on developing an offensive scheme around Etienne Jr.
Kamara would be a great fit for teams like the Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, or Buffalo Bills, as each of these teams has offensive-minded coaches who’ll get the best out of him for the 2026 season.
The best team out of those three to trade Kamara to is the Denver Broncos, as head coach Sean Payton would make him into a winner in the “Mile High City.”
What are you waiting for, Saints? Please make it happen.
Keon Coleman
Coleman was the subject of trade rumors during the 2026 NFL offseason, but Bills general manager Brandon Beane shut them down.
Coleman’s on-field production in Western New York has been average so far, but he’s had a slight downturn during the 2025 season, catching 38 receptions for 404 yards and scoring four touchdowns, but he lost a fumble.
He has failed to become the number one wide receiver for Josh Allen to work with on offense so far, and has struggled to separate from opposing defenders.
The Bills’ trade for D. J. Moore puts pressure on Coleman to step it up during the 2026 season.
If Coleman can’t step it up, the Bills should reopen trade talks and get a better player in return for him or load up on more draft picks.
Teams the Bills should consider trading Coleman to include the Baltimore Ravens, Las Vegas Raiders, or Washington Commanders.
The Raiders and Commanders have young, talented quarterbacks for Coleman to work with, while the Ravens have a championship-caliber offense for him to work with and two-time MVP Lamar Jackson to catch passes from.
If Coleman continues to struggle, trading him to give him a fresh start would be ideal for the third-year passcatcher.
Brian Thomas Jr.
After an incredible rookie season in 2024, Brian Thomas Jr.’s stats took a dip in 2025, as he caught 48 receptions for 707 yards, scored two touchdowns, rushed for 21 yards on three carries, and scored a rushing touchdown, even in head coach Liam Coen’s offense.
Thomas Jr. is also dealing with a crowded receiver room, which includes Parker Washington (who had a breakout season in 2025), Jakobi Meyers, two-way starter Travis Hunter, and tight end Brenton Strange.
The front office will see if Thomas Jr. can rebound in the 2026 NFL season, but if he shows more decline in his production, they will quietly try to trade him.
Teams the Saints should consider trading Thomas Jr. to include the New York Jets, Washington Commanders, and the New Orleans Saints, as each team has an offense looking to rebound in the 2026 season.
The Saints would be a great fit for Thomas Jr., as he would work with head coach Kellen Moore and have Tyler Shough throwing him passes. Not to mention, the Jaguars could trade him for Alvin Kamara and a draft pick or two since they need a running back.
The Jets would be another great option for the Jaguars to quietly trade Thomas Jr. to, as he would pair nicely with Garrett Wilson in the passing attack and form good on-field chemistry with Geno Smith or whoever the Jets have under center.
Moving Thomas Jr. sooner rather than later would also give the Jaguars some much-needed room for the upcoming 2027 NFL Draft as well. Let’s see what they’ll do before or during the regular season.
Spencer Rattler
Going back to the Saints, the team has shown its full commitment to Tyler Shough and will likely make him their starting quarterback for the 2026 season.
Rattler slightly improved in the 2025 season, but only earned one win as a starter, as he completed 174 passes for 1,586 yards and threw eight touchdowns against five interceptions.
Not to mention, the Saints signed Zach Wilson to a backup role for the upcoming 2026 season, making Rattler an expendable luxury.
The Saints could peacefully trade Rattler to teams like the Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Rams, or New York Jets for a fresh start.
Rattler would have to accept backup roles with the Broncos and Rams, as both rosters feature championship-caliber quarterbacks in Bo Nix and Matthew Stafford, respectively. However, Rattler could get some time on the field, thanks to head coach Sean Payton’s strong connection to the Saints.
As for the Jets, Rattler could have a better chance of starting for them if Geno Smith struggles or gets hurt. It would be incredibly sweet if the Saints traded Rattler to the Jets and potentially saw him improve his career as a starter for them.
James Conner
The Cardinals have a massive logjam at running back with newly drafted Jeramiyah Love, Tyler Allgeier, Trey Benson, Bam Knight, and Correy Kiner on the roster, along with James Conner, who had an injury-riddled 2025 season.
With the Red Birds turning their attention to Love, Conner is a liability on the roster and is 31, which is old for running backs.
The Cardinals should consider quietly trading Conner to teams like the Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Las Vegas Raiders.
Conner would give the Packers a nice veteran presence at the position and help them be a playoff contender.
He would provide veteran leadership at the position on the Raiders and serve as a mentor to Ashton Jeanty.
Conner would see significant usage as a starter if the Cardinals chose to trade him to the Jaguars, as they still need a new Pro Bowl-caliber running back on their NFL roster.
Quietly trading Conner to a playoff contender makes the best sense for the Cardinals as they continue rebuilding and retooling their roster.
Kayvon Thibodeaux
Thibodeaux has been the talk of trade rumors, as the Giants look for a fresh start in the 2026 season under head coach John Harbaugh.
Thibodeaux is also expensive, as the team is paying his fifth-year $14.75 million option, while his play has been very inconsistent since the 2023 season, when he had 11.5 sacks.
Teams are hesitant to take on Thibodeaux’s contract, as his production has declined. However, if the Giants found trading partners, those teams would have to be the New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, or New Orleans Saints.
Thibodeaux on the Patriots makes a lot of sense, as he would join head coach Mike Vrabel and potentially flourish under defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr’s system.
The Saints love having strong athletic edge rushers on their roster, and Thibodeaux would make a lot of noise in the “Big Easy.” Especially if the team trades for him and utilizes his strengths as a replacement for Cameron Jordan.
The Chiefs would also make a great home for Thibodeaux, as he would join a defense led by Chris Jones and be coached by former Giants’ defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
If Thibodeaux continues to struggle with the Giants, a trade before the start or during the regular season will be imminent.
Kayshon Boutte
The New England Patriots are trying to quietly trade Boutte out of Foxborough, as their receiver room is very crowded, and they just acquired Pro Bowler A. J. Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles.
Boutte himself has also requested a trade out of New England and has not appeared at OTAs, and is on the final year of his NFL rookie contract.
Boutte wants to join a team that can offer him a larger role in the position.
Teams the Patriots should consider quietly trading Boutte to include the Washington Commanders, New York Giants, and Las Vegas Raiders.
Boutte, on the Commanders catching passes from Jayden Daniels, would be very impressive if he can stay healthy for the 2026 season.
The Giants could use Boutte on their roster, as Malik Nabers isn’t 100 percent yet and could miss week one. Boutte would make an immediate impact on the roster alongside Odell Beckham Jr. and Juju Smith-Schuster.
The Raiders are building a young offensive core to work around Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza, and Boutte would be a nice and cheap fit for their rebuilding roster.
Each of these trade options is great, but potentially trading Boutte quietly to the Raiders is the best choice for him. Please make it happen, New England.
