NFL Trade Deadline to Pass November 10

The 2026 NFL trade deadline is set to arrive on November 10, prompting teams to finalize roster adjustments before the cutoff.

Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Football

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The NFL trade deadline will officially expire on November 10, 2026, at 4 p.m. ET. As the date approaches, teams are looking to finalize transactions before the mid-season period concludes.

Why it matters

Contenders are actively scouting roster upgrades while struggling teams seek to trade veteran assets who are unlikely to be re-signed after the season. This deadline serves as the final opportunity for teams to shift personnel strategy until the new league year begins in March.

Budda Baker carries a $19.2 million cap hit, with a $10.6 million portion applicable to a new team and $8.6 million in dead money remaining for the Cardinals. Meanwhile, Daron Payne features a $27.95 million cap hit, with $15.8 million assigned as dead cap for the Commanders.

The players

Budda Baker

He is a veteran defensive player for the Arizona Cardinals who is currently carrying a $19.2 million cap hit.

Daron Payne

He is a defensive player for the Washington Commanders with a $27.95 million cap hit.

A.J. Epenesa

He is an NFL player whose potential cap hit for a new team is valued at less than $900,000.

The details

Teams are restricted to trading draft picks from the 2027 and 2028 seasons. Acquiring teams will absorb the remaining prorated salary for the current season, while the original trading teams retain signing bonus proration as dead cap.

November 10, 2026, at 4 p.m. ET: The NFL trade deadline expires.
March 11, 2027: The new league year begins.

Season Trajectory

This deadline represents the final pivot point for rosters before the focus shifts toward the upcoming draft cycle and offseason free agency. Moves made by November 10 will directly impact the playoff viability of contenders and the long-term salary cap health of rebuilding franchises.

The trade deadline forces teams to balance their current win-loss record against the long-term implications of dead cap space and future draft capital. Readers following fantasy leagues or team outlooks should monitor which veterans are moved, as trades often signal a shift in a team's short-term commitment to winning.

The takeaway

Team executives must decide if current roster needs justify the high cost of absorbing large veteran contracts before the deadline. Evaluating dead cap figures is essential for understanding which teams have the financial flexibility to acquire significant talent.