Saints' Juwan Johnson Emerges as Trade Candidate
The New Orleans tight end ranks No. 12 on a trade board of players who could be moved before the November 10 deadline.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Football
Saints tight end Juwan Johnson has emerged as a possible trade candidate as the team sits at 2-5 and has lost four of its past five games. Johnson, who signed a three-year extension in 2025, was placed at No. 12 on The Athletic's trade board on November 3.
Why it matters
The Saints' losing stretch and Johnson's changing role put his future in New Orleans in question before the NFL trade deadline. The move reflects how a team's record can quickly reshape decisions about players signed to recent extensions.
Johnson has no guaranteed money on his deal after this season, which would make a trade a lower-cost move for the team. Over the past two seasons he ranks fifth in scrimmage yards among tight ends, but the Saints have reduced his opportunities in recent weeks.
The players
Juwan Johnson
Saints tight end who signed a three-year extension in 2025 and set career highs in receiving yards and receptions last season.
Daniel Popper
Reporter at The Athletic who publishes trade boards ranking players who could be moved before the NFL trade deadline.
The details
Daniel Popper of The Athletic placed Johnson at No. 12 on a trade board of candidates to be moved before the deadline, a name that did not appear on Popper's board before November 3. The Saints have ceased giving Johnson opportunities in recent weeks, according to the report.
Timeline
2025: Johnson signs three-year extension with the Saints
2025 season: Johnson sets career highs in receiving yards and receptions
Tuesday, November 3, 2026: Johnson named as a possible trade candidate
Tuesday, November 10, 2026: NFL trade deadline
Season Trajectory
With the Saints at 2-5 and the November 10 trade deadline approaching, Johnson's situation shows how a losing season can shift a team's plans for players under recent extensions. The move to consider trading him comes as the team's record narrows its playoff path.
Fantasy managers holding Johnson should weigh the possibility of a trade, since a move to a new team could change his target share and role. Johnson's lack of guaranteed money after this season means his future depends on the team's decision before the deadline.
The takeaway
Teams with losing records often reassess players on recent extensions as deadlines approach, and Johnson's case shows how quickly a role can change. Readers tracking the Saints should watch for trade news before November 10.
What happens next
The NFL trade deadline falls on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, which will determine whether Johnson is moved before the window closes.
Further reading
For more on the team's season, see Football coverage of New Orleans.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Heavy.
