Well that was something (?).
Yes, the NFL trade deadline has reached its midnight hour, and several players that were expected to have new homes remained within the walls they had already occupied.
That said, some players did get moved, but were they good moves? And what teams will be left with their head in their palms wishing they had been a tad more aggressive? Here are the winners and losers from the NFL trade deadline.
Winner: San Francisco 49ers
As if the 49ers needed more good players.
San Francisco acquired edge rusher Chase Young from the Washington Commanders for a third-round pick, giving them a really deep rotation on the defensive line already composed of Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead, and Javon Hargrave.
Loser: Buffalo Bills
The Bills decided not to pay the price for Bears’ cornerback Jaylon Johnson, so shifted and acquired Rasul Douglas from the Packers. While that’s a fine move for a team with defensive back needs, they should have done more. Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, Hunter Renfrow — I would have liked to have seen the Bills get another weapon.
Winner: Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks beefed up their defensive front by trading for Leonard Williams. With a defense that already featured a bunch of really good players- Devon Witherspoon, Jamal Adams, Bobby Wagner, Riq Woolen, to name a few- they just got even stronger with an interior disruptor. Putting Williams with Boye Mafe, DreMont Jones, and Jarran Reed was a fantastic move for a Seahawks team that is all in on this season.
Loser: Minnesota Vikings
I don’t get why the Vikings make a move to get Josh Dobbs. What does that do? Make you good enough to win seven games instead of 5? They should have just embraced the tank for the remainder of this season, sent away Danielle Hunter, and stocked up on as much draft capital as possible heading into an offseason where they’ll likely be looking for a quarterback.
Winner: Washington Commanders
The Commanders are doing what the Vikings should have done and just starting with a clean slate. They shipped off Montez Sweat and Chase Young for second- and third-round picks, respectively, and will have a nice supply of draft capital entering the offseason, likely with a new head coach and new regime.
Loser: Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers fans are bummed about not getting Jaylon Johnson. And, fair point- he’s an excellent player. However, what would that have done for their 2023 season? Frankly, nothing, The offense stinks, which is why I was more disappointed they didn’t go and get Hunter Renfrow from the Raiders. The offense doesn’t have enough juice or a reliable slot receiver (or a quarterback of the future). Pittsburgh remained stagnant instead of trying to get better, which has been the unofficial mantra of the Steelers over the last decade or so.
Winner: Chicago Bears
I like the addition of Montez Sweat. The Bears lacked any sort of presence at the edge spot, and Sweat will give them a lot of production. They gave up a second-round pick for him, which some people turned their nose up at, but who are they going to get in the second round better than Sweat at that position? Likely no one.
