Several significant deals are already done. The Chicago Bears acquired defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee Titans, and he has made an immediately successful debut against the Seattle Seahawks. Accounts agree the price included two first-round picks, in 2027 and 2028, but differ on what else changed hands. The Baltimore Ravens got quarterback Jacoby Brissett from the Arizona Cardinals, who had recently benched him, and the terms are reported differently too. The Houston Texans sent a 2027 second-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick to Arizona for wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., reuniting him with quarterback C.J. Stroud. The Dallas Cowboys sent a 2027 sixth-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for cornerback Joey Porter Jr. The Jacksonville Jaguars gave Atlanta a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick for safety Jessie Bates III. The New York Giants, who have won two games with quarterback J.J. McCarthy, also have him now, after a trade with the Minnesota Vikings.

The Indianapolis Colts have been the clearest sellers. General manager Chris Ballard is gone, and the team's trades have been described as a fire sale. At the end of October the Colts sent DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2027 fourth-round pick, and sent guard Quenton Nelson to the Seahawks for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick.

The main rumor is running back Jonathan Taylor. The Vikings, Giants and Denver Broncos have all been named as possible destinations, but reports conflict on whether Indianapolis will trade him at all. One report says the Colts want a package like the one Christian McCaffrey fetched in 2022: second-, third- and fourth-round picks in 2023 and a fifth-round pick in 2024. Another says the Colts are preparing for an off-season rebuild, which would make a Taylor trade likely. Wide receiver Josh Downs has requested a trade, and the team has reportedly received an offer involving a fourth-round pick. Quarterback Daniel Jones is another Colt drawing interest, along with Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas Jr., Titans receiver Calvin Ridley and Cardinals safety Budda Baker.

The buyers come from a crowded field. The league looks wide open at the season's midpoint. The Green Bay Packers beat the New England Patriots 45-27 on Sunday, the only win by a betting underdog that week. The Bears beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27-24 despite five turnovers and are 7-2. Contenders are shopping for specific fixes. The Buffalo Bills are targeting Baker. The Detroit Lions are looking at Khalil Mack and Donte Jackson after linebacker Jack Campbell's neck injury. The Jaguars are interested in defensive tackle Moro Ojomo. The Los Angeles Rams are considering Thomas to replace the injured Davante Adams. Cowboys receiver George Pickens has been suggested as a fit for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Other teams have gaps of their own. The Giants, at 5-2-1, need rushing help after Cam Skattebo's injury. The 6-1 Vikings may look for a quarterback if Carson Wentz struggles. The Bears need secondary help, the 49ers a receiver, and the Packers are awaiting Micah Parsons' return and want run-game help. Among the players projected to move, Ridley is expected to go for a late-round pick, with six catches for 91 yards this season. Tennessee is projected to keep running back Tony Pollard, who has 665 scrimmage yards and six touchdowns, to support young quarterback Cam Ward.