The National Football League's trade deadline for the 2024 season is fast approaching on November 5, and it’s always a thrilling midseason stretch of mystery for fans of every team. The date marks the final opportunity for teams to make deals and fine-tune their rosters before entering the critical final stretch. Whether a team is in the playoff race or already planning for the '25 season, the trade deadline brings plenty of prognostication from both sides.
For teams aiming for the playoffs, the trade deadline is the chance to acquire that missing piece to strengthen a postseason push. Meanwhile, struggling teams might decide it's time to trade away experienced players for draft picks as they turn their attention to the future and a rebuilding project that will require some time.
The NFL's trade deadline is looming and teams are sorting out whether or not to be buyers or sellers for the 2024 season.
As the deadline approaches, the rumor mill will churn and analysts will make their predictions. That's what makes it such a fun time in the heart of the season, since it feels a bit like free agency and the draft—two other times on the NFL's calendar where roster changes generate buzz for a team's fan base about what results any moves might yield.
For the Chiefs, the trade deadline has been a moderately busy moment for the team in recent years. Last year, general manager Brett Veach made a minor deal to rescue wide receiver Mecole Hardman from the New York Jets' doghouse but that came a couple of weeks before the deadline. The previous year featured a larger deal for Kadarius Toney, so perhaps those results will help Veach tap the brakes this year. Past deals have also brought players like pass rusher Melvin Ingram to Kansas City.
The closer to the deadline we get, the more we'll hear from teams wanting to buy or sell depending on their trajectory. It's always an exciting time either way.