NFL Teams Wheel and Deal to Finalize Rosters Before Kickoff

With the 2025 NFL preseason now complete and 53-man rosters taking shape, teams are scrambling to make late trades and roster moves before the start of the regular season. In the final days leading up to kickoff, several players have changed teams, including quarterbacks, running backs, and defensive players, often for modest draft pick compensation.

The Commanders and Vikings, for instance, have traded running back Brian Robinson Jr. and defensive tackle Harrison Phillips, respectively, in deals that saw them eat some of the players' salaries to facilitate the trades and secure better draft pick returns. These types of transactions are common as teams look to fill roster spots vacated by injuries or unexpected cuts during training camp.

One of the more intriguing potential trades being discussed involves the Philadelphia Eagles and Cincinnati Bengals. The Eagles, who have the most expensive offense in the NFL for the second straight year, are reportedly eyeing Bengals' edge rusher Trey Hendrickson as a potential addition to their defensive line. The Eagles lost key contributors on the defensive front this offseason and could get creative to acquire the veteran pass rusher, even if it means parting with a promising young player like linebacker Nakobe Hunt.

As teams finalize their rosters, the next two weeks are sure to see more wheeling and dealing as organizations look to find the right mix of talent to compete in the 2025 season.