NFL Trade Targets: Daniel Jones Decision Raises Questions As NFL Deadline Nears

Trade deadline days rarely run on a calm schedule. By Monday, phones across the league were already hot, and Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET cutoff is close enough to feel. Some front offices shop loudly. Others say no and move on. The Indianapolis Colts sit in the middle of it all, selling pieces while protecting one quarterback many assumed was on the block. That choice says plenty about how they see the future. It also leaves a short list of players who could still shake up the league before the clock runs out.

Indianapolis Colts Shut The Door On Daniel Jones Trade Talk

The Colts have been busy sellers. Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner are already gone, and interim general manager Ed Dodds has kept taking calls. The Baltimore Ravens and Minnesota Vikings both showed interest in Daniel Jones, but The Ringer's Tom Pelissero reported that Indianapolis never planned to deal him.

"The Colts informed QB Daniel Jones on Saturday they're not trading him by Tuesday's deadline, sources tell @ringer @netflixsports. Teams called and the Colts listened. But they never had any intention of moving him. Despite speculation, Jones is staying in Indy."

The Colts informed QB Daniel Jones on Saturday they're not trading him by Tuesday's deadline, sources tell @ringer @netflixsports. Teams called and the Colts listened. But they never had any intention of moving him. Despite speculation, Jones is staying in Indy. https://t.co/Ew0cVkmEuW

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 9, 2026

Think about the money. Jones carries a $46.8 million cap hit next season, so the second half of this year works like an audition. Meanwhile, Baltimore turned to Jacoby Brissett. That leaves the Vikings, with Kyler Murray nursing a grade 2 hamstring strain, searching elsewhere. The Las Vegas Raiders and Kirk Cousins look like the obvious call, but Adam Schefter reports Las Vegas has fielded no inquiries and has no interest in moving him.

Jonathan Taylor, Josh Downs And Dallas Cowboys Lead The Final Deadline Questions

Jonathan Taylor remains the biggest name still in play. The New York Giants offered a second-round pick and a fifth-round pick a couple of weeks ago, but that offer is now off the table. Josh Downs looks easier to move. The Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers are interested, and a fourth-round pick seems like the likely price. Kansas City badly needs help at receiver, since its offense leans heavily on Kenneth Walker III.

Other stars appear to be staying put. The New York Jets turned away offers for Breece Hall. The Tennessee Titans show no willingness to move Tony Pollard, even at 1-7, which is a puzzling stance with Pollard heading to free agency. The Baltimore Ravens will keep Derrick Henry too, according to Fox Sports' Jay Glazer.

Then there is Dallas. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones sounds unconvinced that anything is coming.

"You almost have to say if anything would be considered or working – if it's substantive for sure – you don't have any idea until you have the meeting of the minds and it's done. At this point, I don't see it."

Deadline days often punish patience, so quiet rumors can flip fast. Watch the Taylor and Downs situations first. They carry the most real movement left.