NFL Trade Notes: Instant Reaction to Every Major Deal on

Catch up on theScore’s instant scores for every notable NFL trade made below the wire ahead of the league’s 4 p.m. ET deadline.

👉 Tracking Every NFL Trade This Season

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Cousins ​​| Whore | Allen | Henley

Josh Downs ➡️ Chefs

The Chiefs desperately needed to make a move on a wide receiver, and they did. Does Downs’ arrival solve Kansas City’s problems in the passing game? Probably not, but it helps.

Downs caught 58 passes for 566 yards and four touchdowns last year in what was his least productive season to date. He had already topped 700 yards in each of his first two years, including a career-high 803 in 2024. He had 354 yards and a touchdown on 33 receptions this campaign. Downs, who brings yards-after-catch ability, projects as a great fit for the Chiefs, who need a WR2 behind Rashee Rice and continue to rely on quick passing games.

The trade comes as no surprise to the rebuilding Colts. Downs was the latest piece shipped out by an Indianapolis team focused on adding draft capital before this year’s deadline. The 25-year-old is set to hit free agency next year, so getting fourth- and fifth-round picks in return was smart for Indy.

It’s difficult to understand why the Colts traded away four key veterans but decided to keep star running back Jonathan Taylor. Still, Indianapolis has done a decent job with its in-season trades.

Chefs: B+

Colts: B-

Daiyan Henley ➡️Broncos

The Broncos needed another capable linebacker option in the middle of their defense, and Henley should complement Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad well. Henley had been a starter for the Chargers the past two seasons, recording at least 100 tackles, a sack, three assists and an interception during the 2024 and 2025 campaigns. He is on pace to replicate those numbers this year, and Denver only gave up Day 3 picks for him.

Granted, the 2023 third-round pick is in the final year of his rookie contract, so he’ll be looking for a new deal in a few months. However, even if he’s just a rental for Denver, the Chargers might regret giving an AFC West rival a potential starter for two mid-round picks. The Broncos expect to receive a fourth-round compensatory pick for John Franklin-Myers, and their selection will go to Los Angeles, according to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated.

Broncos: A-

Chargers: C+

Kirk Cousins ​​​​➡️Vikings

It’s a reunion for Cousins ​​and the Vikings.

Minnesota has faced quarterback questions since the start of the season, but those issues have been greatly exposed with backup Carson Wentz in charge. The Vikings scored just six points on Monday Night Football, failing to reach 17 points in a game for the fifth time this year. Quarterback Kevin O’Connell has failed to revive Kyler Murray’s career, and his offense ranks 27th in scoring. Meanwhile, Minnesota’s defense has allowed the fewest points and passing yards in the NFL.

Trading for Cousins, who worked with O’Connell and earned three Pro Bowl berths in Minnesota from 2018-2023, makes a lot of sense. The Vikings can’t continue to waste the best defense in the NFL. Cousins ​​isn’t an elite QB, but he knows O’Connell’s offense and played well for the Raiders, completing 64 percent of his passes for 2,340 yards and 20 touchdowns against eight interceptions. He is on pace to finish this season with 37 touchdown passes, which would be a career high. If the 38-year-old maintains this production, he will give Minnesota a much-needed advantage at the most important position in football.

The Raiders were off to a surprising 3-0 start this season, but they were never going to make it in the playoffs this year. Cousins ​​served as a solid bridge QB for No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza while helping first-year head coach Klint Kubiak build a competitive team through nine weeks. But Las Vegas has lost five of its last six games, and at one point it had to turn to Mendoza. As solid as Cousins ​​is, getting a Day 2 pick was the best move for the Raiders’ short- and long-term future. Now is Mendoza time in Vegas.

Vikings: A-

Raiders: B+

Amani Hooker ➡️ Invoices

It’s hard not to like this move by Buffalo. The Bills defense allowed 29 or more points in five of the team’s first six games, and the lone exception came against the listless Chargers. The Bills have only given up 16 total points in two games since their bye week, but those games were against backup quarterbacks. Buffalo undoubtedly needs more playmakers on defense, especially in the secondary, and Hooker offers exactly what the club wants.

Hooker, 28, leads the NFL with five interceptions this season. He recently knocked out Joe Burrow three times in the same game, and given the way the Bengals and Bills are playing, they could easily face each other in the playoffs in January. Hooker, who also had a five-INT campaign in 2024, has averaged 77 tackles, seven assists, three interceptions and one forced fumble every 17 games played since the Titans drafted him in the fourth round in 2019.

Tennessee became one of this season’s biggest sellers after trading franchise cornerstone Jeffery Simmons to the Bears for two first-round picks. With the Hooker deal, the Titans landed another premium draft pick and now have four selections in the first two rounds in 2027. They will also benefit from greater financial flexibility, with the Bills inheriting approximately $4.4 million of Hooker’s remaining compensation for 2026, followed by $10.3 million in 2027 and $13.5 million in 2028.

Bills: A

Titans: A-

Keenan Allen ➡️49ers

The 49ers needed to be aggressive before the trade deadline, and the wide receiver position was their biggest need. While Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel battled injuries, Jordan Watkins, Brandin Cooks and Demarcus Robinson were San Francisco’s top WRs in Sunday’s win over the Raiders. That’s not ideal for a team with the best record in the NFC and Super Bowl aspirations.

Allen, 34, is past his prime, but his 40 receptions were the most among Colts passers this season. He also scored a touchdown and had 351 receiving yards, which would put him third on the 49ers behind George Kittle and Evans. The Niners will take on Allen’s $920,000 salary and potentially another $5 million in bonuses after he joins Indy on a one-year deal in August.

It’s a win-win exchange. Indianapolis continues to raise draft capital amid a major roster rebuild, while San Francisco spent a late-round pick in a low-risk move to add a former perennial Pro Bowler, bringing depth and experience to a premier position.

49ers: B+

Colts: B