playJeremy FowlerCloseJeremy Fowlersenior NFL national reporterJeremy Fowler is a senior national NFL writer for ESPN, covering the entire league including breaking news. Jeremy also contributes to SportsCenter both as a studio analyst and a sideline reporter covering for NFL games. He is an Orlando, Florida native who joined ESPN in 2014 after covering college football for CBSSports.com. and Dan GrazianoCloseDan Grazianosenior NFL national reporterDan Graziano is a senior NFL national reporter for ESPN, covering the entire league and breaking news. Dan also contributes to Get Up, NFL Live, SportsCenter, ESPN Radio, Sunday NFL Countdown and Fantasy Football Now.
He is a New Jersey native who joined ESPN in 2011, and he is also the author of two published novels.Multiple AuthorsNov 11, 2026, 06:15 AM ETOpen Extended ReactionsIt’s Week 10 of the 2026 NFL season, and the trade deadline is officially behind us. As the dust settles on all the moves, insiders Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano have been calling sources around the league for the latest news and notable buzz.For the past month, there has been plenty of trade speculation on Jonathan Taylor, Daniel Jones and Brian Thomas Jr., among others. But none of those players ended up switching teams. Was there ever any momentum?
Why did those three big names stay put? One player who did get traded was Kirk Cousins, and there were plenty of dominoes to fall there. What now for the Raiders, who will turn to Fernando Mendoza? And does this deal fix the Vikings’ offense amid their push to the top of the NFC North?Jeremy and Dan share what they’re hearing, answer big questions, hand out useful fantasy football nuggets and empty their reporting notebooks heading into Week 10.Jump to: No Taylor, Jones or BTJ deals?
Cousins trade fallout for both teams? Fantasy advice | More notes, intelJonathan Taylor, Daniel Jones and Brian Thomas Jr. were arguably the buzziest names before the deadline but didn’t move. Why not?Graziano: In Taylor’s case, it’s because the “buzz” never lined up with the Colts’ desire to trade him. Remember, Quenton Nelson, DeForest Buckner and Keenan Allen were all in the final year of their contracts.
Taylor is not. He’s 27 years old and signed for two more years. They didn’t have to trade him. He can be part of the solution next year and beyond.
So they held firm on their price, asking for a first-round pick or some package of picks that would be reasonably equivalent to that. And no team emerged that was willing to give them that.The important thing to remember about Taylor is that the Colts never had an interest in moving on from him to just clear salary or be rid of the player. They like him. He’s the only one of their prominent veterans who were extension-eligible last summer and actually got an extension. (Alec Pierce and Jones were free agents, remember.) So while there were talks, I don’t get the sense the Colts were ever eager or close to trading Taylor.play0:57Orlovsky perplexed by the Colts not trading Jonathan TaylorFowler: The buzz around Taylor persisted because of interest from other teams, the franchise’s teardown tone set by the Nelson/Buckner trades and the sheer mileage on the player (1,712 carries).
But he’s a boon for any Indy coaching staff in 2027. He’s also the team’s best player. While Josh Downs clearly wanted out, Taylor wasn’t as dug in (though I’m sure he would have welcomed the chance to play for a contender). My sense in talking to teams is that Indy wanted at least a first-round equivalent in any package, and interested teams couldn’t get there.
I believe Denver gave it a run this week but wasn’t comfortable with the return Indianapolis was seeking.As for Jones, he was likely Minnesota’s backup option to Cousins. It’s worth noting that the Colts’ coaching staff just doesn’t seem eager to play Anthony Richardson Sr. and is much more comfortable with Jones despite his struggles. So I believe that’s a factor in all of this.Graziano: Jones, who turns 30 next May, will be a decision for the incoming GM and (possibly) next head coach to make in the offseason. He’s scheduled to earn $38 million in 2027.
None of that is guaranteed at the moment — $10.51 million of it becomes fully guaranteed if he’s still on the roster on the fifth day of the 2027 league year. If Jones finishes the season playing well, and the team can legitimately talk itself into the idea that he’ll be better next year further removed from his Achilles injury, that price could make him an attractive option. If not, Indianapolis can cut him without too much pain. It would take on $35.2 million in dead money cap charges in 2027, but that’s not as intimidating a number as it used to be.Fowler: Thomas, meanwhile, garnered significant interest, but in the end the Jaguars, a true contender, didn’t want to subtract.
They only wanted to add. And they value Thomas, though his numbers don’t reflect that. He has speed that demands defensive attention.Graziano: Thomas doesn’t appear to be an important player for the Jaguars anymore when you check the box score, but look around the league. The Rams are almost out of receivers.
The 49ers have been scrambling to fill those spots all season. Injuries happen, and if something should happen to Jakobi Meyers or Parker Washington, the Jaguars believe Thomas could help them if he suddenly got thrust into a higher-volume role. The Jaguars are very clearly thinking about getting the top seed in the AFC and winning the Super Bowl. Maintaining quality depth at premium positions is important.Fowler: What’s tough about Thomas’ situation is he has only one reception in the past four games, and my sense is the player would have welcomed a fresh start had a trade happened.
But that’s a lot of talent on which to give up. Thomas was, quite easily, the most gifted athlete on the field when I visited Jaguars training camp. So while Taylor staying in Indy was a matter of the Colts’ high demands, I don’t think that was the case with Thomas. The Jaguars could have gotten a quality pick for him.
They just didn’t seem interested in moving him, even though he could have helped recoup some of the lost capital from Monday’s flurry of trades.But Jacksonville should probably try to find a way to get Thomas involved more. It will need him in January.What now for the Vikings and Raiders after Kirk Cousins was traded to Minnesota?Fowler: Cousins is comfort food for Minnesota. He’s predictable. And more importantly, he’s predictable in Kevin O’Connell’s offense.
He removes at least some unknown variables that could derail a promising season. Kyler Murray hadn’t proved to be a fit in this specific scheme (which could have been detected back in, say, March), and Carson Wentz was just bad. In fact, had Wentz simply played passable football Monday night, I’m not so sure Minnesota would have stretched draft capital to get quarterback help. Murray would have been back from injury eventually and perhaps Minnesota could have adjusted to his skill set.But Monday night was dire, so it’s time to salvage the season with a quarterback who knows the system and played well in Las Vegas.
Cousins is essentially a half-season option with a chance to re-sign. His $10 million roster bonus in 2027 is guaranteed. He has a two-year, $80 million extension that kicks in on the fifth day of the new league year, effectively serving as a poison pill. The Vikings most likely won’t pay that, but they can either pay him $10 million to walk away or repackage it in a new deal.What the Vikings do at backup quarterback will be fascinating.
Either Murray or Wentz can serve as QB2. There’s also the option to release one or place one on injured reserve. (Murray already has an injury, and Wentz appeared to hurt his throwing hand Monday night.) Either way, QB1 is solidified, at least for a half-season. And Minnesota didn’t have to give up a pick in the top two rounds to make it happen.Graziano: I agree with you and honestly don
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