NFL Analysis
1/21/25
6 min read
2025 NFL Offseason: 5 Trade Ideas for Potential Contenders
With just three games remaining before the 2025 NFL offseason, it's time to look ahead to some potential trades that could shake up the league this spring.
Players are already starting to make plans for life beyond their current teams. While things calmed down shortly after, Miami Dolphins star wideout Tyreek Hill publicly told reporters that he wanted out of Miami immediately following the team's Week 18 loss to the New York Jets.
Other players will start to stir the pot to move to a new team. Before outlets everywhere can start picking up and following rumors surrounding top players, here are a few trades we would love to see once the offseason is in full swing.
2025 NFL Offseason Trade Ideas
Maxx Crosby (@CrosbyMaxx) goes speed bull rush & drives the 318 lb Terence Steele right into Prescott. Don’t sleep on Crosby’s power! @RealSkipBayless them #raiders are for real! #passrush #speedtopower pic.twitter.com/SuJbS7Vo38
— DLineVids (@dlinevids1) November 27, 2021
Maxx Crosby to the Green Bay Packers 
Packers receive: EDGE Maxx Crosby
Raiders receive: 2025 second-round pick, 2026 third-round pick
The Green Bay Packers desperately need a pass rusher. Not one they can be patient in developing, but one who can contribute right away for a potential Super Bowl run in 2025.
For all of the good with Jeff Hafley's defense this season, the Packers ranked just 26th in pass rush win rate. No player had 50 or more pressures this year, and only Rashan Gary (49) had more than 40.
Crosby would come in and be an immediate difference-maker in Hafley's defense. He had 54 pressures and 7.5 sacks in just 12 games this year and is also a disruptive player against the run.
It would take significant resources to convince the Raiders to give up their franchise player in his prime. However, if Crosby wants to play for a contender before the end of his career, then the Packers would be the perfect landing spot.
Kenyon Green to the Chicago Bears
Bears receive: iOL Kenyon Green
Texans receive: 2025 seventh-round pick
This may not be the most exciting trade on this list, but it could be an important one for a team like the Chicago Bears.
The Bears could be losing multiple starters on the interior of their offensive line this offseason, with five players, including a few starters, entering unrestricted free agency. A new coaching staff could have opinions on who to keep and who to let walk, but regardless, they'll desperately need some reinforcements in the trenches.
Kenyon Green might be one of the most cost-effective moves and a buy-low option for Chicago. The former first-round guard struggled mightily for the Houston Texans this year, allowing five sacks and 28 pressures in pass protection.
However, Green has real talent and is still on a rookie deal. Texans fans might be sick of him, but new head coach Ben Johnson could view him as a reclamation project with high upside that could make him a long-term starter for a throwaway draft pick.
Some vintage DK Metcalf 😤 pic.twitter.com/d4YjkH97U2
— NFL UK & Ireland (@NFLUKIRE) December 22, 2024
DK Metcalf to the Los Angeles Chargers
Chargers receive: WR DK Metcalf, 2025 sixth-round pick
Seahawks receive: 2025 third-round pick
The Seattle Seahawks are caught in a potential transition period, especially with Geno Smith's future up in the air past the 2025 season.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba has emerged as the top target in Seattle, leaving DK Metcalf to play second fiddle despite being in the middle of a three-year, $72 million extension. That's not to say that Metcalf isn't still an impactful player. He caught 66 passes for 992 yards and five touchdowns and was a legitimate man-coverage beater with 1.89 yards per route run.
Metcalf heads into the final year of his deal, and the Seahawks could focus on getting some kind of value out of their former draft steal instead of letting him walk in free agency after this season. The Los Angeles Chargers could be a great fit, pairing Metcalf's deep-threat ability with Justin Herbert's arm talent and Ladd McConkey's ability to get open in the short-intermediate game.
Tyrann Mathieu to the Indianapolis Colts
Colts receive: SAF Tyrann Mathieu
Saints receive: 2025 sixth-round pick
Expect some big changes on the Indianapolis Colts defense this offseason.
Head coach Shane Steichen moved on from Gus Bradley as his defensive coordinator, replacing him with an exciting new defensive coordinator in Lou Anarumo. The former Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator isn't afraid to be aggressive with his secondary, making a cheap trade for a veteran like Tyrann Mathieu an exciting move.
Mathieu is 32 years old and showing signs of age, but he's an established veteran who could bring leadership and some value as a versatile defender. He's still reliable in coverage as well, allowing a passer rating lower than 73.0 in each of the last three seasons.
The Saints need to focus on shedding contracts and clearing cap space, and a post-June 1 trade of the Honey Badger would give them $7.5 million in cap relief for 2025. That's enough incentive to move on from Mathieu in a rebuilding year while giving the Colts a veteran presence in their secondary.
George Pickens is just hitting buttons out there pic.twitter.com/jUX0T3lBnM
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) November 11, 2024
George Pickens to the Washington Commanders
Commanders receive: WR George Pickens
Steelers receive: 2025 second-round pick
It might be time for the Pittsburgh Steelers to move on from George Pickens.
In addition to the on-field antics and off-field comments, the Steelers simply don't have the offensive firepower to keep trying to be a contender right now. It may be time for a rebuild, which includes looking for another quarterback and getting some trade value out of players who could use a change of scenery.
Regardless of the antics, Pickens is still a phenomenal deep threat, which would make him the perfect fit with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who excels at throwing the deep ball. A wideout duo of Pickens and Terry McLaurin could be an electric one-two punch for offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, who could find ways to generate some exciting plays.
Pickens probably wants out of Pittsburgh, and while it might take a second-round pick to do so, the Commanders are in a position to keep competing for Super Bowls in the near future, so taking a swing on an exciting playmaker is a worthwhile investment.
