The 2026 NFL trade deadline is fast approaching and major deals have already been made around the league. For example, the Chicago Bears just completed a blockbuster trade, sending multiple picks (including two first-round picks) to the Tennessee Titans for star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. The defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks also signed All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson in a trade with Indianapolis. These deals may have been the first, but there will certainly be more before the November 10 deadline.
Most of the conversations around the deadline have largely centered around passers, running backs and wide receivers. That said, the quarterback market could also heat up, as a few NFL teams could be in the market for a signal-caller. This includes both the Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles, who each lost their starting quarterback. Then there’s the Minnesota Vikings, who could also be looking at an upgrade at the position with Kyler Murray struggling despite the team’s 6-1 start to the year.
With that in mind, we combed the market and identified 10 veteran quarterbacks who could be available for the right price on the trade market.
10. Joe Milton III
Milton is on the Eagles’ active roster after being cut from the Cowboys’ practice squad. He replaces starter Tanner McKee, who moved up the depth chart following Jalen Hurts being put on the shelf with blood clots in his lungs. While Philadelphia would lose some depth at the position, Howie Roseman could see shipping Milton as an opportunity to continue to gain future draft capital, albeit in the Day 3 range.
The 26-year-old was a sixth-round pick of the Patriots in 2024 out of Tennessee and spent his rookie season in New England before being traded to Dallas in the spring of 2025. He appeared in five games during his career (one start) and completed 69.8% of his passes for a career passer rating of 90.4. Milton is still raw, but has abilities that could make him an intriguing addition.
9. Keenum Affair
Keenum has started games this year for Chicago, so even though he’s 38, he has recent starting experience that could be helpful for a team looking for a QB. After Caleb Williams and Tyson Bagent were injured for the Bears earlier this year, Keenum started the club’s Week 3 game against Philadelphia and impressed. He completed 24 of 34 (70.6%) for 247 yards and two touchdowns, while adding another score on the ground in a 27-7 win over the Eagles.
Keenum also saw action in Week 5, but the results weren’t as prolific, completing 11 of 19 for 108 yards and an interception. Still, he showed the ability to come in and play at an acceptable level, which is really all you can ask for this time of year when looking for a quarterback.
8.Andy Dalton
Dalton is another notable name that could be obtained, as he is in a crowded quarterback room with the Atlanta Falcons. The 39-year-old started the year with the Philadelphia Eagles, but was released by the team on October 9. He then signed with the Falcons, who released Cooper Rush to make room for him on the roster. Dalton is currently in a quarterback room consisting of starter Michael Penix Jr., Tua Tagovailoa and undrafted rookie Jack Strand.
Dalton made a brief appearance in the Eagles’ Week 3 loss to the Bears, attempting a pass that was intercepted. While that doesn’t exactly inspire a lot of confidence, Dalton is a seasoned veteran with 16 years and 169 career starts under his belt.
7. Anthony Richardson
The Colts are blowing things up. They’ve already traded Nelson and DeForest Buckner, and Jonathan Taylor looks like he could be next if the price is right. If Indy is willing to move this caliber of player, trading Anthony Richardson for any type of return should be on the table even after benching Daniel Jones late in the Week 8 loss to Jacksonville.
Richardson has been a bust so far for the Colts after selecting him with the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Florida. The 24-year-old is 8-7 as a starter and has a career completion percentage of 50.9% as well as a career passer rating of 68.0. His raw ability and untapped potential could be of interest to a team in need of a QB looking to secure a lottery ticket. For a rebuilding team like Indianapolis, extracting value from the roster — especially for a player like Richardson, who will be a free agent this offseason — makes too much sense.
6. James Winston
Winston is the backup in New York after losing his starting job to JJ McCarthy. After Jaxson Dart suffered a season-ending knee injury, Winston initially got the nod and the 12-year veteran largely struggled, despite going 2-1-1 as a starter. He completed 57% of his throws and had seven passing touchdowns and five interceptions in six games played. Most notably, Winston’s arm strength seemed diminished, which allowed McCarthy — who they acquired in a trade with Minnesota — to move ahead of him on the depth chart.
While Winston may be past his prime, he’s started 13 games over the past three seasons, so he’s not the coldest quarterback on the market.
5. Gardner Minshew
Minshew could be the new QB1 in Arizona, which could eliminate him from this list. However, the Cardinals should eventually see what they have in rookie Carson Beck, so if they can get value in someone like Minshew, it would be remiss not to pull the trigger. After replacing Jacoby Brissett on the bench, Minshew helped Arizona rally in the fourth quarter against the Cowboys and earned the upset win in overtime. The veteran completed 17 of 23 for 188 yards and three touchdowns in the winning effort.
The 30-year-old began his career as a sixth-round pick of the Jaguars in 2019 and has bounced around the league since being traded to Jacksonville in 2021. In all, Minshew made stops in Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Las Vegas and Kansas City before arriving in Arizona, so he’s no stranger to jumping into new systems. He has started 47 games in his career and is 17-30 as a starter.
4. Jacoby Brissett
Brissett could be one of the quarterbacks actually available on the trade market, especially after being benched for Minshew against Dallas last week. The 33-year-old started the first eight games of the season for Arizona, owning a 3-5 record while completing 63.3 percent of his throws and a passer rating of 79.7. Brissett started 12 games for the Cardinals last year and had a 94.1 passer rating, so his production dropped off pretty dramatically in 2026, which has since led to him finishing that Week 8 win on the bench.
If Arizona wants to hand the keys to Minshew, that makes Brissett expendable, especially with rookie third-round pick Carson Beck waiting in the wings. Brissett has started 73 games in his career and is 23-50 in those contests.
3. Tyson Bagent
Caleb Williams is back healthy, which could make Bagent expendable. He was initially the top backup when Williams injured his hamstring earlier this year, but had to give way to Case Keenum as the starter in Week 3 after landing in the concussion protocol. Once cleared, Bagent got the nod in Week 4 against New York, where he completed 25 of 34 for 268 yards and an interception. The following week, he started against the Packers, but was ultimately benched for Keenum after completing 57.1 percent of his throws and two interceptions.
If Chicago feels comfortable with Keenum as Williams’ primary backup, Bagent becomes an intriguing trade chip since he is only 26 years old.
2. Kirk Cousins
Cousins’ future in Las Vegas is directly tied to the development of No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. If the Raiders believe the rookie is ready to move up the ladder, Cousins becomes a must-have on the trade market and perhaps the most sought-after quarterback as of this date. After all, he’s 4-4 as the Raiders’ starter, has thrown 19 passing touchdowns and has a 101.4 passer rating in eight starts. He has had at least two passing touchdowns in seven of his eight games played this season.
In the right situation, Cousins could help a faltering team — like Baltimore, which just lost Lamar Jackson to a right thumb injury — stay afloat in the playoff race.
1. MacJones
It’s unlikely he moved, but if you’re ranking veteran quarterbacks who could be traded before the deadline, you have to at least mention Jones. He’s arguably the best backup in the NFL, and considering how he replaced Brock Purdy last year, the Niners should probably be blown away to deal him.
In eight starts last season, Jones was 8-3 while completing 69.6 percent of his throws and averaging 268.9 passing yards per game. He also had a passer rating of 97.4. The former first-round pick has been mentioned in trade rumors in the past, but San Francisco has maintained a high price tag, and it’s hard to imagine they would make a move now. Still, if a team is looking to really make a splash, he’ll likely be at the top of their wish list.
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