The 2025 NFL trade deadline will take place on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. ET. At that moment, all player trades for the season officially come to an end. After the deadline passes, teams can no longer acquire new players through trades, forcing front offices to work with their existing rosters for the remainder of the season.
⸻
What Happens Before the Deadline?
Leading up to the 4:00 p.m. ET cutoff, teams not only make final trade decisions but also face additional contract rules regarding tagged players:
- Unsigned Franchise Players: Clubs must sign their Franchise or Transition Players before the deadline.
- Offer Sheet Eligibility: Franchise Players who were eligible to sign offer sheets with other teams must finalize their deals by this date.
- If Unsigned: Any Franchise or Transition Player who remains unsigned past November 4 is prohibited from playing in the NFL for the rest of the 2025 season.
This stipulation ensures clarity and stability as teams prepare for the stretch run into the postseason.
⸻
Why the Trade Deadline Matters
The NFL trade deadline often sparks dramatic last-minute moves as teams weigh whether to:
- Buy: Contending teams may seek reinforcements for a playoff push.
- Sell: Rebuilding teams may trade veterans for draft picks or younger talent.
- Stand Pat: Some teams choose to keep their rosters intact to preserve chemistry.
Additionally, the franchise tag deadline adds another layer of intrigue, as the fate of key players can be determined by this single date.
⸻
Key Takeaway
The 2025 NFL trade deadline on November 4 at 4:00 p.m. ET is more than just the end of player trades—it also finalizes the status of Franchise and Transition Players across the league. After this date, rosters are effectively locked, and teams must navigate the rest of the season with the squads they have built.
