This NFL offseason has already been a wild one, as we witnessed an uptick in trades ahead of free agency. Certain teams were looking to shed salary in order to get under the set cap number, while other teams were looking to buy talent ahead of the free agency firestorm. 

Perhaps the amount of trades is an indicator of how executives view this free agency class — and the incoming draft class as well. Just in the past few weeks, we’ve seen teams swap young players for young players, and contenders take big swings in pursuit of a Lombardi Trophy. It’s fair to say we’re not done either, as Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown could be next.

While several deals are already agreed to, trades cannot become official until the start of the new league year at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 11.

Below, we revisit every trade that’s been made over the last month and check out how the CBS Sports staff graded each move.

Colts trade Michael Pittman Jr. to Steelers

The Steelers landed a starting wideout to pair opposite of DK Metcalf on the first day of the league’s two-day negotiation period — although they did so via trade! The Steelers have acquired wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. from the Colts in a late-round pick swap, per CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones. Pittsburgh is also signing Pittman to a new three-year, $59 million extension. Last season, Pittman caught 80 passes for 784 yards and seven touchdowns. The former second-round pick has recorded two 1,000-yard receiving seasons in his six years, including a 1,152-yard campaign in 2023. 

This was more of a financial move for Indy, as the Colts just agreed to terms with Alec Pierce on a four-year, $116 million deal that makes him the highest-paid wide receiver in free agency history. He’s their new WR1. 

Trade grades (via Jordan Dajani)

Packers trade Rashan Gary to Cowboys

After a weird Friday, which included Rashan Gary claiming his social media had been hacked, the Packers are finally parting ways with the pass rusher. Instead of releasing him, Green Bay found a trade partner in the Cowboys, who are sending a future fourth-rounder for the 28-year-old. Gary reunites with defensive tackle Kenny Clark and defensive coordinator Christian Parker, who was the Packers’ defensive quality control coach during Gary’s rookie season. Gary has base salaries of $18 million in 2026 and $21 million in 2027, but none of that money is guaranteed, according to Over the Cap. Gary has recorded at least 7.5 sacks in each of the last three years, but is still searching for that first double-digit sack season. 

Trade grades (via Jared Dubin)

Dolphins trade Minkah Fitzpatrick to Jets

The Dolphins are tearing it down. Just hours after they announced they were parting ways with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, Miami traded five-time Pro Bowl safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to the rival Jets. New York is also signing Fitzpatrick to a three-year, $40 million extension. This marks the second offseason in a row Fitzpatrick has been traded. In his one season back with Miami in 2025, he recorded 82 tackles, one sack, six passes defensed and one interception in 14 games played. Fitzpatrick is now 29 years old, but the Jets have holes to fill in the secondary. 

Trade grades (via Bryan DeArdo)

Bills trade Taron Johnson to Raiders

It was reported last week that the Bills were set to release longtime cornerback Taron Johnson, but the Raiders came calling with a late-round pick swap to acquire the veteran. While he will turn 30 years old this summer, Aaron Rodgers recently called Johnson, “one of the best players in the league” and “one of the most underrated players in the league.” Johnson can line up really anywhere defensively, and is three years removed from an All-Pro selection. 

Trade grades (via Jordan Dajani)

Colts trade Zaire Franklin to Packers

It was reported the Colts were interested in moving linebacker Zaire Franklin ahead of free agency, and unlike the Bears with Tremaine Edmunds, Indy actually found a trade partner in the Packers. Franklin has recorded at least 125 tackles in each of the last four seasons, and his 644 total tackles in that span are more than any other player. His 173 combined tackles in 2024 led the league, and earned him his first Pro Bowl bid as well. This was an important move for Green Bay, as linebacker Quay Walker is set to hit free agency. As for Colby Wooden, he’s a young defensive tackle that has lined up over the center and been effective against the run.

Trade grades (via Jordan Dajani)

Raiders trade Maxx Crosby to Ravens

It wasn’t the Chicago Bears, nor the Dallas Cowboys. Instead, it was the Baltimore Ravens that found a way to acquire Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders. Eric DeCosta is sending two first-round picks to Vegas in exchange for one of the best pass rushers in the NFL, as the Ravens prove they are all-in to win a Super Bowl despite hiring a first-year head coach.

Crosby has recorded 69.5 sacks in his 110 career games played, which rank sixth-most since he was selected in the fourth round out of Eastern Michigan in 2019, and he’s just the third player in Raiders history to reach double-digit sacks in four seasons. While he’s a quarterback terror, Crosby is a well-rounded and durable defensive end. He’s played more defensive snaps than any lineman since he entered the league!

There were rumors Crosby could be searching for a change of scenery, although he never came out and publicly said so. This past year, the Raiders shut down Crosby with two games remaining in the season due to a knee injury, placing him on injured reserve. This was a decision he “vehemently” disagreed with, according to Jay Glazer of Fox. NFL Media reported it would cause Crosby to evaluate his future with the franchise, and now, he finds himself in Baltimore. 

Trade grades (via Zach Pereles)

Patriots trade Garrett Bradbury to Bears

Drew Dalman’s surprise retirement spurred the Bears into action, and in Bradbury, they acquire a veteran center to mesh with Caleb Williams. Bradbury, a 2019 first-round pick of the Vikings, spent his first six seasons in Minnesota before heading to New England as part of its 2025 free agency shopping spree. He will enter the final season of his contract.

The Bears also have questions at left tackle, but coach Ben Johnson has a strong ability to bring out the best in his linemen. The Patriots, meanwhile, will move Jared Wilson back to his natural position of center and look to upgrade the position he departs, left guard.

Trade grades (via Zach Pereles)

Bears trade DJ Moore to Bills

• Bills receive: WR DJ Moore, 2026 fifth-round pick
• Bears receive: 2026 second-round pick

Joe Brady is bringing in a veteran wide receiver to help Josh Allen, as Buffalo sent a second-round pick to the Chicago Bears in exchange for Moore and a fifth-round pick. Moore was always viewed as a trade candidate this offseason, but not many expected the Bears to net this kind of return given the wideout’s contract.

Moore is signed through 2029. As part of the trade, the Bills will guarantee $15.5 million of his 2028 base salary, his agents told ESPN. Moore’s $23.5 million salary for 2026 is already fully guaranteed, and his 2027 salary becomes guaranteed next week.

Trade grades (via Zach Pereles)

Chiefs trade Trent McDuffie to Rams

• Rams receive: WR Trent McDuffie
• Chiefs receive: 2026 first-round pick (No. 29 overall), 2026 fifth-round pick, 2026 sixth-round pick, 2027 third-round pick

Star cornerback Trent McDuffie goes from one Super Bowl contender to another. The Los Angeles Rams are sticking by their “F them picks” mantra, sending a 2026 first-round pick (No. 29 overall), a 2026 fifth-round pick, a 2026 sixth-round pick and a 2027 third-round pick to the Kansas City Chiefs for the 25-year-old defensive back, who has a case to become the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history soon. McDuffie is set to play the 2026 season on his fifth-year option.

The Rams needed to upgrade their secondary this offseason, while the Chiefs needed to shed some cap. This isn’t the first time Kansas City has elected to trade one of its top corners, as it sent L’Jarius Sneed to the Tennessee Titans just a couple years ago.

Trade grades (via John Breech)

Lions trade David Montgomery to Texans

The Houston Texans have a new running back after trading a fourth-round pick, a seventh-round pick and offensive lineman Juice Scruggs to the Detroit Lions for Montgomery, who turns 29 this summer. Montgomery recorded the eighth-most rushing touchdowns over the past three seasons with Detroit (33), but had a career-low 158 rushing attempts and 716 rushing yards in 2025.

He now has a chance to establish himself as RB1 in Houston, while Jahmyr Gibbs loses his “Knuckles,” his power-running partner in Detroit’s “Sonic and Knuckles” backfield.

Trade grades (via Tyler Sullivan)

Texans trade Tytus Howard to Browns

All five starters on the Cleveland Browns’ offensive line are set to hit free agency. No team since 1970 has lost all five starters on the offensive line in the same offseason, according to CBS Sports Research.

That’s why Cleveland swung a trade for a versatile blocker in Tytus Howard, who has played every spot on the offensive line except center. The Texans receive a fifth-round pick in the deal.

Trade grades (via Jordan Dajani)

Titans trade T’Vondre Sweat to Jets for Jermaine Johnson II

The first trade that will become official in the new league year is a rare player-for-player deal, as the Titans sent defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat to the Jets for pass rusher Jermaine Johnson II. 

Sweat is a massive man with massive potential, while Johnson fills a big need for the Titans at pass rusher and has familiarity with new coach Robert Saleh.

Trade grades (via Zach Pereles)