when can nfl teams trade

NFL teams can trade from the start of the new league year in March until the in‑season trade deadline, which usually falls around Week 9–10 at 4 p.m. ET each year. After the deadline, no player trades are allowed until the next league year begins.

When can NFL teams trade?

• Start of trading: Teams can begin trading when the new league year opens in mid‑March (for example, March 13 in 2024).

• End of trading: Trading stops at the NFL trade deadline, set for a Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET in the middle of the season (recent deadlines have been late October or early November, around Week 9–10).

• Offseason agreements: Teams can agree to trades before the league year (for example right after the Super Bowl), but those trades do not become official until the new league year date.

In-season trade deadline basics

• The deadline is a hard cutoff: once it hits, no more trades can be processed that season.

• In recent years, the deadline has been at 4 p.m. ET on a Tuesday, around the start of Week 9 or Week 10.

• After the deadline, teams can only add players via waivers or free agency , not via trade.

Why is there a trade window?

• The trade deadline exists to keep late‑season contenders from stacking rosters with last‑minute star trades, preserving competitive balance.

• Throughout the entire trading window, every move must still comply with the NFL salary cap , which can limit what kind of contracts teams are able to take on.

Simple timeline example

• March: New league year begins → trading opens.

• March through mid‑season: Teams can trade players and draft picks, subject to cap rules.

• Late October / early November (Week 9–10): Trade deadline at 4 p.m. ET → trading closes for the rest of the season.