The 2023 NFL trade deadline has come and gone, and various NFL teams are now looking over the big moves that they’ve made to either bolster their rosters or add draft picks for the future.
As we look over the final results of this year’s trade deadline, it’s worth thinking about the NFL teams who chose not to participate by either adding talent or gaining assets by trading away veterans.
It always takes two to tango in these situations, but these five NFL teams arguably could’ve done more to take advantage of deadline season.
It’s not the end of the world for any of these teams, but they’re worth mentioning.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are getting MVP-level play from quarterback Lamar Jackson this season, but the team opted not to do anything to give him additional help on offense. While the team didn’t necessarily need to make a drastic move, you figure that they could’ve tried to add an additional running back or maybe another veteran wide receiver to help with depth should injuries arrive.
The only way for Baltimore to make it to a Super Bowl is to keep pace with the AFC’s other high-powered offenses, and a deadline deal would’ve made you feel better about Jackson having all the help he could possibly get so he’s not stuck doing it all by himself if the other offensive weapons falter.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams might’ve been scared off of making a trade deadline swing because of quarterback Matthew Stafford’s thumb injury. The franchise might also be taking a deep breath after sending so many first-round picks out the door in recent years.
However, if the team is serious about contending in the NFC West this season, the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks made big moves, and the Arizona Cardinals are getting quarterback Kyler Murray back soon.
It feels like the Rams should’ve added to their defensive line to give Aaron Donald some help, or maybe they could’ve found an affordable veteran running back to steady its run game. Either way, standing pat didn’t feel like the right call if any reasonable moves could’ve been made.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals are starting to look more and more like the team we thought they’d be at the beginning of the season, but you could argue that the momentum would be easier to keep with a deadline move.
Cincinnati could’ve tried to find a good veteran tight end to help the passing game, or it could’ve added to the defensive line.
The Bengals’ biggest issue was getting quarterback Joe Burrow healthy, but a spark via deadline trade would’ve given you even more hope in Cincinnati finding its old self.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts have lost quarterback Anthony Richardson for the season, but they’ve remained somewhat competitive with Shane Steichen leading the charge. However, we’re not really sure why they didn’t try to sell any expiring contracts for a team that should clearly be focusing on the future.
Wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. might’ve been the most enticing pending free agent for teams, but you could point to a number of players on the roster who could’ve netted Indy a solid draft pick in return.
It’s not that the Colts should tank, but this feels like a team that missed an opportunity to add draft capital to build up the team when Richardson returns.
New England Patriots
Look, we get that you hypothetically can’t count out any Patriots team while Bill Belichick is calling the shots.
However, New England should’ve tried to amass picks for the future by selling off some expiring contracts. Outside linebacker Josh Uche could’ve fetched the team at least a third-round pick or a fourth-round pick with his youth and solid pass-rushing abilities.
Instead, New England chose to keep the guys they have to try and get more wins in a season that already feels destined to end in disappointment.
