NFL Buzz for Week 8: The Latest on the Trade Deadline, the Jets’ Rough Start and QB Futures

Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season has arrived, and ESPN insiders Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano have been in constant communication with sources across the league to bring you the latest news and insights on critical situations. This week, their focus is on two struggling AFC East teams: the winless (0-7) New York Jets and the floundering (1-6) Miami Dolphins. Are major changes on the horizon for the Jets, potentially starting with a new quarterback? And with the November 4th trade deadline looming, how many veteran Dolphins players might find themselves traded if their struggles persist?

Fowler and Graziano also checked in on the Kansas City Chiefs, who seem to be regaining their championship form. Now that the offense is starting to click, what strategic moves might Kansas City make before the trade deadline to bolster their chances for another Super Bowl run? Additionally, they examined several intriguing offseason quarterback contract situations and how teams might navigate these complex financial decisions.

Here’s a comprehensive look at the pressing questions and insider notes as Week 8 kicks off:

What’s Next for the Jets?

The Jets’ disastrous 0-7 start has many speculating about potential changes, including benching quarterback Justin Fields.

Fowler: While sweeping changes are possible, I don’t believe coach Aaron Glenn is in immediate danger. The Jets conducted an extensive coaching search that ultimately led them to Glenn, a highly sought-after candidate in the 2025 cycle. While the results haven’t been there, and he has made some mistakes, the Jets have remained surprisingly competitive despite their struggles at quarterback. Five of their seven losses have been by a combined 19 points, and the defense is showing signs of improvement after a sluggish start. I don’t attribute the offensive woes solely to Glenn.

Furthermore, at the owners’ meetings, Jets owner Woody Johnson seems to be losing patience with the Fields experiment.

Graziano: Glenn is at least considering benching Fields in favor of veteran Tyrod Taylor, as he directly addressed this at his Monday press conference. However, he emphasized that he hasn’t made a final decision and wants to consult with other coaches who have faced similar situations. One of the key considerations is that Taylor, at 36, is not a long-term solution for the franchise, while Fields theoretically could be if he addresses some of his weaknesses. If the Jets bench Fields for Taylor now, they are essentially giving up on a quarterback they guaranteed $30 million to in the offseason, suggesting the search for a long-term solution will resume next spring. This is a difficult decision to make.

Ultimately, I’m unsure what Glenn will decide or what the best course of action is for the Jets. If they continue to start Fields and he continues to struggle, they risk alienating the rest of the team. On the other hand, benching Fields before Halloween would be an admission that their most important offseason roster decision was a failure. Personally, I don’t see the benefit of playing Taylor. They are 0-7 and not realistically playoff contenders. I would focus on making Fields viable and getting to the end of the season to obtain a full year’s worth of data to evaluate him. Of course, that’s easier said than done when the losses aren’t on my record.

Fowler: I’ve spoken to numerous NFL coaches who believe the Jets should have prioritized Fields’ running ability earlier. He has rushed 42 times in six starts this season, averaging just three designed rushes per game over his last three. In Week 1, Fields had nine designed runs, contributing to a 32-point offensive output. From 2022 to 2024, Fields averaged roughly 10 rushes per game as a full-time starter.

"That’s what he’s most comfortable with," said an NFL assistant coach who has worked with Fields. "And then you can throw him off play-action with more success. I don’t care if you use a high-school-style offense, but he needs to run."

However, that might be irrelevant now. If Glenn intends to make a change, he should do it soon. And Johnson publicly criticizing Fields makes it challenging to revert back to him. Don’t anticipate fireworks with Taylor, but he can at least run a rhythmic passing game.

Graziano: I agree that they need to utilize Fields as a runner more. That was difficult against the Broncos, who effectively limit opposing rushing quarterbacks, but they should have been able to do it against the Panthers.

Fowler: With the trade deadline less than two weeks away, expect the Jets to explore trading veterans to acquire draft capital and build for the future. Edge rusher Jermaine Johnson, cornerback Michael Carter II, and running back Breece Hall are among the players generating interest.

Graziano: I also believe the Jets will be active sellers, so the players surrounding Fields or Taylor after November 5th could be significantly reduced. This paints a bleak picture, and I believe the Jets’ front office and coaching staff are working to make the second half of the season tolerable to evaluate the roster effectively. If they don’t identify which players are and aren’t part of their future plans after Glenn’s first year, the season will be a waste.

Could the Chiefs Add at Deadline?

Graziano: The Chiefs are usually active at the trade deadline, often adding a receiver. However, assuming everyone remains healthy, they seem content with their current receiving corps. I also don’t get the sense they’re desperate for a running back, as has been speculated since the season began.

If the Chiefs make a move, it will likely be on defense, potentially for a veteran edge rusher, or possibly on the offensive line. Rookie tackle Josh Simmons’ situation remains uncertain, and a couple of other linemen left Sunday’s game against the Raiders due to injury. While it wasn’t readily apparent because of the Raiders’ performance, if guard Trey Smith’s back injury becomes a long-term issue, it would create a significant void for an offense that’s starting to perform well.

Fowler: The injuries to Smith and right tackle Jawaan Taylor appear minor, and I believe Kansas City is comfortable with their offense. The Chiefs have been planning for a receiving corps of Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Hollywood Brown, so it’s no coincidence that the trio received 18 of the team’s 34 passing targets Sunday, with Rice getting 10 himself. JuJu Smith-Schuster and Tyquan Thornton are reliable complementary options. The running back situation seems less certain, but Isiah Pacheco is gaining momentum, and rookie Brashard Smith’s workload is gradually increasing.

However, I do believe the Chiefs could add defensive linemen, as they are depleted on the interior.

Graziano: They have added defensive linemen in the past, such as Melvin Ingram in 2021. That’s the kind of move I could see. Since arriving in Kansas City, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has a strong track record of improving the defense as the season progresses and having it prepared for the postseason. Therefore, he has earned significant trust. But adding personnel up front is never a bad idea. What about the rest of that defense?

Fowler: The Chiefs’ cornerback room is one to watch leading up to the deadline. Free agent addition Kristian Fulton is a healthy scratch. Could they find a way to trade him and his two-year, $20 million deal? Rookie Nohl Williams is emerging, and fourth-year player Joshua Williams could have trade value.

Dolphins Who Could Be Dealt

Fowler: I’ll say two: a pass rusher and one other. The Dolphins have Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb, with Phillips having the most trade value among Miami’s edge rushers. Several personnel departments have been impressed with his potential, which was derailed by injury. Miami doesn’t appear ready to offer the 2026 free agent an extension. This could be similar to Washington trading Chase Young and Montez Sweat at the deadline two years ago.

The Dolphins are receiving calls about wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, but don’t have plans to trade him at this point. That can always change, but with Tyreek Hill injured, Waddle is a building block who can fit into any offense, which is helpful for a team heading for major transition. He’s owed $36 million over 2025-26, which is reasonable for high-end players at his position. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is also on my radar. So, while I’m not sure a complete house-cleaning is in order, it would surprise me if the Dolphins stood pat. This is a team with roster concerns, and those eight 2026 draft picks won’t address them all.

Graziano: I agree with you about Waddle, particularly since his contract makes him harder to trade. Jaylen Wright, who has fallen behind rookie Ollie Gordon II on the depth chart, could also be a player who moves. There will be teams interested in acquiring a running back, with the Chargers and Texans being two teams I’ve heard mentioned. And there are sure to be others.

Either way, this Dolphins season has not gone as planned, and there’s a lot of talk about significant change. If they’re looking ahead to next year as a reset/rebuild scenario, they’re going to listen to calls on almost anyone. My biggest question is what they’ll do at quarterback. Tua Tagovailoa has $54 million in guaranteed money coming in 2026 and seems to have regressed significantly. Can Miami rebuild around him with any degree of confidence? Is there a chance that the Dolphins could package him with a draft pick and get a team to trade for him?

Trade-deadline talk is easy when we just look at guys whose contract situations make them expendable for a team going nowhere. But I’d love to know what happens if they decide to blow things all the way up.

Fowler: Observers can see where this is probably headed with coach Mike McDaniel barring a turnaround, but the Tagovailoa conversation is more complex. Trading that contract doesn’t seem feasible. Miami can manage the salary cap, but the guarantee is a burden. No team wants to absorb a fraction of that because they don’t have to. Any form of release triggers a $54 million payout, minus offsets.

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