If you are reading this and you're an NFL player, there's a chance you've received the OK to seek a trade this offseason.
The 2025 NFL combine has been riddled with players receiving permission to explore a trade. It's a clunky way of saying that a player wants out from a team, but that team isn't certain it'll trade him. It could be a scheme issue, as in the case of Patriots defensive tackle Davon Godchaux. Or it could be an accounting issue, as in the case of Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen. It might've been a value issue with quarterback Matthew Stafford, but he reached an agreement with the Rams on a restructured deal (we still included a trade offer for him at the bottom).
In all instances, the player and his agent are now free to speak to other teams about potential trade packages and contract adjustments. This can help the player and the team get a better understanding of the player's potential market and bring some clarity to the otherwise murky trade waters.
For the players who have received permission to seek a trade, I've tried to identify why he is (or was) available, the unique features of his circumstance and how that affects his potential market. I've also tried to find the optimal trade for each player, even if a successful deal is unlikely.
Jump to a player:
Samuel | Kupp | Jackson | Landry
Allen | Godchaux | Stafford
Deebo Samuel Sr., WR, San Francisco 49ers
Why he's on the market: Samuel asked the 49ers in his exit interview to find a new team for his services. This isn't the first time his name has come up in trade rumors -- they've been percolating for years as Samuel has negotiated contract extensions and the 49ers are getting younger at the position. What makes this trade request significant is the timing relative to Samuel's contract.
