The Bucs did not make a move at the trade deadline, but do not be frustrated. This was largely expected; however, that does not mean they were not impacted by other moves made around the league. Several moves have either a direct or an indirect impact on Tampa Bay.

Saints Make Two Trades

Mickey Loomis finally did it. After losing quarterback Derek Carr to retirement over the offseason, Loomis had to pivot to a rebuild at quarterback. Now at 1-8, Loomis has started to fully lean into the rebuild. He made two trades to secure draft capital, selling on a former first-round pick and grabbing more capital for a talented wide receiver.

OG Trevor Penning to the Chargers for a 2027 6th Round Pick

WR Rashid Shaheed to the Seahawks for a 2026 4th and 2026 5th Round Pick

After trying to make Trevor Penning work at multiple spots across the offensive line, New Orleans finally gave up on their former first rounder. They shipped him off to the Chargers, who have now lost both of their bookend tackles for the season. Penning figures to move back to tackle. That is an upgrade for the Chargers because their depth chart is so decimated at that position, but how much of an upgrade it is remains to be seen.

When healthy, Rashid Shaheed is a productive receiver who can access multiple levels of the field — but especially deep. 17% of his career receptions are on targets of 20+ air yards and his 4.2 air yards per reception is an above average mark.

Saints WR-PR Rashid Shaheed – Photo by: USA Today

The immediate impact to the Bucs is that a division rival who they face later this year is now down two starters. This only increases the odds Tampa Bay wins the week 14 matchup at home against New Orleans. But the news is not all good for the Bucs.

The Bucs barely beat the Seahawks in a shootout just last month. Now Seattle gets a deep threat to complement their current All-World receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The Seahawks are currently third in the NFL in passing efficiency and just added a dangerous weapon to get even better. Seattle currently sits atop the NFC West standings and hold the third seed in the NFC. For The Numbers has their chances of making the playoffs at 96%. They have the Bucs at 90.6%.

These two teams could meet again in the postseason with the Seahawks being even more talented.

Cowboys Try To Cover Up Past Mistakes

Rather than give talented edge rusher Micah Parsons $45 million per year to start this season, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones opted to trade him for two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. To no one’s surprise the Cowboys’ defense has been abysmal this season. Jones, who loves being the center of attention, made two moves at the deadline to try and improve that defense.

2027 1st Round Pick and a 2026 2nd Round Pick + DT Mazi Smith for DT Quinnen Williams

2026 7th Round Pick for LB Logan Wilson

The Cowboys are still operating like they are in playoff contention. They are currently three games off the division-leading Eagles and two games out of the seventh seed in the NFC. Williams is one of the best defensive tackles in football and will certainly upgrade both Dallas’ pass rush and their run fitting issues. Wilson is still solid at fitting the run himself, but I do not think he will be any kind of panacea when it comes to helping out their issues in coverage. Dallas got better with these moves.

Still, this feels like too little, too late.

The Bucs do not face the Cowboys for the rest of the season. But Dallas does face Philadelphia and Detroit later this season. An improved defense could help them deliver a loss to either of those teams that could be jockeying with the Bucs for playoff seeding.

As an aside, the Cowboys have effectively traded Micah Parsons, Mazi Smith and a 2026 2nd round pick for Kenny Clark, Quinnen Williams and a first-round pick. They are paying Clark and Williams $88.75 million from 2026-2027 whereas the Packers are paying Parsons $86.007 million over the same time period. Plus, Green Bay has Parsons under contract for an additional two seasons. The Cowboys have given up incredible value in this entire process and lost half a season in the process. Incredible stuff from Jones.

Bears Build Depth

Bears Acquire EDGE Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and a 2026 7th Round Pick for a 2026 6th Round Pick

A familiar face for Bucs fans was dealt at the deadline as former Tampa Bay first round pick Joe Tryon-Shoyinka went to the Bears as they make a playoff push. This is a low impact acquisition for Chicago. JTS will help as a depth rusher but does not figure to be a huge needle mover for Chicago. Tangentially, this move is low impact for the Bucs as the two teams do not face each other in the regular season and if they matched up in the playoffs, JTS probably will not play a ton of snaps.

Bucs OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Eagles Make All The Moves

CB Michael Carter II and a 2027 7th round Pick for WR John Metchie III and 2027 6th Round Pick

CB Jaire Alexander and a 2027 7th Round Pick for 2026 6th Round Pick

EDGE Jaelan Phillips for 2026 6th Round Pick

Philadelphia lost two important pieces of their 2024 defense in Darius Slay and Josh Sweat to free agency. They were hopeful they could weather those losses with natural development from young edge rushers Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith along with contributions from free agent Josh Uche along with solid play from veteran Adoree’ Jackson and youngster Kelee Ringo. For various reasons, those hopes have not come to fruition.

Eagles’ general manager Howie Roseman has never been one to shy away from trying to improve his club midseason. In 2017, Roseman gave up a fourth-round pick for running back Jay Ajayi. Ajayi averaged 59 yards per game and 5.3 yards per carry through the playoffs. In 2018, he traded a third-round pick for wide receiver Golden Tate. Tate averaged 3.7 catches and 34.2 yards per game while scoring two touchdowns over 10 regular season and playoff games.

Eagles GM Howie Roseman – Photo by: USA Today

In 2019, he gave up a fourth-round pick for linebacker Gernard Avery. Avery played just 34 defensive snaps for the Eagles that season. In 2022, he swapped a fourth-round pick for pass rusher Robert Quinn. Quinn recorded just 10 pressures and no sacks down the stretch for Philadelphia. And in 2023, he traded a whole host of assets for safety Kevin Byard. Byard contributed quite a few counting stats but was unable to help fix the systemic issues with the Eagles’ defense as they eventually lost to the Bucs in the wild card game 32-9.

That checkered history has not dissuaded him from trying to gain a competitive edge though. Jaelan Phillips is the real get here as he is comfortably the best edge on the Eagles’ roster now. Phillips should allow the Eagles to play more four-down-and-go defense like defensive coordinator Vic Fangio wants to employ. Michael Carter II and Jaire Alexander’s best days are most likely behind them. But if either can give anything resembling reliable snaps next to Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell, then they are worth the fliers that were taken on them. Cornerback play is notoriously volatile, so it is not unheard of for one or both of them to string together a few good games.

The impact these moves have on the Bucs is two-fold. An improved Eagles defense helps them win more games and potentially keeps them ahead of the Bucs in playoff seeding. It also makes the Eagles a tougher out should the two teams meet in the playoffs.