ESPN's 2026 NFL Midseason Report Tracks Deadline Trades, MVP Race

ESPN published its 2026 NFL midseason report this week, compiling trade-deadline outcomes and award-race updates from its NFL Nation reporters and analyst Eric Moody, according to ESPN.com. The report found that the deadline reshuffled at least three rosters, while one marquee trade collapsed over a medical concern.

What moves closed at the 2026 trade deadline?

ESPN's deadline recap, credited to reporter Ben Solak, described the Minnesota Vikings as the team that landed a quarterback, the Kansas City Chiefs as the team that added a wide receiver, and the Los Angeles Chargers as a team that stayed quiet, per ESPN. Separately, wide receiver Keenan Allen told ESPN he felt "a boost" after being traded to the San Francisco 49ers, saying, "I'm running on pure energy." Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay said the team did not trade for a receiver because Davante Adams might return "sooner than later," according to ESPN's Sarah Barshop.

Why did the Vikings trade for Kirk Cousins?

Quarterback Kirk Cousins told ESPN's Kevin Seifert that coach Kevin O'Connell convinced him to accept a trade to Minnesota, saying, "Kevin knows me." The move left Las Vegas with Mendoza as its presumptive starter; Mendoza told ESPN's Ryan McFadden the chance was a "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity and said he had "no inkling" the Cousins deal was coming.

Why did the Broncos-Chargers deal for Henley collapse?

A separate trade sending linebacker Henley from the Chargers to the Broncos fell apart over concerns about the knee, ESPN's Jeff Legwold reported. HTT News previously detailed the breakdown, reporting that the deal unraveled during medical review before it could be finalized, according to HTT News. Denver's defense has otherwise closed out games late this season, per ESPN's reporting.

Who leads ESPN's midseason MVP race?

ESPN's Doug Greenberg reported that Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow moved past Buffalo's Josh Allen as the midseason MVP favorite, with Green Bay's Jordan Love also entering the conversation. ESPN did not publish statistical splits behind the ranking in the material reviewed for this report, so the shift should be read as a qualitative midseason assessment rather than a numbers-driven projection.

Which team faces the most pressure in the second half?

ESPN's Rich Cimini reported that the New York Jets chose to keep their roster largely intact at the deadline despite a 2-7 record, a decision the team framed around developing talent already on hand rather than selling veteran pieces. By contrast, ESPN's Tim McManus reported the Philadelphia Eagles' trade haul is "likely to age well over time," and the Jacksonville Jaguars climbed the Super Bowl odds board, according to ESPN staff reporting.

By the numbers

• 2-7 — New York Jets' record at the time ESPN reported the team's deadline approach, per Rich Cimini.
• 86 — Age at which former Pittsburgh Steelers running back and longtime assistant coach Hoak died, according to ESPN's obituary coverage.

What else stood out in ESPN's report?

ESPN also reported that Dallas Cowboys players continue to credit defensive tackle Quinnen Williams as "a great leader" a year after his trade to the team, per Todd Archer. Cincinnati's Bengals player Taylor apologized publicly for a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles that fell through, telling ESPN, "It was on our end," according to Ben Baby's reporting. On a non-roster note, ESPN reported that Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his wife, Brittany, are expecting their fourth child, per Brianna Williams.

Order of deadline-week developments, per ESPN's reporting

1. Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell pitches Cousins on a trade; Cousins accepts.
2. Broncos-Chargers trade for Henley collapses over knee concerns, per Jeff Legwold.
3. Pittsburgh mourns Hoak's death at 86.
4. Newly traded 49ers receiver Allen says he is "running on pure energy."
5. Raiders' Mendoza says he had "no inkling" of the Cousins trade.
6. Rams' McVay explains the team passed on a receiver trade, citing Adams' possible return.
7. Bengals' Taylor apologizes for the nixed Eagles trade.
8. ESPN's Ben Solak publishes deadline winners and losers: Chiefs add a receiver, Vikings add a quarterback, Chargers stay quiet.

ESPN's report did not include full statistical breakdowns for every team's quarterback production or fantasy outlook in the material reviewed here; readers seeking those figures should consult ESPN's full midseason report directly.

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