Rumors in the NFL suggest that the 49ers and Eagles among six teams have submitted proposals to shift the trade deadline.

The latest reports indicate that the last two NFC champions are part of a group of six teams seeking to extend the NFL trade deadline by two weeks. According to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, Washington Commanders, and Detroit Lions are intending to submit a proposal to the NFL, aiming to shift the trade deadline from Week 8 to Week 10.

Jones highlighted that the approval of this proposal during the upcoming annual league meetings in Florida next month is uncertain. There is a notable difference of opinion among both team owners and general managers regarding the necessity of moving the deadline.

Browns general manager Andrew Berry expressed the need for a change, pointing out that the NFL currently has the earliest trade deadline among major professional sports leagues. Berry suggested that the proposal, which would move the deadline to approximately 55% of games played, aligns more closely with the trade deadline practices of other leagues while ensuring the integrity of the season.

An alternative option under consideration is shifting the deadline back by one week to Week 9, which would align with the addition of a 17th game to the NFL schedule.

Jones mentioned that the league’s reservations about the proposal stem from a desire to prevent teams from deliberately losing games (tanking). The concern is that moving the deadline could lead teams to trade away key players if they believe they are out of playoff contention. However, Berry argues that extending the deadline would not necessarily promote tanking and emphasized that the proposed changes would provide more flexibility for all teams without creating a stark divide between competitive and non-competitive teams in the league.