When is the NFL Trade Deadline? Jets, Rams to target Tony Romo?

One of the few things the NFL doesn’t do as well as the three other major pro sports leagues in North America is trades. There is little to no trade deadline buzz each year in the NFL, despite some relatively big names being swapped in recent years.

The Patriots are on the few teams that treats the league trade deadline like it’s the NBA or MLB as in October of2010 they traded away wide receiver Randy Moss and in November of 2012 they traded for cornerback Aqib Talib. Here are some other big ones.In October of 2011, Carson Palmer was traded from Cincinnati to Oakland; in October of 2008 the Lions traded wide receiver Roy Williams to the Cowboys; and in October of 2004 wide receiver Keenan McCardell was dealt from Tampa Bay to San Diego.

This year’s NFL trade deadline is Nov. 1, 2016 at 4 p.m. Eastern.

So, will any big names be moved around Halloween? Probably not, but for poops and laughs let’s take a look at the case of one certain injured Cowboys quarterback.

Tony Romo is set to come back to the Cowboys after their Week 7 bye. That means a Week 8 return against the Eagles on Sunday, Oct. 30. Interesting timing, huh?

Assuming Dak Prescott continues to lead the Cowboys to victory (still a big assumption despite the rookie not having thrown a pick all season and already owning a 4-1 record), there will be a quarterback controversy on that Sunday against Philly. Should the Cowboys roll with the young gun who is getting the job done now, or should they turn the reigns back to the old horse?

Interested teams

Jerry Jones used to be known as the most brazen executive in football, and trading away the face of his franchise during a season would once again give him that label. Here are some teams that could be interested.

New York Jets: Fitzpatrick was decent against the Steelers on Sunday, completing 25-of-38 for 255 yards and a touchdown. He just wasn’t special, and the Jets absolutely need a boat to lift all tides right now. Romo would instantly energize a Jets offense that has scored an average of just 11 points in the past three games (all losses).

Carolina Panthers: If Cam Newton’s injury issues persist, would Carolina dial Dallas? The Panthers, currently sitting at just 1-4, are too talented to not be in the mix on Nov. 1. If it seems like a lost season for Newton at that point but the Panthers still believe they could make a run, looking at a Romo trade would not be the craziest idea.

Los Angeles Rams: Case Keenum was brutal in the Rams’ 30-19 home loss to the Bills on Sunday. Sitting at 3-2, Jeff Fisher certainly thinks he has a playoff-level defense and weapons on offense. At QB? Not so much.

Arizona Cardinals: Carson Palmer has not looked right this season even when healthy, and Drew Stanton is not leading this team through January. The Cardinals have the weapons on offense, they just lack a top-notch signal-caller right now.