CBS Sports Grades 2026 NFL Trade Deadline: Rams and Chargers Disappoint

The 2026 NFL trade deadline officially came to a close on November 10, marking the end of the league's mid-season transaction window. With front offices no longer able to swap personnel, CBS Sports has published a complete report card evaluating how every franchise handled their roster management. The comprehensive review highlights a stark contrast between the league's most successful negotiators and those who left analysts wanting more.

Four Franchises Earn Top Marks

Navigating the mid-season market requires a careful balance of addressing immediate needs while protecting future assets. According to the CBS Sports evaluations, only a small fraction of the league successfully mastered this balance during the recent transaction period.

Out of all the organizations evaluated, exactly four teams earned a prestigious 'A' grade for their deadline activity. These four front offices separated themselves from the rest of the pack by executing strategies that earned the highest possible praise from analysts. While the majority of the league settled for average marks, this elite quartet maximized their opportunities before the window closed.

Rams and Chargers Underwhelm

On the opposite end of the evaluation spectrum, the Los Angeles market faced significant criticism for its deadline approach. The newly published report card specifically identified both the Rams and the Chargers as major disappointments following the November 10 cutoff.

Neither Los Angeles franchise managed to impress in the CBS Sports grades, falling well short of the standard set by the four top-tier organizations. Evaluators determined that both the Rams and Chargers failed to capitalize on the mid-season window, leaving their respective fan bases and analysts underwhelmed by their strategic decisions.

Finalizing 2026 Rosters

The release of the comprehensive CBS Sports report card underscores the finality of the November cutoff. Because the 2026 NFL trade deadline has now passed, all franchises must move forward with their current personnel.

Teams can no longer rely on external trades to solve roster issues or bolster their depth charts for a postseason push. Whether they earned an 'A' grade or landed among the disappointments like the Rams and Chargers, every front office has made its final significant moves of the year. The focus now shifts entirely to the field, where these post-deadline rosters will be tested over the remainder of the schedule.