As the November 4 trade deadline nears, teams will soon be making calls to ramp up their rosters. If Raheem Morris’ words are to be taken at face value, however, the Atlanta Falcons may be one of the few teams standing pat.
“Terry (Fontenot) and all those guys in our pro department and all those type of things, they’re always looking to upgrade,” Morris said. “So, there’s nothing dire or nothing that we’re going to actively search out. But there’s always a possibility of anything that can happen.”
While that statement may need to be taken with a grain of salt, it probably doesn’t sit well with most Falcons fans—especially with a glaring need at wide receiver following the release of Ray-Ray McCloud.
The good news for Atlanta, should they look to make a deal, is that thanks to a deeper and more stable group of edge rushers, they could use Arnold Ebiketie as a valuable trade chip, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Matt Bowen.
Arnold Ebiketie Listed as Atlanta Falcons’ Top Player to Trade
The Atlanta Falcons are in a position they haven’t been in years—with a reliable pass rush. After boldly drafting both Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. in the first round, Ebiketie’s name has emerged as a potential trade candidate, per Fowler.
“Ebiketie has had trade interest dating back to the offseason. The 2022 second-round pick is on an expiring contract, and rookies James Pearce Jr. and Jalon Walker are a big part of Atlanta’s future at edge rusher. The Falcons don’t necessarily want to trade Ebiketie but typically at least listen to offers when presented,” Fowler wrote.
Considering Walker and Pearce are still just getting their feet wet and the Falcons’ defense looks the best it has in years, trading Ebiketie might not be the wisest move—despite his expiring contract. That’s likely why ESPN lists his odds of being dealt at just 25%.
However, it’s worth noting that Ebiketie did make a very cryptic post on X on October 21.
“News on Ak coming soon,” he wrote.
Arnold Ebiketie Linked to Cowboys, Bears
ESPN listed two teams—the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears—as potential trade destinations for Ebiketie. Dallas makes plenty of sense after trading Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers, while Chicago recently released defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon but should be getting Austin Booker back soon.
“Defenses could use Ebiketie as a nickel rusher. He doesn’t have a sack yet in 2025, but he had exactly six in each of the past two seasons,” Bowen wrote.
Ebiketie has started three games this season, appearing in all six. He’s totaled 17 tackles, one tackle for loss, and one quarterback hit. In four seasons, he’s accounted for 14.5 sacks.
The question now becomes what either of those teams could offer Atlanta in return—especially at receiver. The Cowboys won’t part ways with CeeDee Lamb or George Pickens, leaving Ryan Flournoy, KaVontae Turpin, or Jalen Tolbert as more realistic options.
As for the Bears, Rome Odunze, DJ Moore, and Luther Burden III are locks to stay put, leaving only Olamide Zaccheaus as a possible piece.
Those are likely the most realistic trade scenarios unless the Falcons are willing to sweeten the deal—whether through additional player compensation or draft capital.
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