The 2025 NFL trade deadline has passed, but that doesn’t mean we can’t talk about what could have happened. While the Cardinals weren’t directly involved in any rumors or deals, it was reported that one of their division rivals was nearing a deal to send their star pass rusher to a three-time Super Bowl champion.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Seattle Seahawks were as close as ever to sending edge rusher Boye Mafe to the Kansas City Chiefs but backed out at the last second.
“A near deal: At Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline, the Chiefs made a late strong push to acquire Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe, per sources,” Schefter said. “Some thought the deal would get done; one source even thought it was completed. But right before the deadline, Seattle opted to hold onto Mafe.”
Mafe, 26, is in the final year of his rookie contract and he is set to hit free agency this offseason. It was known that the Seahawks were fielding calls for him ahead of the deadline, along with cornerback Riq Woolen. In the end, Seattle, which sits at 7–2 and in first place in the NFC West, decided to roll the dice on the 2025 season.
As a matter of fact, the Seahawks just played the Arizona Cardinals this past weekend, routing them 44–22, where their defense stole the show. Mafe recorded two tackles (one solo, one assisted), as well as a sack of quarterback Jacoby Brissett — his first of the season.
Seahawks general manager John Schneider has established an exceptional defense: Boye Mafe, Devon Witherspoon, Riq Woolen, Leonard Williams, and Demarcus Lawrence wreak havoc on opposing offensive coordinators game plans, not to mention, they have one of the loudest fanbases in sports.
The NFC West remains one of the best divisions in football, as three of the four teams have at least six wins. Unfortunately, the Cardinals are not one of those teams, as they sit in the rearview mirror of the standings.