NFL Week 9 latest intel, buzz questions, trade deadline news - ESPN

It's Week 9 of the 2026 NFL season, which means two things. First, we're about to hit midseason. Second, the trade deadline is right around the corner. And insiders Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano have been calling sources around the league for the latest news and notable buzz.

The Ravens are in a tough spot, dropping to 4-4 and losing not only QB1 Lamar Jackson but also QB2 Tyler Huntley to injuries. What's next for Baltimore? Will the Ravens focus their attention on 2027 or still try to turn things around this season in a tight AFC North? Out west, what's going on with Justin Herbert? The Chargers obviously have big problems at 0-7, and Herbert hasn't played well. What are we hearing on his struggles?

And what about trade buzz? What's the latest around the league? Which teams could be active, and which players could be on the move before the Tuesday deadline? It's all here, as Jeremy and Dan answer big questions, hand out useful fantasy football nuggets and empty their reporting notebooks heading into Week 9.

Jump to:
Next steps for the Ravens
Buzz on Herbert's struggles
Deadline intel | Fantasy advice
More notes and nuggets

Graziano: Baltimore isn't a throw-in-the-towel type of organization. My sense is that the Ravens will work to solve the problem and will be open to a number of ideas at quarterback with Lamar Jackson (thumb) and Tyler Huntley (toe) out. Undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano has been announced as their starter for Thursday night against Jacksonville, but if, for example, the Cardinals are done with Jacoby Brissett, Baltimore would be a team I'd expect to at least look into bringing in Brissett for Week 10 on. (Update: The Ravens are trading for Brissett, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.)

Fowler: In the short term,