The end of the World Series marks the beginning of the Hot Stove season, and many MLB players are more than ready to get started in free agency.

Several big-name veterans – including slugger Pete Alonso and closer Edwin Diaz of the New York Mets – are among the first players to exercise opt-out clauses in their existing contracts and take the plunge into the free agent market, according to multiple reports.

There aren’t many surprises among the players who were eligible to opt out. Teams have until Thursday to give their impending free agents a qualifying offer worth just over $22 million for the 2026 season. They have a week to either accept the one-year deal or become a free agent.

Here are some of the players who have chosen to opt out of their contracts:

1B Pete Alonso, New York Mets
RP Edwin Diaz, New York Mets
1B/OF Cody Bellinger, New York Yankees
3B Alex Bregman, Boston Red Sox
SP Michael King, San Diego Padres
RP Robert Suarez, San Diego Padres
SS Ha-Seong Kim, Atlanta Braves
SP Lucas Giolito, Boston Red Sox
SS Jorge Mateo, Baltimore Orioles

Here are some of the players who have chosen to opt into their contracts:

OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Arizona Diamondbacks ($13 million)

The Los Angeles Dodgers just accomplished a feat that MLB hasn’t seen since the 2000 Yankees, winning back-to-back World Series titles. The Dodgers have now won three of the past six World Series titles.

The 2025 World Series was one of the most thrilling in recent memory. Despite the Dodgers being outscored in the series 34-26, the Dodgers saw timely hitting, great defense, and a few lucky breaks to emerge victorious in seven games. Between the 18-inning thriller in Game 3, the unlikely game-ending double play in Game 6, and the myriad of close calls that could’ve ended Game 7 early, the Dodgers are in desperate need of some rest and relaxation following their World Series win.

Enjoy the celebration with the full video of the 2025 Dodgers World Series parade. Here are the best moments from the festivities.

Clayton Kershaw gives his goodbye speech

Kershaw started his speech by saying he’d told Freddie Freeman he wasn’t going to cry. He then said, ‘I don’t know if that’s true.’

Kershaw did keep his composure together mostly though. He reveled in the fact that he was retiring a Dodger and had been a Dodger for the entirety of his career. He also loved the fact that he was retiring a champion, particularly because he didn’t get to pitch during the 2024 World Series.

Kershaw was the last person to speak amongst the Dodgers. The cermony ended with him calling Dodgers fans ‘the best in the world.’

Ohtani looking for a third ring

Kiké Hernandez calls Dodgers a ‘dynasty’

With three World Series titles in six years, Hernandez has seen a lot of winning. He opened his speech by saying ‘My teammates have been humble, but I think it’s time we talk some sh–.’ He shouted to the crowd, ‘We’re a dynasty!’

Miguel Rojas makes everyone wish Roki Sasaki a happy birthday

World Series MVP addresses Dodger Stadium

Ice Cube presents World Series trophy at Dodger Stadium

The parade may be over, but the festivities have just begun. The team has made its way to Dodger Stadium where thousands of fans were waiting to cheer on their team still. Speeches are nearly underway, and to kick off the festivities, famous LA-based rapper Ice Cube made his way into the stadium in a vintage blue vehicle.

He drove around the stadium in style, before stepping out and being handed the Commissioner’s Trophy. He then spent the next few minutes hyping the crowd up before handing the mic to team owner Mark Walter.

Dodgers fans honoring Clayton Kershaw

Although the parade is a time for celebration, there is some bittersweetness as this marks the end of Clayton Kershaw’s career. The three-time Cy Young winner and former MVP announced earlier this year that 2025 would be his final MVP season.

Dodgers fans are making sure to let him know he is appreciated though as he heads into retirement.

Blake Snell hits the 6-7

Much to the chagrin of every parent and teacher across the country right now, Dodgers’ pitcher Blake Snell hit the popular ‘6-7’ meme. The lefty was seen moving his hands up and down in front of him, the key movement involved in the meme.

Shohei Ohtani already thinking about No. 3

Despite the celebrations ongoing, Shohei Ohtani already has his sights set on another championship. Through his interpreter, the star said, ‘I’m already thinking about the third time we’re going to do this.’

Dodgers fans got to the parade early

Being one of the most densely populated cities in America, Los Angeles has hundreds of thousands of Dodgers fans, many of whom were more than happy to show out for their favorite team. The celebrations for these fans started very early, with some fans arriving hours before the parade started in order to get a good view.

What is the Dodgers World Series parade route?

The parade will go through much of downtown Los Angeles, with the celebration starting on Broadway and Temple Street before moving through Temple, Grand Avenue, 7th Street, Figueroa Street, and finally ending at Dodger Stadium.

How long is the World Series parade?

The parade itself is expected to last for 45 minutes. However, the fanfare and celebration that comes both before and after the actual parade is expected to make the event much longer. Last year, the Dodgers’ celebration lasted multiple hours.

When is the parade expected to start?

The parade will start at approximately 2 p.m. ET or 11 a.m. PT.

How many World Series titles have the Dodgers won?

The Los Angeles Dodgers have won nine World Series titles, tied with the Athletics and Red Sox for the most in MLB history (Yankees, 27; Cardinals, 11).

Prior to this series against the Blue Jays, the Dodgers were 0-7 when trailing 3-2 in the World Series.

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Brent Key to Clark Lea, one question applies to several top potential coaching candidates: Would they leave their alma mater?
If Florida can’t land Lane Kiffin, Jeff Brohm would be great backup plan.
Kalani Sitake is a great fit for BYU. That doesn’t mean he wouldn’t fit elsewhere.

Another Sunday, another firing. This time, Auburn wrote the buyout check.

Just imagine what Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry would say if he presided in a state where a public institution has forked over millions in failure money three times in the past six seasons.

As poorly as Bryan Harsin and Hugh Freeze fared, I consider Auburn a damaged program but not an irreparable one.

Beyond Lane Kiffin, one question dominates coaching carousel

Two questions loom over this high-stakes spin of the coaching carousel. The first is obvious: To whom will Lane Kiffin award his rose?

The other question major question: How many coaches are willing to leave for their alma mater?

Because, if certain thriving coaches are up for leaving the school where they earned their degree, then the candidate pool just got a lot deeper and better for schools like Florida, LSU, Auburn and Penn State.

Here are five coaches excelling at their alma mater who would make a good hire for a certain SEC or Big Ten school:

Brent Key, Georgia Tech

Key’s been a revelation for his alma mater. His Yellow Jackets are a playoff contender, even after losing to NC State. His teams run the ball well. Can you think of a school that might appreciate that? Perhaps the school where Bo Jackson played?

Would fit great at: Auburn.

If Key isn’t a top target for Auburn, the school’s doing this wrong. Birmingham and Atlanta are pivotal recruiting outposts for Auburn. Key grew up near Birmingham, and his Georgia Tech tenure gives him Atlanta bona fides. He’d restore physicality missing from Auburn’s offensive line. As badly as Auburn needs quarterback improvement, Tigers fans also appreciate a good ground game. Jimbo Fisher couldn’t figure out what to do with quarterback Haynes King. Playing for Key, King became a star.

Jeff Brohm, Louisville

Brohm’s done nothing but win at places where that’s not automatic. He’s responsible for Western Kentucky’s best season in its Bowl Subdivision history, going 12-2 there. At Purdue, he matched the best season of the past 25 years, and he beat Ohio State. Now, he’s beaten Miami and lifted his alma mater into playoff contention.

Would fit great at: Florida.

If Florida can land Kiffin, he’s the obvious choice. If it can’t, then stick a visor on Brohm’s head. Like Steve Spurrier, Brohm’s a former quarterback who knows how to develop the position he played. He’s also built the ACC’s best defense at Louisville. He’s not the Head Ball Coach, but he’s a good ball coach.

Clark Lea, Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt will enter the second weekend of November as a playoff contender. Alert the College Football Hall of Fame. Lea beat two of the SEC schools hiring, LSU this year and Auburn last year. If he’s smart — and, hey, he went to Vanderbilt — he’s not thinking about anchoring down on the West End. He’s thinking of how to parlay his success with Diego Pavia into a better job.

Would fit great at: Penn State.

Yes, I know, Penn State just fired a coach who came from Vanderbilt, but so what? Is that a reason it should hire Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz, who recently lost to Vanderbilt, instead of Lea? Vanderbilt ranks second in the SEC in yards per play. Think Penn State couldn’t use some of that offense? Lea also spent a few years running the defense at Notre Dame, which emulates a Big Ten school. If only Pavia could play forever, that’d be a bonus to hiring Lea.

Kalani Sitake, Brigham Young

Rhett Lashlee generates a lot of buzz on hot boards. How quickly we forget Sitake’s Cougars beat SMU — on the road — last season. Sitake beats a lot of teams. BYU got snubbed by the CFP committee last season, but here are the Cougars in contention again, in their third season in the Big 12. Sitake’s on pace to reach 10-plus victories for the fourth time in the past six seasons.

Would possibly fit at: Auburn, Penn State or LSU.

You might be wondering, would a coach born in Tonga and raised in Hawaii who’s a member of the Church of Latter-Day Saints fit in the South or Pennsylvania? Don’t miss the forest for the trees. Sitake earns high acclaim for his leadership and ability to connect with players. He’s an excellent culture builder and a fun personality, the opposite of what Auburn had in Harsin, the stiff it hired the last time it looked west. Heck, Cajuns on the bayou might fall in love with the affable Sitake.

Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State

Dillingham does not possess the track record of a veteran winner like Brohm or Sitake. Perhaps it’s fair to wonder whether last year’s 11-win ascent and playoff berth will be remembered as an aberration or the first sign of a star coach. His high-energy persona neatly suits him at his alma mater. Would a moribund program enjoy a shot of Dilly, Dilly?

Would possibly fit at: Auburn.

Dillingham would be a familiar face at Auburn. He got a dose of the Plains as Gus Malzahn’s offensive coordinator in 2019. His roots trace to the desert, but he’s toured the South with stops at Memphis and Florida State, and he built a reputation for being a good recruiter. Auburn went with a past-his-prime coach in Freeze. Dillingham, 35, would be a 180-pivot.

Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s senior national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer.

Keep up with the latest news and analysis from college football’s top two conferences: Check out our Big Ten Hub and our SEC Hub to get school-by-school coverage from across the USA TODAY Network.

Texas climbs to No. 15, Oklahoma rises to No. 11 and Georgia Tech drops to No. 12 in a topsy-turvy USA TODAY Sports NCAA Re-Rank 1-136.

The Longhorns have clearly figured something out during a four-game winning streak bookended by high-profile wins against the Sooners and Vanderbilt. Arch Manning has played his best football during this stretch, capped by 328 yards and three touchdowns against the Commodores.

Oklahoma goes up seven spots after beating Tennessee to notch one of the best road wins by any team in the Power Four. The win keeps the Sooners alive in the College Football Playoff race in advance of games against Alabama, Missouri and LSU.

The Yellow Jackets drop six spots after losing to North Carolina State. Tech remains the top-ranked team in the ACC, ahead of No. 13 Louisville, No. 17 Miami, No. 20 Virginia and No. 25 Pittsburgh.

Down six after losing in overtime to SMU, the Hurricanes are one of a few Power Four contenders dropping in this week’s re-rank. The Commodores fall to No. 16, the No. 24 Volunteers are down 10 spots, Cincinnati drops to No. 28 after getting blown out by Utah and Houston is down to No. 30 after a narrow loss to Arizona State.

There were no changes to the top five of No. 1 Indiana, No. 2 Ohio State, No. 3 Texas A&M, No. 4 Alabama and No. 5 Georgia. Rounding out the top 10 are No. 6 Oregon, No. 7 Mississippi, No. 8 Brigham Young, No. 9 Texas Tech and No. 10 Notre Dame.

The NFL trade deadline is set for 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Several teams have already swung deals in recent days, but action could pick up in the last 24-36 hours.
There look to be fewer true sellers than buyers, but Week 9’s results could reshape teams’ approaches.

Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET cutoff for deals represents teams’ last window to transform themselves – whether that means by acquiring a veteran or beefing up on draft capital – before the offseason arrives. So far, however, the action seems to have been stunted by an imbalance in the market, with far more teams looking to bring aboard top talent than those inclined to shed it. But the Week 9 outcomes and injuries might sway several front offices. 

USA TODAY Sports will have all the latest news, rumors and updates from around the league leading up to the trade deadline, so check back often for the newest developments:

Jerry Jones says Cowboys have completed trade, could pursue others

Ever the showman, Jerry Jones has kept an air of mystique surrounding the Dallas Cowboys’ trade plans. But the owner took things to a new level with just more than 24 hours left until the deadline.

Jones told Stephen A. Smith on SiriusXM Radio that his team had already completed one deal and was keeping the door open for others.

‘A lot of action going on right now in terms of trading, we certainly have made a trade and we may make a couple more trades before that deadline,’ Jones said, according to the Dallas Morning News. ‘We’ve made one. We possibly could make two more, and I’m going to wait and let you read about that when we send the papers in tomorrow.’

Jones added that the deal will ‘immediately address some things that have been our shortcomings.’

That almost certainly would point toward a move aiding a defense that ranks 31st in scoring heading into Dallas’ ‘Monday Night Football’ matchup with the Arizona Cardinals. The secondary has been a concern with cornerback Trevon Diggs and safety Malik Hooker on injured reserve. But a listless pass rush also figures to be a point of interest given that the defense has collected just 15 sacks in eight games.

Dolphins not done dealing?

The Miami Dolphins wasted little time in forging a new path after parting ways with general manager Chris Grier on Friday, with Monday’s trade that sent Jaelan Phillips to the Philadelphia Eagles marking a sharp contrast with the team’s previous commitment to staying the course.

Could more moves be coming soon?

‘Conversations happen every single year,’ coach Mike McDaniel said Monday. ‘Sometimes there’s more reports than actual (trades). But you’re always having conversations, and you’re always ready. … Whether or not I expect it, I’m always expecting the unexpected.’

McDaniel also said he acknowledged that ‘the best interest of the football team in the long term doesn’t necessarily overlap with the exact interests for one game or one player.’

Outside linebacker Bradley Chubb and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick are among the big-name veterans who could generate interest.

Brian Daboll shuts down trade speculation for Giants

With his team falling to 2-7, New York Giants coach Brian Daboll wasn’t entertaining any discussion about potential trade deadline moves.

‘The focus for me is the guys that are on this football team,’ Daboll said Monday.

ESPN’s Jordan Raanan reported Monday that the Giants had engaged in discussions surrounding offensive lineman Evan Neal and wide receiver Jalin Hyatt while also asking around about available receivers.

Are Rams done making moves?

Sean McVay is tempering expectations for the Los Angeles Rams ahead of the NFL trade deadline.

‘I don’t think so. … It’s way less likely that anything occurs with us,’ McVay said when asked about where there was potential for any further dealing.

The Rams already acquired cornerback Roger McCreary from the Tennessee Titans last week.

Patriots, Texans not tipping their hands at trade deadline

Neither Mike Vrabel nor DeMeco Ryans gave much insight regarding their respective teams’ plans a little more than 24 hours in advance of the trade deadline.

A few days after his team parted with both Keion White and Kyle Dugger, Vrabel spoke only in generalities about how the team would approach any additional swaps.

‘What happens is personnel staff makes calls and they all have conversations as this thing leads up to it,’ Vrabel said in his Monday news conference. ‘I’d just say continue to do our diligence about what those may be and what they look like, and then make a decision that we think is best for us. That’s what I hope that we do. Until I hear otherwise, we’ll have conversations this afternoon. Nothing new to report.’

Ryans was similarly noncommittal about the Texans’ outlook.

‘We’ll see what happens,’ he said Monday when asked where he expects Houston to be aggressive at the trade deadline.

Could Titans move WR Calvin Ridley?

The Tennessee Titans have established themselves as clear sellers ahead of the NFL’s trade deadline, with the team already having sold off cornerbacks Roger McCreary and Jarvis Brownlee Jr. But even though the team has rebuffed any inquiries on star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, according to multiple reports, could another notable starter be on the trade block?

Multiple reports indicated that wide receiver Calvin Ridley could be a candidate to be moved, but ESPN’s Turron Davenport reported Sunday night that the team was not shopping him.

Putting together a deal for the 30-year-old could be tricky given his hefty price tag. But Ridley could be among the more notable pass-catching options in a thinned-out market at the position.

Trey Hendrickson trade asking price

If the Cincinnati Bengals are willing to move Trey Hendrickson, it won’t be for cheap.

The Bengals are asking for a first-round pick in any discussions regarding the reigning NFL sack king, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported Monday.

That might be rich for a player who is set to become a free agent in March. But there’s little question that adding Hendrickson would make for a major splash for any contender.

The Bengals seldom move veterans during the season, but linebacker Logan Wilson, who requested a trade, and cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt also bear watching ahead of the deadline.

Time for Saints to sell?

The New Orleans Saints are one of just a handful of teams that size up as natural sellers. But who might the team actually part with?

Top wide receiver Chris Olave has said he has been engaged in discussions regarding a contract extension, and multiple reports indicate that New Orleans won’t budge in moving its leading target as rookie Tyler Shough takes over behind center. Running back Alvin Kamara, too, has made clear he wants to stay put.

But could receiver Rashid Shaheed and linebacker Demario Davis be sent packing? The Saints have resisted drastic change, but a team set to have just five draft picks in 2026 would surely stand to benefit from upping its ammo as it prepares to forge ahead with an expansive rebuild.

Jaelan Phillips trade grades: Who won the deal?

So much for a dull trade deadline.

The Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles got things started on Monday with a significant deal, sending edge rusher Jaelan Phillips to the defending champions. But who fared best in the swap?

The Eagles added another notable disruptor to a defense in need of a shake-up, but the Dolphins boosted their draft outlook by parting with a player not in their long-term plans.

Eagles land Jaelan Phillips from Dolphins in trade

It didn’t take long for the first significant trade after Week 9 to materialize.

Early Monday morning, the Miami Dolphins agreed to trade edge rusher Jaelan Phillips to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick, according to multiple reports.

In landing Phillips, the Eagles secured one of the deadline’s biggest prizes. The former first-round pick has recorded three sacks in his last five games and figured to be one of the best edge rushers available with the likes of Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby and potentially Trey Hendrickson out of reach.

The Eagles are tied for 23rd in the NFL with just 16 sacks through eight games while ranking 17th in pressure rate (34.4%), according to Next Gen Stats. Phillips will join a rotation led by Jalyx Hunt and Brandon Graham as Nolan Smith remains on injured reserve with a triceps injury.

Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio also coached Phillips in 2023, when the edge rusher notched 6 ½ sacks in eight games before a torn Achilles ended his season early.

The Dolphins, meanwhile, have begun to bolster their draft capital and reset after parting ways with general manager Chris Grier on Friday.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Dolphins are paying a portion of the prorated amount on Phillips’ $13.25 million salary to facilitate the deal.

Trey Hendrickson trade rumors: Could Bengals actually deal standout DE?

When the Cincinnati Bengals began their resurgence, parting with standout defensive end Trey Hendrickson seemed like a complete non-starter. Now, however, there might at least be an opening.

Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer reported Sunday morning that the Bengals were no longer giving teams the ‘hard no’ with which they had been responding to previous trade inquiries regarding Hendrickson. And that was prior to a heartbreaking loss to the Chicago Bears that dropped Cincinnati to 3-6.

If the Bengals did move on from the NFL’s reigning sack king, it would mark a sharp departure for a franchise that has traditionally clung onto all contributors rather than flipping them for draft capital around the deadline. But Hendrickson appears likely to depart in free agency, and Cincinnati could expedite a defensive rebuild by not waiting on a compensatory pick.

Miami Dolphins trade rumors: No-go for moving Jaylen Waddle?

Any team hoping to make a major upgrade at wide receiver via trade might be disappointed by the landscape that awaits them.

While the Miami Dolphins do appear to be open for business after general manager Chris Grier and the team parted ways last Friday, multiple reports indicated it would be highly unlikely that the organization would part with wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. The speedster has taken on the role of Tua Tagovailoa’s unquestionable top target with Tyreek Hill sidelined for the remainder of the season, and both ESPN and NFL Network reported it would take more than a first-round draft pick to pry Waddle from Miami.

Edge rushers Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb, however, have drawn interest, with the former sparking calls from the likes of the Eagles, 49ers and Patriots, according to The Athletic.

NFL trade candidates: Who are top players who could move?

Plenty of top players, including Myles Garrett and Maxx Crosby, look likely to stay put. But even in a trade deadline that isn’t heavy on big names, a few figure to spark some interest.

Here’s our final look at the top realistic candidates to be moved:

1. Chris Olave, WR, New Orleans Saints
2. Jaelan Phillips, DE/OLB, Miami Dolphins
3. Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets
4. Alontae Taylor, CB, New Orleans Saints
5. Quincy Williams, LB, New York Jets

NFL trade deadline tracker: All the completed deals

Ravens trade CB Jaire Alexander to Eagles

Eagles receive: CB Jaire Alexander, 2027 seventh-round pick

Jets trade CB Michael Carter II to Eagles for WR John Metchie III

Eagles receive: CB Michael Carter II, 2027 seventh-round pick

Jets receive: WR John Metchie III, 2027 sixth-round pick

Patriots trade S Kyle Dugger to Steelers

Steelers receive: S Kyle Dugger, 2026 seventh-round pick

Patriots receive: 2026 sixth-round pick

Patriots trade DE Keion White to 49ers

49ers receive: DE Keion White, 2026 seventh-round pick

Patriots receive: 2026 sixth-round pick

Titans trade CB Roger McCreary to Rams

Rams receive: CB Roger McCreary, 2026 sixth-round pick

Titans receive: 2026 fifth-round pick

Browns trade CB Greg Newsome II to Jaguars for CB Tyson Campbell

Ravens trade OLB Odafe Oweh to Chargers for S Alohi Gilman

Chargers receive: OLB Odafe Oweh, 2027 seventh-round pick

Ravens receive: S Alohi Gilman, 2026 fifth-round pick

Browns trade QB Joe Flacco to Bengals

Bengals receive: QB Joe Flacco, 2026 sixth-round pick

Browns receive: 2026 fifth-round pick

Texans trade OT Cam Robinson to Browns

Browns receive: OT Cam Robinson, 2027 seventh-round pick

Texans receive: 2027 sixth-round pick

Titans trade CB Jarvis Brownlee Jr. to Jets

Jets receive: CB Jarvis Brownlee Jr., 2026 seventh-round pick

Titans receive: 2026 sixth-round pick

When is the NFL trade deadline?

The 2025 NFL trade deadline is at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday.

The cutoff comes just after the midseason point, with team owners having voted last year to push back the deadline by one week. After Tuesday, teams will not be able to make official trades until the start of the new league year in March, though they can unofficially agree to deals with one another after the completion of their season.

Hingle McCringleberry was indeed aghast − and will apparently respond in kind.

After Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle was hit with a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct following his second touchdown at Lambeau Field in Sunday’s 16-13 win over the Green Bay Packers, the man who brought the two-pump rule before the NFL’s competition committee − OK, not really − weighed in.

Actor and comedian Keegan-Michael Key, who portrayed McCringleberry, a fictional wide receiver in a famous ‘Key & Peele’ skit that mocked over-legislated football celebrations, posted the following on Instagram on Sunday evening:

‘Rico! Man, you got robbed − you only did two pumps,’ said a flabbergasted Key, tongue firmly placed in cheek.

‘I’m sorry, man. Now I’m gonna have to write a new sketch.’

Dowdle, surrounded by offensive teammates in the end zone, intentionally offered two thrusts after his score … but no more. Officials flagged him anyway, Dowdle leaving the field perplexed while holding up two fingers.

In the skit that launched him into the zeitgeist, McCringleberry, a rookie member of the ‘Rhinos,’ was repeatedly flagged for celebrating his touchdowns with three pumps − knowing he’d be free and clear by stopping at two.

‘From my understanding and everything I’ve learned, we go over stuff like this every week in the meeting room. I definitely think you’re supposed to get two pumps,’ Dowdle said following the game.

‘Hopefully, I don’t get a fine.’

(In case it wasn’t obvious, the NFL has no official rule spelling out how many pumps are or are not permissible.)

Dowdle’s infraction comes at a time when the league has been emphasizing good sportsmanship. Following the penalty, Carolina kicker Ryan Fitzgerald missed the lengthier extra-point try − a misfire that enabled the Packers to subsequently tie the game 13-13.

However Dowdle, who ran for 130 yards on the day, rumbled for 19 yards on Carolina’s final drive, setting up Fitzgerald for a game-winning 49-yard field goal at the gun.

‘I missed it. I am not going to touch on that,’ Panthers quarterback Bryce Young said.

‘We won, so I am grateful for that.’

Why should NFL general managers have all the fun?

While the Nov. 4 NFL trade deadline is rapidly approaching, fantasy football managers have a bit more freedom to work toward making some big deals of their own since most fantasy leagues don’t have their trade deadlines for another couple weeks.

So if your team is looking to make a move to bolster a deep playoff run, it’s time to take a look at which players could help you get there — and which players may be worth sending somewhere else.

WEEK 10 BYES: Cincinnati, Dallas, Kansas City, Tennessee

Here are some of this week’s best trade candidates:

Fantasy football players to buy for Week 10

QB Jaxson Dart, New York Giants

This doesn’t feel logical, but just hear me out. Dart generally isn’t among the top 15 QBs in the weekly rankings. Yet he’s managed to finish as the QB5 (pending Monday’s game), QB13, QB2 and QB3 over the past four weeks. He has a rushing TD in each of those games and has turned the ball over a total of one time during that span. This week, Dart faces a Bears defense that just gave up 470 passing yards and four TDs to Joe Flacco.

WR Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals

You’re likely buying high on Higgins after his fabulous 121-yard, two-touchdown effort against Chicago. But the Bengals are on bye this week, and another fantasy team that’s struggling to stay in playoff contention just may be willing to mortgage part of the future to get an immediate starter who’s just a bit of a downgrade. The Bengals have one of the best schedules for wideouts down the stretch (Steelers, Patriots, Bills, Ravens twice), so even if you’re unlikely to land Ja’Marr Chase, at least make an offer for Higgins.

RB Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns

Judkins played only 18 snaps in Week 8 before exiting with a shoulder injury. We don’t really have an update since the Browns were on bye in Week 9, but coach Kevin Stefanski did say last week that Judkins’ status was ‘day-to-day.’ That’s still a good sign if he’ll have nearly two weeks to recover by the time they play the Jets. Judkins has been a workhorse back ever since taking over the starting role and with the weather turning colder along Lake Erie, the Browns will figure to lean on him even more.

RB Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Irving has already missed four games with a foot injury and we won’t know his status for this week until the Bucs hit the practice field on Tuesday. However, he did have the benefit of a Week 9 bye, so he won’t have to worry about an off week once he returns. Tampa Bay has made do with Rachaad White and Sean Tucker in the backfield, but Irving has so much more upside. If Irving is close to 100% by the fantasy playoffs, he could be the missing piece to put your team over the top.

TE Tyler Warren, Indianapolis Colts

After all Warren has accomplished in his rookie season, good luck getting his fantasy manager to part with him. But if you can get a foot in the door after his season-low 26 receiving yards in Week 9, you can highlight this week’s matchup against a Falcons defense that’s been the NFL’s stingiest against tight ends … followed by a bye in Week 11. Take the short-term hit now and reap the benefits later with matchups against Jacksonville in Weeks 14 and 17 and Seattle in Week 15.

Fantasy football players to sell for Week 10

TE Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys

Ferguson could be a prime sell-high candidate, especially if he has a good game against the lowly Arizona Cardinals. He leads all tight ends in receptions and PPR fantasy points on the season, even before he steps on the field Monday night. But he reached those heights largely while star WR CeeDee Lamb was out for four weeks with an ankle injury. (With Lamb back as the top target, Ferguson didn’t have a catch last week vs. Denver.) He has also feasted on defenses that have trouble covering the tight end. After tonight, that won’t be the case again until Week 14 with a bye week followed by games against the Raiders (look it up!), Eagles and Chiefs.

RB Kyle Monangai, Chicago Bears

Starting in place of veteran D’Andre Swift, Monangai ran wild for 198 total yards to slot in as the RB3 for the week. He’s obviously earned more playing time when Swift returns, but coach Ben Johnson remains loyal to his former/current player. Let someone else be mesermized by the rookie’s performance against the Bengals ‘defense.’ He scored double-digit fantasy points only once while sharing time with Swift. Maybe you hold Monangai for this week’s game against the Giants, but Chicago has a brutal schedule in the fantasy playoffs.

RB Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams

Williams totaled a season highs in carries (25) and rushing yards (114) while plowing for a touchdown against the Saints. But not every game script is going to fall so perfectly in place for Williams. Rams QB Matthew Stafford leads the NFL with 21 TD passes and he’s going to stick with what’s been working so well. Kyren has seen his rushing touchdown totals regress from 14 last season to just three so far. And backup Blake Corum is seeing consistent work in relief.

WR Nico Collins, Houston Texans

WR Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions

The up-and-down season for Williams just hit another peak thanks to a 37-yard, highlight-reel touchdown catch. But don’t mistake his four catches for 66 yards as an indication that the squeaky wheel from Week 7’s goose egg is getting greased. The Lions already have WR Amon-Ra St. Brown and TE Sam LaPorta as their top targets in the passing game — and they need to get RB Jahmyr Gibbs back on track much more than they need to keep feeding Jamo. Not even a matchup with Washington this week can make him a must-start.