Jerome Ford Trade Destinations: 5 best landing spots if Browns deal RB before Nov. 4 deadline ft. Houston Texans and more

Jerome Ford is the RB2 on the Cleveland Browns in the ongoing 2025 NFL season. Ford is behind rookie Quinshon Judkins on the depth chart.

So, with the deadline on the horizon, let's look at five potential destinations if the Browns opt to trade the veteran RB.

Top 5 potential Jerome Ford landing spots ahead of trade deadline

1. Houston Texans

Jerome Ford was Nick Chubb's priority backup for his last few seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Chubbs now plays for the Houston Texans, and Ford could be on his way to join his former teammate in Houston.

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The Texans have been without their star running back Joe Mixon for the entirety of the 2025 season. That has left the team thin at the position, limiting their offensive productivity in the ongoing season.

The Texans could contact the Browns to discuss a trade for Ford. Ford is a serviceable rusher, pass catcher, and blocker. He could add much-needed depth to the department and potentially contribute to a late-season playoff push.

2. Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs lost Isiah Pacheco to an MCL injury against the Washington Commanders. That leaves a gaping hole at the running back position entering the second half of the season.

Andy Reid's side could make an offer to the Cleveland Browns for Jerome Ford ahead of the trade deadline. Ford could come in as the priority backup to Kareem Hunt, and potentially mentor rookie Brashard Smith.

The Chiefs typically operate a running back by committee system. Adding a chiseled veteran in Ford could come in clutch as they attempt to reach yet another Super Bowl game in the Andy Reid-Patrick Mahomes era.

3. New England Patriots

The New England Patriots are one of the stories of the 2025 season. The sleeping giants have awoken, and they're now in pole position to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2021 season.

However, their lack of depth at the running back position could come back to bite them at the business end of the campaign. They could use some help after Rhamondre Stevenson's toe injury.

Jerome Ford could be a shrewd addition ahead of the trade deadline. Ford has playoff experience, an impressive work ethic, and he's good enough to pressure a defense in adverse weather conditions.

4. Indianapolis Colts

Jonathan Taylor is the best running back in football, and he's having an MVP-caliber season. However, the depth after Taylor for the Colts isn't encouraging.

Ameer Abdullah is the team's priority backup, and that makes him one of the least impressive options in the AFC. So, the Colts are one Jonathan Taylor injury away from potentially having a significant drop-off in quality.

So, negotiating a trade with the Cleveland Browns for Jerome Ford could be a masterstroke. Ford has playoff experience, served as an emergency RB1 during Nick Chubb's injury, and he's intelligent enough to learn Shane Steichen’s offense.

5. Los Angeles Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers have dealt with injuries at the running back position all season long. Najee Harris is out for the season with an Achilles injury, and Omarion Hampton is dealing with an ankle issue. That leaves Kimani Vidal as the sole fit RB on the main roster.

Jim Harbaugh is known to use a running back by committee system, so it's paramount for the team to get depth at the position ahead of the second half of the season. Making a trade for Jerome Ford could resolve that issue and give the Chargers an extra edge ahead of a potential playoff push.

Ford will add veteran experience and solid yards after contact to the running back room. The Cincinnati Bearcats product could come in handy as the Chargers look to compete in the stacked AFC West.

Edited by Nick Igbokwe