Trades just don’t happen very often in the NFL.

It’s just the nature of the sport. It’s much more difficult for a football player to change teams mid-season, learn a new system and get on the field than a player dealt in the NBA, NHL or Major League Baseball.

That’s why today’s NFL trade deadline will most likely pass without a meaningful deal.

That’s doesn’t stop the rumor mill from churning, though.

If there was a year in which a blockbuster trade or two could be made, it is this one.

Here are some possible (and not-so-possible) deals that could be swung by the deadline:

Tony Gonzalez to the Kansas City Chiefs — This one may not be as unlikely as one would think.

Gonzalez played 12 seasons with the Chiefs and never got to the Super Bowl.

When he was traded to Atlanta, he thought he’d get there, but hasn’t. He even put retirement on hold for one more year to come back to Atlanta this season thinking the Falcons could reach the big game.

Instead, Atlanta’s season is crashing and burning while the Chiefs are 8-0 and need a tight end.

Likely Trade Scale (1-10): 8.

Maurice Jones-Drew to the Cowboys — MJD is wasted in Jacksonville. He still has a little gas left in the tank and the ‘Boys need a running back these days.

Likely Trade Scale: 4

Darrelle Revis to any team that will use him correctly — Tampa Bay certainly doesn’t have a clue how to use Revis. Revis Island has become The Revis Zone and it’s scarier than the Twilight one.

The Bucs insist on using Revis in zone coverage, basically turning him into just another cornerback (who is making $16 million a year).

Any team could use a good shutdown corner.

Likely Trade Scale: 0

Jared Allen to the Lions — Detroit has a scary offense, but its defense has struggled because it can’t get to the quarterback.

Allen will solve that problem. The Vikings are going nowhere and Allen is a free agent after the season.

Likely Trade Scale: 5

Josh Gordon to the Patriots — The Browns like to make deals, it seems. They dumped Trent Richardson, getting a first-round pick from the Colts earlier this season and now have not-so-quietly shopped Gordon around.

New England seems a good fit for Gordon, a sometimes-troubled player who could get reigned in by the “Patriot Way.”

He’s a pretty good receiver, too, one the Patriots and Tom Brady desperately need.

Likely Trade Score: 7

Steelers making a trade — Pittsburgh has some players who could be moved for draft picks, and the Black and Gold could use a few extra selections to rebuild.

But it’s not the Steelers’ way to deal. Ever.

Likely Trade Score: minus-10

Mike Kilroy is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.