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Who was every NFL team's worst trade of all time. What were the worst NFL trades of all time
Every NFL Team's Worst Trade of All Time - All 32 Franchises
With the NFL Offseason in full swing and the NFL Draft just a week away, let’s take a look at the worst trades in NFL history. What trades does each NFL team regret?
Arizona Cardinals
Trading away Anquan Boldin for a 3rd and 4th round pick
After enjoying an impressive seven-year career in Arizona, the Cardinals traded Anquan Boldin to the Baltimore Ravens for a third and fourth-round pick. In Arizona, Boldin caught 7,520 yards and made two Pro Bowls. However, in Baltimore, Boldin would go on to win a Super Bowl during his three-year tenure.
Atlanta Falcons
Trading Brett Favre to the Packers for a first-round pick
The Atlanta Falcons traded Brett Favre to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for a first-round pick. The Falcons never gave him much time to develop, as he appeared in just two games. In Green Bay, Favre would go on to enjoy a Hall of Fame career, winning a Super Bowl, three MVPs, and being named to 10 Pro Bowls. Favre would win three-straight NFL MVPs (1995-1997).
Baltimore Ravens
Trading Orlando Brown Jr. to the Chiefs
The Ravens drafted Orlando Brown in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. However, after acquiring Ronnie Stanley, the Ravens decided to move off Brown. After a short two-year tenure in Baltimore, Brown would be shipped to Kansas City, where he would go on to play a lead role on their offensive line and win a Super Bowl.
Buffalo Bills
Trading Marshawn Lynch to Seattle for a 4th rounder
After a three-year tenure in Buffalo, the Bills decided to move running back Marshawn Lynch to the Seattle Seahawks for a fourth-round selection. In Buffalo, Lynch showed flashes of potential but never over an extended period. He would make only one Pro Bowl. However, in Seattle, Lynch would win a Super Bowl and make one first-team All-Pro.
Carolina Panthers
Trading DJ Moore, two firsts, and two seconds for Bryce Young
In search of their franchise quarterback, the Carolina Panthers shipped young wide receiver DJ Moore, two first-round picks, and two second-round picks in exchange for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. With this selection, the Panthers drafted quarterback Bryce Young. While Young has begun to turn the corner, the Panthers gave up too much value to acquire Young.
Chicago Bears
Moved up in the 2017 NFL Draft to take Mitch Trubisky
In the 2017 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears moved up one spot in the draft to ensure they drafted quarterback Mitch Trubisky. While the trade was not “bad” by any stretch, it has not aged well, given the elite talent they passed on. The Bears could have selected Patrick Mahomes or Deshaun Watson over Trubisky. In Chicago, Trubisky lasted just four seasons.
Cincinnati Bengals
Trading Corey Dillon To New England
After enjoying an impressive seven-year tenure in Cincinnati, the Bengals traded Corey Dillon to the New England Patriots in exchange for a second-round pick. Dillon was the leader of the Cincinnati offense, and the Bengals were unable to find similar production for several seasons. After leaving the Bengals, Dillon would win a Super Bowl in New England and rush for 1,635 yards in his first season.
Cleveland Browns
Trading three first-round picks for Deshaun Watson
The Cleveland Browns made one of the worst trades in recent history, moving three first-round picks (in 2022-2024) to acquire Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. Watson was performing at an elite level in Houston and was expected to be Cleveland’s franchise quarterback. However, Watson held a 9-10 record over his first 19 games in Cleveland and has yet to lead them to the postseason.
Dallas Cowboys
Acquiring Joey Galloway for two first-rounders
In 2000, the Dallas Cowboys traded two first-round picks to acquire wide receiver Joey Galloway from the Seattle Seahawks. In Seattle, Galloway was a very effective wide receiver, tallying 4,457 yards and 37 touchdowns across five seasons. However, in Dallas, he would suffer a torn ACL in his first season and never enjoy similar success.
Denver Broncos
Moving two firsts, two seconds, and assets for Russell Wilson
The Broncos were in search of their franchise quarterback after years of poor play following Peyton Manning’s retirement. They made a big splash by acquiring former Super Bowl Champion Russell Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks. The Broncos moved two first-round picks, two second-round picks, Drew Lock, Noah Fant, and Sheldy Harris. Wilson would last just two seasons in Denver.
Detroit Lions
Moving up in the 2020 NFL Draft to take Jeff Okudah
During the 2020 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions moved up to the No. 3 spot in the draft to select defensive back Jeff Okudah. Okudah would last just three seasons in Detroit before moving to Atlanta. While the Lions did not overpay to move up in the draft, they passed on several elite players such as Justin Herbert and CeeDee Lamb
Green Bay Packers
Trading Javon Walker for a second-round pick
Walker enjoyed a productive start to his NFL career in Denver. Across four seasons, Walker would enjoy one Pro Bowl season and catch 22 touchdown passes. The Packers decided to move off of him due to injuries. However, in Denver, Walker would remain productive, tallying 1,371 yards and eight scores across two seasons.
Houston Texans
Moving DeAndre Hopkins for David Johnson and picks
In one of the most surprising trades in recent history, the Houston Texans traded three-time first-team All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for David Johnson and two draft picks. Hopkins was one of (if not the best wide receiver in football at the time. He would go on to enjoy several strong seasons in Arizona while Johnson would score just six touchdowns across two seasons in Houston.
Indianapolis Colts
Trading Marshall Faulk to St. Louis
The Indianapolis Colts traded running back Marshall Faulk to the St. Louis Rams in 1999 for Ike Charlton, a second-rounder, and a fifth-rounder. In Indianapolis, Falk would win Rookie of the Year and tally over 5,000 rushing yards in five seasons. However, in Los Angeles, Faulk would become a Hall of Famer, winning three Offensive Player of the Year awards, an MVP, and a Super Bowl.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Trading Maurice Jones-Drew for a sixth-rounder
The Jacksonville Jaguars traded the focal point of their offense for a sixth-round pick to the Oakland Raiders in 2014. While Jones-Drew was past his prime at this time, he was an icon of the franchise. In Jacksonville, Jones-Drew would run for over 8,000 yards in eight seasons, be named first-team All-Pro once, and make three Pro Bowls.
Kansas City Chiefs
Trading Jared Allen to Minnesota for three draft picks
Jared Allen showed flashes of elite potential in Kansas City but was able to reach the next level in Minnesota. However, the Chiefs let go of him too early when they moved the defensive lineman for a first-round pick, a third-round pick, and a sixth-round pick. Allen would go on to be named to three first-team All-Pro rosters in Minnesota. Across six seasons, he would tally 85.5 sacks en route to being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Las Vegas Raiders
Trading Khalil Mack to Chicago
The Raiders were entering a rebuild and decided to trade superstar edge rusher Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears in exchange for two first-round picks, a third-round pick, and a sixth-round pick. While they received an impressive haul for Mack, the Raiders were unable to build a team with these assets. Mack would be named to three Pro Bowls in Chicago and make one first-team All-Pro.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers move up in the 1998 NFL Draft to select Ryan Leaf
The Chargers moved additional picks to move up in the 1998 NFL Draft to select quarterback Ryan Leaf. Leaf would be known as one of the biggest busts in NFL history. Leaf would last in San Diego for just two seasons. During this brief stint, he would post a 4-17 record and throw for just 3,666 yards and hold a 14:36 TD:INT.
Los Angeles Rams
Trading Eric Dickerson to Indianapolis
While the Rams received a significant haul for one of the greatest running backs in NFL history, it was a poor decision to move on from a generational talent. The Rams received multiple first-round picks but were unable to find anyone with Dickerson’s talent. With the Colts, Dickerson would lead the league in rushing one season and tally 5,194 yards over five seasons.
Miami Dolphins
Moving multiple high picks to acquire Ricky Williams
The Miami Dolphins traded multiple first-round picks to acquire running back Ricky Williams from the New Orleans Saints during the 1999 NFL Season. This trade looked fantastic after his first season in Miami, as he rushed for 1,853 yards, which led the league. However, after this season, Williams’ career took a downturn as he dealt with numerous off-the-field issues, such as substance abuse.
Minnesota Vikings
Acquiring Herschel Walker from Dallas
The Minnesota Vikings acquired running back Herschel Walker from the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for three first-round picks, three second-round picks, and a third-round pick. Walker was never able to find much success in Minnesota. To make this trade even worse, all these draft picks became the foundation of the Dallas dynasty of the 1990s.
New England Patriots
Trading Logan Mankins to Tampa Bay
In order to clear the salary cap, the New England Patriots decided to trade offensive lineman Logan Mankins to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. During his time in New England, Mankins was one of the best linemen in the sport. He was a six-time Pro Bowler, named second-team All-Pro five times, and named first-team All-Pro once. He would make another Pro Bowl in Tampa Bay and miss just one game.
New Orleans Saints
Trading for Ricky Williams in 1999
The New Orleans Saints traded all eight of their picks in the 1999 NFL Draft to Washington to acquire the rights to running back Ricky Williams. Williams would only last three seasons in New Orleans. Over this stretch, he ran for just 3,129 yards with 16 touchdowns. The Saints eventually traded him to Miami, which was another lopsided deal.
New York Giants
Trading Fran Tarkenton to Minnesota
The New York Giants traded quarterback Fran Tarkenton to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for just three draft picks, including one first-round pick. Tarkenton was a four-time Pro Bowler with New York, but the team decided to move on. In Minnesota, Tarkenton would go on to win an NFL MVP in 1975 and lead the league in passing attempts twice and yards once.
New York Jets
Moving Darrelle Revis for a first and a fourth-round pick
Darrelle Revis enjoyed an incredible prime with the New York Jets. In New York, Revis was widely viewed as the league’s top defensive back as he was named first-team All-Pro three times. However, the Jets decided to move on from the future Hall of Famer after he suffered a torn ACL. Revis would rebound quite well from the injury, as he would make three Pro Bowls and win a Super Bowl (with the Patriots) over the final five seasons in his career.
Philadelphia Eagles
Trading Keith Jackson to Miami
In 1995, the Philadelphia Eagles traded tight end Keith Jackson to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a second-round and a fourth-round pick. Jackson was named first-team All-Pro in three of his four seasons in Philadelphia and was widely viewed as one of the best tight ends in the sport. The Eagles were never able to find similar production with the picks in return.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Moving wide receiver Santonio Holmes to New York
The Steelers traded Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes to the New York Jets in exchange for a fifth-round pick. During his four seasons in Pittsburgh, Holmes would tally over 3,800 yards and even lead the league in YPR in 2007. Holmes would remain productive during his time in New York. However, the Steelers were never able to find similar production at wide receiver for several seasons.
San Francisco 49ers
Trading Alex Smith to Kansas City
The 49ers traded their former first-round pick to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for a second-round pick. Smith showed flashes of potential at times but could never enjoy sustained success. He held an overall 38-36-1 record. However, in Kansas City, Smith would turn the corner, posting an impressive 50-26 record across five seasons.
Seattle Seahawks
Acquiring Percy Harvin from Minnesota
In a blockbuster deal, the Seattle Seahawks acquired wide receiver Percy Harvin from the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a first, third, and a seventh-round pick. Harvin was an elite playmaker, especially during special teams in Minnesota. However, in Seattle, Harvin lasted just two seasons and scored just one offensive touchdown.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Trading away Steve Young after two seasons
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted Steve Young first overall in the 1984 NFL Supplemental Draft. During his two seasons in Tampa Bay, Young posted a poor 3-16 record playing on a bad Buccaneers roster. However, the Buccaneers would choose to move off Young and ship him to San Francisco for a second and fourth-round pick. He would then become a Hall of Fame QB in the Bay Area.
Tennessee Titans
Titans acquire Julio Jones
The Tennessee Titans acquired Julio Jones from the Atlanta Falcons for a second and a fourth-round pick in 2021. While this trade looked smart then, Jones would never find his footing in Tennessee. After being one of the greatest wide receivers in the sport for a decade in Atlanta, Jones would spend just one season in Tennessee and tally just 434 yards.
Washington Commanders
Trading Champ Bailey to Denver
Washington traded defensive back Champ Bailey and a second-round pick to acquire Denver running back Clinton Portis. While Portis went to enjoy several successful seasons in Washington, Champ Bailey would become a Hall of Famer in Denver. Bailey would be named to three first-team All-Pro rosters and make eight Pro Bowls. He was later named to the Hall of Fame All-2000s team.
