The 10 Worst Trades in NFL History, Ranked

The difference between the best and worst trades in NFL history is really a matter of perspective. For example, the trade that sent Herschel Walker from the Cowboys to the Vikings is considered the worst trade in the NFL – at least from the Vikings’ perspective. Cowboys fans see it as the best trade in history because it sparked their dominant run in the ’90s.

That’s why we’re evaluating these trades from the perspective of NFL fans rather than as fans of specific teams. We begin by assuming each trade had equal value at the time it was made. As the outcome of the trade becomes more lopsided over time, favoring one team significantly more than the other, we adjust our rankings accordingly to reflect the imbalance. This method helps us determine the worst trades in NFL history. 

Whether you’re traveling abroad and lose access to your streaming account or local network restrictions prevent you from streaming, CyberGhost VPN can help. Connect to a streaming-optimized server to watch the NFL from anywhere. 

Ranking the Worst Trades in NFL History

Hindsight is 20/20 isn’t just a tired cliché when it comes to evaluating trades. In many cases, it can take a few years to fully grasp just how bad a trade was and the negative impact it had on a franchise.

Several factors contribute to the worst NFL trades. Sometimes it’s immediately clear, like giving up an impact player and getting little in return. Other times, it’s about unmet expectations – thinking you’re acquiring an elite QB, only to find out he’s past his prime. The worst trades, though, are the ones that damage the team in the long run. These often involve adding too much guaranteed money or trading away high-round draft picks for several consecutive years.

The 10 Worst Trades in NFL History

10.  The Atlanta Falcons Trade Brett Favre to the Packers

Green Bay Packers Received Atlanta Falcons Received 
QB Brett Favre
    • 19th pick in the 1992 NFL draft, which they used to pick RB Tony Smith

Brett Favre was a second round draft pick by the Falcons in 1991, but never got on the field. The reports are that he didn’t get along with head coach Jerry Glanville, and after two seasons, he was traded to the Green Bay Packers for a first-round pick. 

Initially, this looked like a great trade by the Falcons, flipping a former second-round pick for a first rounder. Unfortunately for the Falcons, Favre went on to become a Super Bowl champion, a first-ballot Hall of Famer, and one of the all-time great quarterbacks. Meanwhile, only die-hard Falcons fans can recall who they selected with the Packers’ draft pick.

Don’t remember? Running back Tony Smith, who rushed for 329 yards and two touchdowns in three seasons.

9. The Colts Trade Marshall Faulk

St. Louis Rams Received Indianapolis Colts Received 
RB Marshall Faulk
    • 2nd round pick in the 1999 draft, which they used to select LB Mike Peterson
    • 5th round pick in the 1999 draft, which they used to select DE Brad Scioli

Marshall Faulk was a star running back for the Indianapolis Colts, gaining over 8,000 all-purpose yards in his first five seasons. Instead of offering him a new contract, the Colts decided to trade Faulk to the Rams for a second- and fifth-round pick. 

As a Ram, Faulk was an integral part of the “Greatest Show on Turf” team that won the Super Bowl. The future Hall of Famer won three consecutive Offensive Player of the Year awards from 1999-2001 and earned NFL MVP honors in 2000. On the other hand, the Colts weren’t able to find an impact player with either of the draft picks.  

8. The Chargers Trade Up to Draft Ryan Leaf

San Diego Chargers Received Arizona Cardinal Received
QB Ryan Leaf
    • RB/RW Eric Metcalf
    • LB Patrick Sapp
    • 3rd pick in the 1998 draft, which they used to select LB Andre Wadsworth
    • 33rd pick in the 1998 draft, which they used to select CB Corey Chavous
    • 8th pick in the 1999 draft, which they used to select WR David Boston

This is an instance where the deal seemed like a good idea at the time. Everyone knew that Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf were going to be the top two picks in the draft, but it was unclear who would go first. The Chargers needed a quarterback and swapped the third overall pick – plus two additional picks and two players – for the Cardinals’ 2nd pick, to ensure they’d get one of the top quarterbacks. 

The Chargers drafted Ryan Leaf, who went on to become one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history. He came to the NFL with a lot of arrogance and attitude, but was never able to back it up on the field, and the Chargers released him after just two seasons. Leaf then had a series of off the field problems and run-ins with the law and never got his football career on track. 

Meanwhile, Peyton Manning went on to win two Super Bowls and is widely regarded as one of the top 5 QBs in NFL history. The Cardinals already had a young quarterback, Jake Plummer, and wanted to draft defensive end Andre Wadsworth anyway, so there was no downside on their end. 

7.  The Oilers Trade Steve Largent Away for Nothing

Houston Oilers Received Seattle Seahawks Received 
WR Steve Largent
    • 8th round pick in the 1977 draft, which they used to select WR Steve Davis

The Houston Oilers took Steve Largent in the 4th round of the 1976 draft. Then, before the start of the season, they traded Largent to Seattle for an eighth-round pick. Largent went on to become one of the best wide receivers in his era and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. Meanwhile, the Oilers used their pick to take Steve Davis, another receiver who never played a down in the NFL. 

6. The Bears Trade Up to Draft Mitch Trubisky

Chicago Bears Received San Francisco 49ers Received 
QB Mitch Trubisky 
    • 3rd pick in the 2017 draft, which they used to select DE Solomon Thomas
    • 3rd round pick in the 2017 draft, which they used to select CB Ahkello Witherspoon
    • 4th round pick in the 2017 draft, which they used to select Joe Williams
    • 3rd round pick 2018 draft, which they used to select LB Fred Warner

It’s one thing to make a trade to move up in the draft if you’re afraid that you’ll miss on a specific player. It’s another to trade four picks to move up one spot when most draft experts believed the player in question would still be available. That’s what happened to the Bears in the 2017 draft, as they traded the third overall pick (and several others) to the San Francisco 49ers for the second overall pick. 

What makes matters worse is the Bears took North Carolina’s Mitch Trubisky and passed on Texas Tech’s Patick Mahomes in the process. Mahomes already owns three Super Bowl rings and is a near-lock for the Hall of Fame. Trubisky, though he started two playoff games, never played well in Chicago and was replaced ahead of the 2021 season.

5. The 49ers Trade Up to Draft Trey Lance

San Francisco 49ers Received Miami Dolphins Received 
QB Trey Lance 
    • 12th pick in the 2021 draft, which they used to select WR Jayden Waddle.
    • 29th pick in the 2022 draft, which they traded to the Chiefs to get WR Tyreek Hill
    • 3rd round pick in 2022, which they used to draft LB Channing Tindal
    • 29th pick in the 2023 draft, which they traded to the Broncos

The 49ers believed they were a QB away from competing for the Super Bowl. They had the 12th pick overall in the 2021 draft, and decided to trade up to third spot to draft North Dakota State’s Trey Lance. After backing up Jimmy Garoppolo in his rookie season, Lance was set to be the starter in 2022. 

However, the young quarterback suffered a season-ending injury in week 2, and undrafted rookie Brock Purdy eventually took over. Purdy nearly led the 49ers to the Super Bowl that year, and the team sent Lance to the Cowboys for a fourth-round pick in 2023. 

4. The Baltimore Colts Trade John Elway to the Denver Broncos

Denver Broncos Received Baltimore Colts Received 
QB John Elway
    • 4th pick in the draft, which they used to select OL Chris Hinton
    • QB Mark Hermann
    • 19th pick in 1984 draft, which they used to pick G Ron Solt

The 1983 NFL draft class was one of the best ever. There were seven Hall of Famers, and John Elway was the best player and the expected first overall pick. The problem was the Baltimore Colts owned the pick, and Elway announced he’d never play for them. Instead of trading the pick or drafting Dan Marino or Jim Kelly, the Colts selected Elway hoping they could convince him to sign with them. 

Elway refused, and a week later they traded him to Denver for guard and fourth overall pick Chris Hinton, quarterback Mark Hermann (who started just three games in two seasons for the Colts) and the Broncos’ first round pick in 1984. Meanwhile, Elway went on to have a Hall of Fame career, with two Super Bowl wins, regular season and Super Bowl MVP awards, and nine Pro Bowl appearances.  

3. Denver Broncos Trade for Russell Wilson

Denver Broncos Received Seattle Seahawks Received 
    • QB Russell Wilson
    • 4th round pick in the 2022 draft, which they used to select DT Eyioma Uwazurike
    • QB Drew Lock
    • TE Noah Fant
    • DT Shelby Harris
    • 9th pick in the 2022 draft, which they used to select LT Charles Cross
    • 2nd round pick in the 2022 draft, which they used to select LB Boye Mafe
    • 5th round pick in the 2022 draft, which they used to select LB Tyreke Smith
    • 5th pick in the 2023 draft, which they used to select CB Devon Witherspoon
    • 2nd round pick in the 2023 draft, which they used to select LB Derick Hall

The Broncos thought they were in a prime position to compete for the Super Bowl when they acquired Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson in 2022. Denver sent two first-round picks, two second-round picks, a fifth-round pick, and three players to the Seahawks for the former Pro Bowl quarterback. Then, the Broncos immediately signed Wilson to a five-year, $246.2 million extension.

What Denver instead received was a quarterback who was past his prime. Wilson struggled in 2022 before being benched near the end of the 2023 season. Although the Broncos cut the Super Bowl 48 champion, they’re taking an $85 million cap hit, keeping them from signing any big-name players. 

2. New Orleans Trade 8 Draft Picks for Ricky WIlliams

New Orleans Saints ReceivedWashington Commanders Received 
RB Ricky Williams 
    • 12 pick in the 1999 draft, which they used in a trade, along with three other picks, to get the 7th pick in the draft to select CB Champ Bailey
    • 3rd round pick in the 1999 draft was used in the trade above
    • 4th round pick in the 1999 draft, which they used to select LB Nate Stimson
    • 5th round pick in the 1999 draft, which they traded to Chicago
    • 6th round pick in the 1999 draft which they traded to Denver, along with a 7th round pick, to move up and draft TE Desmond Clark
    • 7th round pick in the 1999 draft was used in the trade above
    • 2nd pick in the 2000 draft, which they used to draft LB LaVarr Arrington
    • 3rd round pick in the 2000 draft, which they used to select CB Lloyd Harrison

Mike Ditka thought Ricky Williams would be the Saints’ savior and his new Walter Payton. Incredibly, Ditka gave Washington all five of the team’s draft picks in 1999 … and three more in 2000 to move up and select Williams. While Williams was a decent running back, he wasn’t the generational talent Ditka was hoping for, and the Saints finished his rookie season with a 3-13 record. Instead of having the 2nd pick in the 2000 draft, it went to Washington. 

Williams lasted only three seasons with the Saints before he was traded to the Dolphins. Meanwhile, the Commanders were able to turn their picks into defensive stars Champ Bailey and LaVarr Arrington. 

1. The Minnesota Vikings Trade 5 Players and 8 Draft Picks for Herschel Walker

Minnesota Vikings Received Dallas Cowboys Received 
    • RB Herschel Walker
    • 3rd round pick in the 1990 draft which they used to select TE Mike Jones
    • 10th round pick in the 1990 draft, which they used to select WR Reggie Thornton
    • 3rd round pick in the 1991 draft. Which they used to select WR Jake Reed
    • LB Jesse Solomon
    • LB David Howard
    • CB Issiac Holt
    • DE Alex Stewart
    • RB Darrin Nelson
    • 21st pick in the 1990 draft, which they used to trade to move up in the draft and select RB Emmitt Smith
    • 2nd round pick in the 1990 draft was part of the trade to get Emmitt Smith
    • 6th round pick in the 1990 draft, was traded with other picks for DB Stan Smagala
    • 11th pick in the 1991 draft, was traded along with other draft picks for the first pick in the draft, where they selected DT Russell Maryland
    • 2nd round pick in the 1991 draft was part of trade to get FB Alonzo Highsmith
    • 13th pick in the 1992 draft was traded so they could move up and draft CB Kevin Smith
    • 2nd round pick in the 1992 draft, which was traded so they could draft DB Chris Hall
    • 3rd round pick in the 1992 draft was included in the trade above.

The Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings sent shockwaves through the NFL when they made a mid-season trade in 1989. The Vikings were determined to get dynamic running back Herschel Walker and sent five players and eight picks to complete the trade. 

The deal didn’t work out as the Vikings hoped, as Walker never reached superstar status in Minnesota and left after two seasons without even making the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Cowboys used their newly-acquired picks to build the team that won three Super Bowls and dominated the 90s. 

Why CyberGhost Is the Best VPN for Streaming Sports

If you’re traveling and can’t watch your favorite sports on your usual streaming platforms, CyberGhost VPN has you covered. Our VPN servers are optimized for streaming, so you can connect to a server in your home country and instantly access your sports channels. You never have to miss any of the action.

With our fast global network, including 10-Gbps servers in key locations, you won’t have to worry about overcrowded servers slowing you down. This means you can stream live sports in HD without any lag or buffering.

CyberGhost’s powerful VPN encryption keeps your online activity private even from your ISP, preventing any activity-based slowdowns while you stream. This means you can enjoy every game in high quality, making CyberGhost the ideal VPN to stream live sports.

Try it risk-free with our 45-day money-back guarantee.

FAQ

What are the best trades in the NFL?

A trade that works out for both teams is pretty rare, but they do happen. In 2004, the San Diego Chargers traded the Eli Manning draft pick to the Giants for Philip Rivers, which worked great for both teams. The Chargers were involved in another draft day deal in 2001, when they traded the No. 1 overall pick for the Falcons’ 4th overall pick. The Falcons got superstar Mike Vick, and the Chargers selected LaDanian Tomlinson, a future NFL MVP and Hall of Fame running back. 

Do NFL teams make in-season trades?

NFL teams do make in-season trades, though they are relatively rare compared to other sports like the NBA or MLB. These trades are often made to address immediate needs, such as filling a position weakened by injuries or acquiring a key player to enhance a playoff push. However, due to the complexity of NFL playbooks and the physical nature of football, teams are often cautious with in-season trades.

What is the largest single trade in NFL history?

The largest single trade in NFL history is the 1989 Herschel Walker trade between the Dallas Cowboys and the Minnesota Vikings. The Cowboys received five players and eight draft picks, which they used to build a team that won three Super Bowls in the 1990s, making it the most impactful trade in NFL history.

Has an NFL player been traded during a game?

An NFL player has never been traded during a game. GMs have instructed coaches not to play certain players in a game because of a trade that is nearly complete, when they wanted to avoid injuries that would block the trade.  

Can I use a VPN to watch the NFL?

Most VPNs don’t work with streaming platforms that carry the NFL, but CyberGhost VPN is different. Our streaming-optimized servers ensure you can watch games while traveling in the US or abroad. Whether you’re watching on NFL+, YouTube TV, or by logging in with your TV provider, you can enjoy NFL games in HD, as if you never left home. 

Can I use a VPN to watch sports from a different country?

Some sports fans may connect to a VPN server in a country where certain sports events are available in order to watch from a different country. While we don’t snoop on our users’ online activity, this is against our terms of service and is not acceptable.

Rest assured that CyberGhost VPN never logs your browsing data and your activity is always private, but you should always comply with all relevant terms and applicable law, including copyright.

Leave a comment

Write a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked*