Hindsight is always 20/20, especially in the world of professional sports. Every NFL franchise has a skeleton or two in its closet—a player they gave up on too soon, a draft pick they squandered, or a blockbuster deal that blew up in their face. These trades are more than just bad decisions; they're moments in time that altered the course of franchises, built dynasties for rivals, and left fans wondering "what if?" for decades.
From trading away a future Hall of Famer for peanuts to giving up a king's ransom for a player who never panned out, we're diving deep into the history books. Let's take a look at the single worst trade for every team in the NFL!
Arizona Cardinals: Trading Up for Josh Rosen (2018)
The Cardinals thought they had their quarterback of the future in 2018. Convinced they needed a new signal-caller, they traded third- and fifth-round picks to move up five spots and select UCLA's Josh Rosen. On paper, it seemed like a reasonable move to secure a top QB prospect.
Unfortunately, Rosen's tenure in the desert was a disaster. He went 3-10 as a starter, throwing more interceptions (14) than touchdowns (11). His performance was so underwhelming that the Cardinals pulled the plug after just one season, drafting Kyler Murray first overall the following year and trading Rosen to the Dolphins for a couple of draft picks. To make matters worse, Lamar Jackson, a two-time MVP, was still on the board when Arizona made the trade for Rosen.
Atlanta Falcons: Trading Brett Favre to the Packers (1992)
This one has to sting. In 1991, the Falcons drafted a raw, strong-armed quarterback from Southern Miss named Brett Favre. Then-head coach Jerry Glanville was famously not a fan of Favre's wild playing style and off-field habits. After just one season, in which Favre attempted only four passes (two of which were intercepted), Atlanta traded him to the Green Bay Packers for a first-round pick.
At the time, getting a first-rounder for a backup quarterback seemed like a steal. Instead, it became one of the most lopsided trades in league history. Favre went on to become a three-time MVP, a Super Bowl champion, and a first-ballot Hall of Famer in Green Bay, starting a legendary career that the Falcons let slip through their fingers.
Baltimore Ravens: Trading for Diontae Johnson (2024)
The Ravens are a well-run organization that rarely makes glaring errors in player personnel, but their 2024 trade for wide receiver Diontae Johnson was a low-risk move that yielded absolutely no reward. Baltimore sent a fifth-round pick to the Carolina Panthers for Johnson and a sixth-rounder, hoping to add some veteran depth to their receiving corps.
It was a complete failure. Johnson appeared in only four games for the Ravens, catching a single six-yard pass. His time in Baltimore was marred by an incident where he reportedly refused to enter a game, leading to his eventual release. While the investment was small, the return was literally nothing, making it a wasted asset for a team with championship aspirations.
Buffalo Bills: Trading for Kelvin Benjamin (2017)
Many Bills fans might point to the trade that allowed the Chiefs to draft Patrick Mahomes, but the 2017 deadline deal for Kelvin Benjamin was a clear misstep. The Bills, desperate for a big-bodied receiver, sent third- and seventh-round picks to the Carolina Panthers for the former first-round pick.
Benjamin had one 1,000-yard season as a rookie but had been inconsistent ever since. That trend continued in Buffalo. He struggled to find his role, put up just 571 yards over 18 games, and was waived midway through his second season with the team. The Bills gave up valuable draft capital for a player who contributed little and was gone in a flash.
Carolina Panthers: Trading Up for Greg Little (2019)
The Panthers have made a few questionable trades, but their 2019 move to acquire offensive tackle Greg Little stands out as a clear loss. Believing a run on tackles was imminent, Carolina sent a third-round pick to the Seattle Seahawks to move up 10 spots in the second round to select Little.
The move backfired. Little struggled with injuries and inconsistent play, starting just six games over two seasons for the Panthers. He never developed into the reliable left tackle they envisioned and was traded to Miami after just two years. Giving up a top-100 pick to move up for a player who busted so quickly was a poor use of resources.
Chicago Bears: Trading Up for Mitchell Trubisky (2017)
This trade will haunt Bears fans for a generation. In 2017, the Bears were so smitten with North Carolina quarterback Mitchell Trubisky that they traded up one spot, from No. 3 to No. 2, to ensure they got him. The cost was massive: they sent the 49ers their third- and fourth-round picks in 2017, plus a 2018 third-round pick.
The 49ers reportedly had no intention of drafting Trubisky, so the Bears essentially bid against themselves. Trubisky had one Pro Bowl season but was largely a disappointment and was let go after four years. The worst part? The Bears passed on future Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes and Pro Bowl quarterback Deshaun Watson to make this fateful move.
Cincinnati Bengals: Trading Up for Ki-Jana Carter (1995)
In 1995, the Bengals were convinced that Penn State running back Ki-Jana Carter was a can't-miss prospect. They traded the fifth overall pick and a second-rounder to the expansion Carolina Panthers to move up to the No. 1 spot to select him.
The dream turned into a nightmare almost immediately. Carter tore his ACL in his very first preseason game and was never the same player. He struggled with injuries throughout his time in Cincinnati, rushing for just 747 yards over four seasons. The Bengals gave up a haul for a player whose career was over before it ever truly began.
Cleveland Browns: Trading for Deshaun Watson (2022)
This might be the worst trade in NFL history, and not just for football reasons. In 2022, the Browns traded three first-round picks (2022, 2023, 2024), a third-round pick, and two fourth-round picks to the Houston Texans for quarterback Deshaun Watson, despite him facing over two dozen accusations of sexual misconduct. Cleveland then signed him to an unprecedented five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract.
The fallout has been catastrophic. Watson was suspended for 11 games in 2022. Since his return, his play has been a shadow of his former self, and he has battled significant injuries. The Texans, meanwhile, used Cleveland's draft picks to rebuild their roster and quickly became a playoff contender with C.J. Stroud. It was a morally questionable and strategically disastrous move for the Browns.
Dallas Cowboys: Trading Amari Cooper (2022)
Sometimes, being cheap costs you more in the long run. In 2022, the Cowboys decided that wide receiver Amari Cooper's $20 million salary was too high. They traded the four-time Pro Bowler to the Cleveland Browns for a measly fifth-round pick and a sixth-round pick swap.
Cooper immediately thrived in Cleveland, racking up over 2,600 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns in his first few seasons there. The Cowboys, meanwhile, spent years searching for a reliable No. 2 receiver to complement CeeDee Lamb. It was a salary dump that created a major hole in their offense, which they could have avoided by paying a proven star.
Denver Broncos: Trading for Russell Wilson (2022)
The Broncos have been searching for a franchise quarterback since Peyton Manning retired. In 2022, they thought they found their answer in Russell Wilson. Denver sent a massive package to the Seattle Seahawks, including two first-round picks, two second-round picks, quarterback Drew Lock, tight end Noah Fant, and defensive lineman Shelby Harris. They then gave Wilson a five-year, $242.6 million extension.
The experiment was an absolute failure. Wilson struggled mightily in his first season, and while he improved slightly in his second year, the team benched him before the season ended. Denver released him after just two years, absorbing a historic $85 million in dead money. It was a catastrophic price to pay for two years of disappointing quarterback play.
Detroit Lions: Trading Away Darius Slay (2020)
The Lions have a long history of losing, and trading away their best players certainly hasn't helped. In 2020, Detroit dealt Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay to the Philadelphia Eagles for third- and fifth-round picks. The move was driven by a contract dispute and a deteriorating relationship with then-coach Matt Patricia.
Slay went on to make three more Pro Bowls with the Eagles and helped them reach a Super Bowl. The Lions' secondary, meanwhile, struggled for years after his departure. While they eventually built a contender, trading a star defensive player in his prime to a conference rival for mid-round picks was a move that hurt them for several seasons.
Green Bay Packers: Trading for John Hadl (1974)
Long before Favre and Rodgers, the Packers were desperate for a quarterback. In the middle of the 1974 season, Green Bay traded a stunning five draft picks—two firsts, two seconds, and a third—to the Los Angeles Rams for 34-year-old quarterback John Hadl.
Hadl was a former Pro Bowler, but he was clearly past his prime. He played less than two full seasons in Green Bay, posting a dismal 7-12 record as a starter before being shipped out. The trade set the Packers back for years, as they surrendered a treasure trove of draft capital for a quarterback who couldn't bring them back to glory.
Houston Texans: Trading Away DeAndre Hopkins (2020)
This trade was a head-scratcher from the moment it was announced. In 2020, then-coach and general manager Bill O'Brien decided to trade away DeAndre Hopkins, one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, to the Arizona Cardinals. The return was bafflingly low: running back David Johnson (who was past his prime), a second-round pick, and a fourth-round pick swap.
Hopkins continued to be an elite receiver in Arizona, while Johnson was ineffective in Houston. The second-round pick the Texans received, Ross Blacklock, was a bust. It was a nonsensical trade that saw the Texans give away a superstar for a package that brought almost no value in return.
Indianapolis Colts: Trading for Trent Richardson (2013)
Just two games into the 2013 season, the Colts made a shocking move. They traded a 2014 first-round pick to the Cleveland Browns for running back Trent Richardson, who was just one year removed from being the third overall pick. The Colts were desperate for a running back and thought Richardson was the answer.
They were wrong. Richardson was a massive disappointment in Indianapolis. He averaged just 3.1 yards per carry and looked indecisive and slow. He was benched and eventually waived after less than two seasons. Giving up a first-round pick for a running back who was already showing bust potential was a terrible gamble that failed spectacularly.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Trading Away Jalen Ramsey (2019)
Having a star player on your roster is a good thing, but the Jaguars couldn't make it work with All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Amid a contract dispute and clashing with the front office, Ramsey demanded a trade in 2019. The Jaguars obliged, sending him to the Los Angeles Rams for two first-round picks and a fourth-round pick.
While the draft haul was significant, Jacksonville completely whiffed on the picks. They selected pass-rusher K'Lavon Chaisson and running back Travis Etienne Jr. Chaisson was a bust, and while Etienne has been solid, he hasn't been a game-changer. Ramsey, meanwhile, continued his All-Pro career with the Rams and won a Super Bowl. Jacksonville traded away a generational talent and got very little to show for it.
Kansas City Chiefs: Trading for Frank Clark (2019)
The Chiefs have won multiple Super Bowls, so it's hard to criticize them too much; but, their 2019 trade for pass-rusher Frank Clark was an overpay. Kansas City sent a first-round pick, a second-round pick, and a third-round pick swap to the Seattle Seahawks for Clark, whom they then signed to a massive five-year, $104 million contract.
Clark had his moments and was a key part of two championship teams, but his regular-season production never matched his contract. He averaged less than six sacks per year with the franchise. While he came up big in the playoffs, the Chiefs paid a premium in both draft picks and salary for a player who was more of a good contributor than a dominant force.
Las Vegas Raiders: Trading Away Khalil Mack (2018)
When Jon Gruden returned to coach the Raiders, one of his first major moves was one of the worst. Citing an unwillingness to give him a market-setting contract, the Raiders traded superstar pass-rusher and former Defensive Player of the Year Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears in 2018. The Raiders received two first-round picks, a third, and a sixth in return.
Mack immediately signed a massive extension with the Bears and continued to be one of the most dominant defensive players in the league. The Raiders, meanwhile, struggled to generate a pass rush for years. While they received significant draft capital, they mismanaged the picks, and none of them came close to replicating Mack's impact. Trading a Hall of Fame talent in his prime is almost never a good idea.
Los Angeles Chargers: Trading Up for Ryan Leaf (1998)
The 1998 NFL Draft was defined by two quarterbacks: Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf. With the Indianapolis Colts set to take Manning at No. 1, the Chargers, holding the third pick, made a blockbuster trade with the Arizona Cardinals to move up to No. 2 to select Leaf. The cost was huge: two first-round picks, a second-round pick, and a Pro Bowl player.
The trade will go down in infamy. Leaf became one of the biggest draft busts in sports history, undone by poor play and a terrible attitude. He was out of the league in just a few years. Manning, of course, went on to have a legendary Hall of Fame career. The Chargers mortgaged their future for a player who set their franchise back years.
Los Angeles Rams: Trading Jerome Bettis (1996)
In 1996, the Rams decided that running back Jerome "The Bus" Bettis was no longer a fit for their new offense. They traded the future Hall of Famer to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a second- and fourth-round pick. To replace him, the Rams drafted the troubled Lawrence Phillips in the first round.
Bettis went on to have a stellar, Canton-bound career in Pittsburgh, rushing for over 10,000 yards and winning a Super Bowl. Phillips, on the other hand, was a complete bust due to off-field issues and was out of St. Louis in less than two seasons. The Rams gave away a franchise icon for pennies on the dollar and replaced him with a disaster.
Miami Dolphins: Trading for Josh Rosen (2019)
The Cardinals weren't the only team to get burned by Josh Rosen. After Arizona drafted Kyler Murray in 2019, the Miami Dolphins saw a "buy-low" opportunity. They traded a second-round pick and a fifth-round pick to acquire the former top-10 pick, hoping a change of scenery would revive his career.
It didn't. Rosen was just as bad in Miami, posting a dismal 52.0 passer rating in three starts. The Dolphins quickly realized their mistake, drafted Tua Tagovailoa the following year, and waived Rosen before the 2020 season. Giving up a second-round pick for a quarterback who had already failed so spectacularly was a risk that provided no reward.
Minnesota Vikings: The Herschel Walker Trade (1989)
This is the trade by which all other bad trades are measured. In 1989, the Minnesota Vikings believed they were one player away from a Super Bowl. They decided that player was Dallas Cowboys running back Herschel Walker. The Vikings sent five players and a whopping eight draft picks—including three firsts and three seconds—to Dallas for Walker.
Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson brilliantly leveraged the conditional picks to build a dynasty, drafting players like Emmitt Smith and Darren Woodson. Dallas won three Super Bowls in four years. Walker, meanwhile, was a disappointment in Minnesota, spending just over two seasons there and never reaching his previous heights. It was a trade that built a dynasty for the Cowboys and left the Vikings with nothing but regret.
New England Patriots: Trading for Mohamed Sanu (2019)
Even the great Bill Belichick isn't immune to making a bad trade. During the 2019 season, the Patriots were desperate for wide receiver help for Tom Brady. They sent a second-round pick to the Atlanta Falcons for veteran Mohamed Sanu.
At the time, a second-round pick for a 30-year-old possession receiver seemed steep, and it proved to be an overpay. Sanu never clicked in the Patriots' offense, catching just 26 passes in eight games. He was released before the start of the next season. It was a rare instance of the Patriots making a panicked, short-sighted move that cost them a valuable draft pick.
New Orleans Saints: The Ricky Williams Trade (1999)
Coach Mike Ditka was so obsessed with Texas running back Ricky Williams that he traded his entire draft for him. In 1999, the Saints sent all six of their draft picks that year, plus their first- and third-round picks the following year, to Washington to move up to the No. 5 spot to select Williams.
Williams was a productive player for the Saints, but no running back is worth an entire draft class and then some. The team was left with no young talent to build around him, and they struggled to win. Ditka was fired after the season, and Williams played only three years in New Orleans before being traded again. It was the ultimate example of putting all your eggs in one basket, only to see the basket fall apart.
New York Giants: Trading Away Odell Beckham Jr. (2019)
This trade looked bad at the time but has gotten worse in retrospect. After signing him to a massive extension, the Giants traded superstar wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to the Cleveland Browns in 2019 for a first-round pick, a third-round pick, and safety Jabrill Peppers.
While Beckham's career was hampered by injuries after the trade, the Giants completely failed to capitalize on the return. The first-round pick became defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, who is a star, but the other assets fizzled out. The Giants' offense became one of the least explosive in the league for years after trading away their most dynamic playmaker. It was a move that signaled a full-scale, and ultimately painful, rebuild.
New York Jets: Trading for Aaron Rodgers (2023)
The Jets thought they had finally solved their decades-long quarterback problem. In 2023, they traded a package of high draft picks, including a first-round pick swap, to the Green Bay Packers for four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers. The city was buzzing with Super Bowl hype.
The dream lasted all of four plays. Rodgers tore his Achilles on his first drive as a Jet, ending his season. The team crumbled without him, leading to a disastrous year. While the story isn't fully written, the immediate result of trading significant draft capital for a 39-year-old quarterback who suffered a catastrophic injury was an absolute gut punch for the franchise.
Philadelphia Eagles: Trading for Golden Tate (2018)
In 2018, the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles were struggling and looking for a spark. At the trade deadline, they sent a third-round pick to the Detroit Lions for veteran receiver Golden Tate. The hope was that he would bolster their passing game for another playoff run.
The move fizzled. Tate was a poor fit in the offense, catching just 30 passes for 278 yards in eight games. He provided little impact, the Eagles were eliminated in the divisional round, and he left in free agency the following offseason. It was a steep price to pay for a half-season rental who didn't move the needle.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Trading Up for Devin Bush (2019)
The Steelers rarely trade up in the first round, but they made an exception in 2019 for Michigan linebacker Devin Bush. They sent their first- and second-round picks, plus a future third-rounder, to the Denver Broncos to move up 10 spots to draft him.
Bush had a solid rookie year but tore his ACL in his second season and was never the same player. He struggled with coverage and tackling, eventually losing his starting job. The Steelers declined his fifth-year option, and he left after four disappointing seasons. The team gave up significant draft capital for an undersized linebacker at a non-premium position who failed to live up to his draft status.
San Francisco 49ers: Trading Up for Trey Lance (2021)
This was a franchise-altering swing and a miss. In 2021, the 49ers traded a massive haul to the Miami Dolphins to move from No. 12 to No. 3 in the draft. They sent three first-round picks and a third-round pick to select North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance, a raw but talented prospect.
Lance barely saw the field. He started just four games in two years, battling injuries and inconsistency. He was eventually beaten out for the starting job by the 2022 draft's "Mr. Irrelevant," Brock Purdy. The 49ers admitted defeat and traded Lance to the Cowboys for a fourth-round pick. It was an astonishingly bad return on an immense investment.
Seattle Seahawks: Trading for Jamal Adams (2020)
The Seahawks were looking to recapture the magic of their "Legion of Boom" defense. In 2020, they sent two first-round picks, a third-round pick, and a starting safety to the New York Jets for star safety Jamal Adams. They then made him the highest-paid safety in the league.
Adams had one great season as a pass-rusher, but he was a liability in coverage and was constantly injured. He played in just 34 games over four seasons before being released. The Jets used one of the first-round picks on star receiver Garrett Wilson. Seattle paid an astronomical price for a box safety who didn't fit their scheme and couldn't stay on the field.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trading Steve Young (1987)
Before he was a Hall of Fame quarterback for the 49ers, Steve Young was a struggling young player on a terrible Tampa Bay Buccaneers team. After two losing seasons, the Bucs drafted Vinny Testaverde first overall in 1987 and decided Young was expendable. They traded him to San Francisco for just a second- and fourth-round pick.
Young sat behind Joe Montana for a few years before taking over and embarking on a legendary career that included two MVP awards and a Super Bowl victory. Testaverde had a long but unremarkable career, and the Buccaneers remained irrelevant for years. It was another case of a team giving up on a future Hall of Famer far too soon for a paltry return.
Tennessee Titans: Trading Away A.J. Brown (2022)
During the 2022 NFL Draft, the Titans shocked the league by trading their star wide receiver, A.J. Brown, to the Philadelphia Eagles. Unwilling to meet his contract demands, Tennessee sent Brown to the Eagles for a first-round pick (No. 18 overall) and a third-rounder.
Brown immediately signed a $100 million extension with the Eagles and became one of the most dominant receivers in the league, helping lead them to a Super Bowl appearance. The Titans used the first-round pick on receiver Treylon Burks, who struggled with injuries and inconsistent play. It was a classic case of a team refusing to pay its homegrown star, only to watch him thrive elsewhere while his replacement failed to fill his shoes.
Washington Commanders: Trading the Farm for Robert Griffin III (2012)
In 2012, Washington made one of the most aggressive moves in NFL Draft history, sending three first-round picks and a second-round pick to the St. Louis Rams to jump up and select Robert Griffin III with the second overall pick. The team believed RGIII was the superstar quarterback who could revive the franchise and deliver playoff magic to the nation's capital.
Hopes reached a fever pitch as Griffin dazzled in his rookie season, leading Washington to the playoffs and capturing the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award. But the dream quickly unraveled. RGIII suffered a devastating knee injury during the playoffs, and despite attempts at a comeback, he never regained his rookie-year form. The trade left Washington with little draft capital while the Rams used the bounty to rebuild their roster. In the end, the Commanders mortgaged their future for a flash of brilliance that faded almost as quickly as it began, serving as a cautionary tale for teams tempted to swing big on draft night.
