The worst trades in NFL history

The Broncos failed for years to find a viable quarterback replacement following Peyton Manning's retirement, leading them to send a massive haul to Seattle for Wilson. Denver traded Drew Lock, Noah Fant, Shelby Harris, two first-round picks, two second-round picks, and a fifth-round pick to Seattle for Wilson and a fourth-rounder. Wilson was coming off a down year in Seattle, and things got much worse with his new team, going 11-19 as a starter over two seasons before being released in March of 2024.

Desperate for quarterback help, the Colts traded a third-round pick and conditional first-round pick to Philadelphia for Wentz. Wentz went 9-8 as the starter, failing to make the playoffs and fell out of favor with ownership and the coaching staff. He was traded to Washington the following offseason, where he also only lasted one year.

Hopkins missed significant time in two of his three seasons in Arizona, but the trade still looks suspect for Houston. Bill O'Brien acquired Johnson, a second-round pick, and swapped fourth-round picks with Arizona for Hopkins and a fourth-round pick. Johnson disappointed in two seasons with the Texans, totaling 25 games played. 

Brown went to the Raiders for what was thought to be a cheap price of third- and fifth-round picks after quitting on the Steelers late in the 2018 season. The drama got even worse when Brown arrived to Oakland, however, as he missed part of training camp with frostbite on his feet after failing to wear proper footwear during cryotherapy and then refused to adopt the NFL's new helmet requirements. The Raiders finally released Brown late in camp after he missed additional practices, had guaranteed money voided in his contract and had an altercation with GM Mike Mayock.

The Bears dealt first-, third-, and fourth-round picks  as well as a third-round selection in 2018, to San Francisco to move up just one spot in the 2017 draft for the rights to draft Trubisky. Not only did Trubisky struggle in four seasons with the team, but the Bears also bypassed Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson in favor of the UNC alum. As time goes on, the trade and draft choice look worse and worse for Chicago.

The still competitive Panthers shocked the football world when they traded Benjamin to the Bills for a third- and seventh-round pick at the 2017 trade deadline. As it turned out, Carolina was selling high on the former 1,000 yard receiver, as he had only 217 yards in six games with the Bills and was released after 12 games the following year.

Despite making the Pro Bowl the previous year and starting six games in early 2016, the Patriots traded Collins to the lowly Browns for a third-round pick. Collins signed a contract extension with Cleveland following the year but was cut only two years into the deal. Of course, Collins returned as a top performer in 2019 for the Pats.

Just one year after selecting Richardson third overall in the draft and seeing him run for 950 yards and 11 scores during his rookie season, Cleveland traded the young running back to the Colts for a first-round pick only two weeks into the 2013 season. It was a trade that shocked the league, but the Browns would end up the clear winners after Richardson struggled with the Colts over two seasons. Richardson was cut after the 2014 season and never played another down in the NFL.

Targeting Heisman Trophy winner Griffin III, Washington sent three first-round selections and a second-rounder to the Rams, who were set at quarterback with former first-overall pick Sam Bradford. The blockbuster move was ill-fated for Washington — RG3 hurt his knee at the end of his rookie season, leading to a downward spiral for his career.

The Cowboys acquired Williams, a former Texas Longhorn, from the Lions in October, 2008, for a first-, third- and sixth-round pick. The former Pro Bowl wideout wasn't able to come close to matching his early career performance while with the Cowboys, failing to reach even 600 yards in a season, and he was released following the 2010 season.

A slot receiver and return man in his first three NFL seasons, Welker was traded from Miami to New England in 2007 for second- and seventh-round picks. The wideout went on to become a star with the Patriots, leading the NFL in receptions three times and making five consecutive Pro Bowls.

Moss never quite got comfortable in two expensive seasons with Oakland before the team traded the star wideout to New England for a fourth-round pick in 2007. After pairing with Tom Brady, Moss had one of the best seasons ever by a wide receiver en route to a 16-0 regular season with 1,493 yards and 23 touchdowns. He also surpassed 1,000 yards for the Patriots the following two seasons.

Desperate for a lead back, New Orleans traded first-, third-, fourth-, fifth-, sixth- and seventh-round picks in 1999, along with first- and third-round picks in 2000, to Washington for the second overall pick to take Williams. Williams had a productive NFL career as a running back but played only three seasons with the Saints.

San Diego sent two first-round picks, a second-round pick and two players to the Cardinals to move from No. 3 to No. 2 in the first round. Leaf, the player San Diego selected, set the organization back years. Drafted after Peyton Manning went No. 1 overall to the Colts, Leaf is considered one of the biggest draft busts of all time.

Mirer looked like a huge bust four years into his NFL career with the Seahawks, going 20-31 while completing only 53 percent of his passes. Yet somehow he still fetched a first-round pick from Chicago in a trade. The quarterback started only three games for Chicago, going winless. He was released following the season.

Bettis made the Pro Bowl in his first two NFL seasons with the Rams but struggled during 1995 after the franchise moved to St. Louis and hired a new coaching staff. Team and player decided to move on, with the Rams trading Bettis to Pittsburgh with a third-round pick for the Steelers' second- and fourth-round picks in 1997. St. Louis turned to draft bust Lawrence Phillips with its first-round pick in 1996 instead, while Bettis went on to produce six straight 1,000 yard rushing seasons in Pittsburgh and eventually was enshrined in Canton.

The Rams moved defensive end Sean Gilbert to Washington for the sixth-overall pick. St. Louis brushed Phillips' off-field issues aside to take the former Nebraska running back. He lasted just over one year with the Rams, and Phillips also spurred the team to trade future Hall of Fame back Jerome Bettis.

Cincinnati moved up four spots to No. 1 overall in 1995, trading the expansion Panthers the fifth-overall pick and a second-round pick, to take Penn State running back Carter. Carter, who hurt his knee in his first preseason game, had only 227 carries over four seasons for the Bengals.

Atlanta took Favre 33rd overall in the 1991 draft, but a falling-out with head coach Jerry Glanville caused the team to trade him to Green Bay for a first-round pick just one year later. Even that high return proved to be far too little, as Favre had a Hall of Fame career that included 16 seasons and three MVP Awards with the Packers.

In a blockbuster trade with Atlanta, Indianapolis dealt Chris Hinton, Andre Rison, a 1990 fifth-round pick and 1991 first-round pick for the first overall pick, a fourth-round pick and a conditional pick. George, selected No. 1 overall, went 14-35 in four seasons with the Colts at quarterback.

Jimmy Johnson set up the Cowboys dynasty with an unbelievable trade in 1990, moving star running back Herschel Walker and four draft picks to Minnesota for five players, three first-round picks, three second-round picks, a third-round pick and a sixth-round pick. Walker played only two seasons in Minnesota, failing to rush for 1,000 yards in either campaign.

The Bucs selected Young with the first pick in the 1984 supplemental draft, but he went 3-16 in two seasons in Tampa Bay before getting traded to the 49ers for second- and fourth-round picks. Young would have to wait his turn behind Joe Montana, but he eventually emerged as the full-time starter in 1992 and went on an incredible seven-year run as arguably the best quarterback in the NFL. The Bucs replaced Young with 1987 first overall draft choice Vinny Testaverde, who went 24-48 in six seasons with the team.

Elway was drafted first overall by the Colts in 1983 but refused to play for them. The Broncos sent Chris Hinton, Mark Herrmann and a first-round pick to Baltimore for his rights, and Elway went on to become a Hall of Fame quarterback in Denver.

Selected in the fourth round by the Oilers, Largent didn't even make it to Week 1 in Houston, instead getting traded to Seattle for an eighth-round pick in 1977. The Oilers' impatience proved costly, as Largent went on to have a Hall of Fame career in 14 seasons with Seattle. He made seven Pro Bowls and still ranks in the top 10 all-time with 100 receiving touchdowns.

Desperate for a quarterback, Green Bay gave up a king's ransom to the Rams for Hadl during the 1974 season. The Rams got a huge return with five draft picks. Hadl finished the season 3-3 as a starter but struggled the following year, going just 4-9 in 13 starts.