Over the years, the NFL has seen its fair share of questionable trades that had left fans stunned. While some moves helped shape dynasties, others set franchises back for years. Here are the top five worst NFL trades that teams still regret today.
Cleveland made headlines by acquiring Watson from Houston, sacrificing draft picks and committing record-setting money. Watson’s tenure has been mired in controversy and inconsistent play. The Browns’s gamble has yet to yield playoff success.
Freshman Jack Skweres said the trade initially seemed promising but quickly fell apart once Watson’s off-field issues came to light.
“The trade was good originally since Deshaun Watson was in his prime and playing well, but the allegations completely derailed his career,” Skweres said.
Houston stunned the league by trading Hopkins to Arizona in exchange for a modest package that included Johnson. Hopkins excelled with the Cardinals, exposing the Texans’s lack of offensive firepower. The lopsided value made the trade infamous almost immediately.
3: Falcons trade Favre to Packers
Atlanta offloaded Favre to Green Bay for a first-round pick in 1992, only to watch him become a Hall of Famer with the Packers. Favre delivered three MVP awards and a Super Bowl win for Green Bay. Atlanta never recouped meaningful value from the deal.
Denver surrendered multiple first-round selections and players to acquire Wilson from Seattle in 2022. Wilson’s struggles and the team’s disappointing performance turned the deal into an organizational setback. The Broncos remain hampered by lost resources and a massive contract.
Senior Rahul Gajula said the Wilson deal stands out as one of the biggest recent blunders.
“That was pretty bad-honestly up there with the worst trades of all time,” Gajula said.
1: Cowboys trade Walker to Vikings
Dallas sent Walker to Minnesota in 1989, receiving six players and several draft picks in return. While Walker underperformed in Minnesota, the Cowboys built a championship foundation with the assets received. The Walker trade stands as the most lopsided deal in league history.
These trades serve as cautionary tales about the high stakes of NFL front office decisions. Teams must weigh immediate needs against long-term potential carefully. For every trade that builds a dynasty, there is one that haunts a franchise for years to come.
