5 Blockbuster Trades In NFL History
Introduction
Players get traded through the NFL often and have been since the start of the big league. Sometimes, however, trades are so important or unexpected that it grabs headlines and shakes up the world of football.
We’re taking a look at five of those blockbuster trades today. These are some of the most notable and consequential trades that have taken place from the 1960s to the early 2020s. If you’re part of the betting crowd, you can see the current roster of each team through an NFL sportsbook.
1. The Herschel Walker Trade
For our first trade, which is often considered the largest in NFL history, we need to go back to 1989. This was where Jimmy Johnson, coach of the Dallas Cowboys, was hungry for more players after a disappointing 1988 season. They did have one asset, however, and that was Herschel Walker. What happened next was the biggest trade in NFL history.
The Minnesota Vikings were interested in acquiring Walker, who they thought would be their ticket to the Super Bowl. The Cowboys finally agreed to give Walker to Minnesota along with three draft picks in the 1990 draft. For this, the Cowboys would get five players and eight picks, five of them conditional.
One of those players from the Vikings, Darrin Nelson, didn’t report in. Trading him to the San Diego Chargers, Johnson revealed that he wasn’t interested in the players being traded, he was interested in the 1991 and 1992 draft picks. Overall, 18 players were involved and it bagged the Cowboys record-setters like Emmitt Smith. The Cowboys would make appearances at the Super Bowl over the next few years while the Vikings failed to get past the playoffs with Walker.
2. The Eric Dickerson Deal
Embed from Getty ImagesIn 1987, Eric Dickerson was considered one of the best in the league. When he asked to be traded from the LA Rams, it started a three-team deal after the season had been cut short by strikes.
It starts with Indianapolis Colts linebacker Cornelius Bennett moving to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for running back Greg Bell and the first-round 1988 pick, and first and second-round picks in 1989. The Colts gave Bell and those three picks, along with their own first and second-round picks, and running back Owen Gill, to the Rams. In exchange, they got Dickerson.
With so many picks given to them, the Rams used them to draft running backs Cleveland Gary and Gaston Green, linebackers Fred Strickland and Frank Stams, defensive end Darryl Henley, and wide receiver Aaron Cox.
The Bills went to the Super Bowl with Bennett while the Rams would make the playoffs multiple times. Dickerson played well for the Colts too but his career was disturbed in the 90s after an injury.
3. The Rams Swindle The Packers
Next, we have that time where Green Bay Packers coach Don Devine wanted the crown jewel of any NFL team, an experienced quarterback who brings in the hype and the crowds. That lucky man would be John Hadl, who led the LA Rams to the playoffs in the 1973 season.
Devin gave up their first and second-round picks for 1975 and 1976, along with their third-round pick for 1975. The Packers got Hadl, who had been benched before the deal went through.
Hadl lasted two unsatisfactory years at the Packers before being transferred to the Houston Oilers. Just like the Eric Dickerson deal, the Rams went shopping with their new draft picks, having come out on top in this trade. The Packers’ draft ability suffered for years to come.
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4. The Chiefs Catch Joe Montana
Joe Montana, of “The Catch” fame, was disillusioned a decade after his legendary play for the San Francisco 49ers. Montana had injured his elbow and missed two seasons, so he wanted to trade to a new team. The 49ers obliged, calling up the Kansas City Chiefs in 1993.
Along with safety David Whitmore and their third-round 1994 pick, the 49ers bagged the Chiefs’ first-round pick in 1993. Both teams benefited after the 49ers acquired defensive tackle Dana Stubblefield, while Montana led the Chiefs to the AFC Championship Game of 1993 and the playoffs in 1994 before retiring.
5. Khalil Mack Gets A Pay Rise
In 2018, Khalil Mack was celebrated as one of the better defensive talents in the league. That talent doesn’t come cheap, however, and Oakland Raiders coach Joe Gruden couldn’t pay his salary, so he traded him. Offering Mack and their second 2020 pick, the Chicago Bears took them up on the deal. In return, the Raiders got two 2019 picks and two 2020 picks.
Just like that, Mack became the highest-paid defensive in the entire NFL, ever. He made the Pro Bowl over the next two seasons while the Bears picked up Rookie of the Year Josh Jacobs.
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