10 NFL trades that proved unsuccessful for both teams involved

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Trades are an important part of NFL roster building. A strong set of trades could separate a fringe playoff team from a perennial Super Bowl contender. It could also be the difference between a GM getting plaudits and losing a job in the middle of the season.

Typically, an NFL trade has a clear winner and an obvious loser. However, some trades leave both teams unhappy. We’ll be looking at the latter in this piece.

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So, without further ado, here are 10 trades that left a lot to be desired for both teams.

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#10. Jamal Adams – New York Jets to Seattle Seahawks (2020)

Jamal Adams struggled with the Seahawks - Source: Imagn — Jamal Adams struggled with the Seahawks – Source: Imagn

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Jamal Adams was a two-time Pro Bowler when the trade happened. He was viewed as one of the NFL’s best safeties, with a penchant for disrupting opponents’ game plans.

The Seattle Seahawks traded two 1st-round picks, a 3rd-round pick, and safety Bradley McDougald for Adams and a 4th-round pick. The Seahawks made the trade expecting to have one of the game’s best defensive backs in their secondary.

However, Adams struggled immensely in Seattle. The former Pro Bowler had issues with pass coverage, dealt with injuries, and was eventually released after the 2023 season.

As for the Jets, they squandered the draft capital from the Adams deal. They are still searching for their first playoff appearance in 15 seasons.

#9. Robert Griffin III (Draft Swap) – St. Louis Rams and Washington Redskins (2012)

Robert Griffin III's career was impacted because of injuries - Source: Imagn — Robert Griffin III’s career was impacted because of injuries – Source: Imagn

Robert Griffin III was one of the most hyped dual-threat quarterback prospects ever. He won the Heisman Trophy at Baylor and was projected as a top pick in the 2012 NFL draft.

The Washington Redskins traded three 1st-round picks and a 2nd-round pick to the St. Louis Rams, moving up two picks to the No. 2 spot to draft Griffin. The move hardly benefited either team.

Griffin was the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2012, but injuries robbed him of a perennial Pro Bowl-caliber career. Plus, the Redskins were left without sufficient draft capital to select a replacement.

The Rams couldn’t use the picks from the Griffin trade to rebuild their roster. Selections like Greg Robinson, Alec Ogletree, and Michael Brockers made the last days in St. Louis mostly forgettable.

#8. Roy Williams – Detroit Lions to Dallas Cowboys (2008)

Roy Williams' stint with the Cowboys did not last very long - Source: Imagn — Roy Williams’ stint with the Cowboys did not last very long – Source: Imagn

The Dallas Cowboys traded a 1st, 3rd, and 6th-round pick to Detroit for Roy Williams. Williams was a Pro Bowler.

The previously electric wide receiver never got going in Dallas. He amassed a meager 94 receptions over three seasons and left the franchise after the 2010 campaign.

The Detroit Lions squandered the draft capital garnered from the trade. They selected Brandon Pettigrew with a 1st-round pick and Derrick Williams with a 3rd-round pick. Neither helped guide the Lions to glory.

#7. Russell Okung for Trai Turner – Los Angeles Chargers to Carolina Panthers (2020)

Russell Okung was traded to the Panthers in 2020 - Source: Imagn — Russell Okung was traded to the Panthers in 2020 – Source: Imagn

The Los Angeles Chargers and Carolina Panthers swapped Pro Bowlers in 2020. The Chargers got guard Trai Turner while the Panthers got tackle Russell Okung.

Turner played only nine games for the Chargers due to injuries. He was released at the end of the 2020 season.

Okung made just seven starts for the Panthers. He left football in 2021 and pursued a career in cryptocurrency.

#6. Darrelle Revis – New York Jets to Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2013)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers traded a 2013 1st-round pick and a 2014 mid-round pick to the New York Jets for Darrelle Revis. Then, coach Greg Schiano decided to use the perennial Pro Bowler in a zone scheme rather than his trademark man-to-man coverage role.

Revis left Tampa Bay after a forgettable season. As for the Jets, they used the 1st-round pick on defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson. Richardson never meshed well with New York’s culture; he left after four seasons.

#5. Trent Richardson – Cleveland Browns to Indianapolis Colts (2013)

Trent Richardson was drafted at No. 3 by the Browns: Imagn

The Indianapolis Colts parted with a 2014 1st-round pick in exchange for Cleveland Browns running back Trent Richardson. The Browns selected Richardson with the third overall pick the year before.

Richardson left much to be desired in Indianapolis. He averaged a paltry 3.1 yards per carry and was cut within two seasons.

The Browns used that first-round pick from the Richardson trade to select Johnny Manziel in the 2014 draft. The less said about that move, the better.

#4. Ryan Leaf – San Diego Chargers to Arizona Cardinals (1998)

Ryan Leaf's NFL career is remembered as one of the most famous draft busts in sports history - Imagn — Ryan Leaf’s NFL career is remembered as one of the most famous draft busts in sports history – Imagn

The San Diego Chargers sent the No. 3 pick, a 2nd-round pick, a 1999 1st-round pick, KR Eric Metcalf, and LB Patrick Sapp to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for the No. 2 overall pick in the 1998 draft. They used the pick to select Ryan Leaf.

Leaf became one of the biggest quarterback busts in NFL history. He had three forgettable seasons in San Diego before departing as a free agent.

The Cardinals didn’t fare much better. Their draft picks weren’t memorable, while the acquired players did little to change the franchise’s trajectory.

#3. Matt Ryan – Atlanta Falcons to Indianapolis Colts (2022)

Matt Ryan is now the President of Football for the Atlanta Falcons - Source: Imagn — Matt Ryan is now the President of Football for the Atlanta Falcons – Source: Imagn

The Atlanta Falcons annoyed their fan base by sending franchise legend Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts. The Falcons got a 2022 3rd-round pick in return.

Ryan lasted just one season with the Colts. He threw for 3,057 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions in 12 starts before the team released him.

The Falcons used the 3rd-round pick on DeAngelo Malone, who didn’t exactly shift the tide. They are still searching for Ryan’s long-term replacement.

#2. Randy Moss – Minnesota Vikings to Oakland Raiders (2005)

Randy Moss's tenure with the Raiders was considered a disappointment - Source: Imagn — Randy Moss’s tenure with the Raiders was considered a disappointment – Source: Imagn

Randy Moss was acquired by the Oakland Raiders from the Minnesota Vikings for the No. 7 overall pick, a 7th-round pick, and LB Napoleon Harris. It marked the end of a stellar seven-year spell in Minnesota for the perennial All-Pro wide receiver.

The Raiders never got the best out of a disgruntled Moss. He didn’t get along with the coaches or front office and was eventually traded to the New England Patriots for minimal draft consideration.

The Vikings used the No. 7 pick on wide receiver Troy Williamson. Williamson never came close to Moss’ dominance and left Minnesota after three seasons. It took the team almost two decades to replace Moss.

#1. Antonio Brown – Pittsburgh Steelers to Oakland Raiders (2019)

Steelers receiver Antonio Brown was best known for his stint with Pittsburgh - Source: Imagn — Steelers receiver Antonio Brown was best known for his stint with Pittsburgh – Source: Imagn

The Pittsburgh Steelers shipped Antonio Brown to the Oakland Raiders for 3rd- and 5th-round draft picks. It marked the end of a historic nine-season spell for the mercurial wide receiver in Pittsburgh.

Brown never played a game for the Raiders. He clashed with the team’s general manager, suffered frostbitten feet and refused to wear the league-mandated helmet. The Raiders released him before Week 1, without giving him a chance to see the gridiron.

The Steelers used the picks to select Diontae Johnson and Zach Gentry. Neither player thrived in Pittsburgh, and it marked the end of Mike Tomlin’s Super Bowl hopes with the franchise.

Edited by Steffi

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