NEW DELHI: Teams often make bold moves in the hope of securing franchise-altering players in the unprecedented world of the NFL. However, recent examples showcase that even the most aggressive trades can yield underwhelming results. Here's a look at some of the notable instances where high-stakes trades did not unfold as expected:
1. Russell Wilson to Denver (2022): The Denver Broncos invested heavily in Russell Wilson, parting with significant draft capital and $124 million for two years.
Unfortunately, the trade is now regarded as one of the worst deals in NFL history, with Wilson's performance falling short of expectations.
2. Herschel Walker to Minnesota (1989): The Dallas Cowboys orchestrated a franchise-defining move by trading Herschel Walker to the Minnesota Vikings. Dallas acquired multiple draft picks, leading to key players like
Emmitt Smith
,
Darren Woodson
, Russell Maryland, and Kevin Smith. Walker's stint with the Vikings did little to elevate the team.
3. O.J. Simpson to San Francisco (1978): The San Francisco 49ers struggled in the late 1970s, and trading for O.J. Simpson didn't alleviate their challenges. The Niners sent five draft picks to Buffalo for the aging star, who had limited impact due to injuries.
4. Brett Favre to Green Bay (1992): The Green Bay Packers acquired Brett Favre from the Atlanta Falcons for a first-round pick after a disappointing rookie season. Favre's arrival sparked a franchise revival, leading to a Super Bowl win and multiple playoff appearances.
5. Trey Lance to San Francisco (2021): The 49ers aggressively moved up in the 2021 draft to select Trey Lance at No. 3 overall. However, Lance's struggles and injuries prompted his trade to Dallas after just four starts.
6. Ricky Williams to New Orleans (1999): Coach Mike Ditka traded the entire 1999 draft class and more to move up and draft Ricky Williams. Williams had a short stint with the Saints, while Washington received multiple picks, including the No. 2 overall selection in 2000.
7. Clinton Portis for Champ Bailey (2004): In a star-for-star trade, Washington dealt Champ Bailey to Denver for Clinton Portis. Portis had a solid career, but Bailey became a Hall of Fame cornerback.
8. Rick Mirer to Chicago (1997): Quarterback Rick Mirer, drafted second overall in 1993, was traded by Seattle to Chicago for a first-round pick. Mirer's brief stint with the Bears yielded poor results, and the Seahawks used the pick to draft cornerback Shawn Springs.
(Inputs from AP)
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