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It’s unfortunate to see how Deshaun Watson’s career has taken a downturn, especially as he attempted to secure a spot behind rookie Cameron Ward after an injury to Tennessee Titans’ wide receiver Treylon Burks. Burks was Tennessee’s first-round pick, acquired in a trade for AJ Brown, whom the Titans chose not to re-sign. The team hoped Burks would seamlessly fill the void left by Brown, but that plan has clearly failed. The Brown-for-Burks trade now looks like one of the worst in recent NFL history. This prompted a review of the century’s most disappointing NFL trades, with the only criterion being the involvement of at least one active player at the time of the deal.
The most disastrous trade is undoubtedly Watson’s move to the Cleveland Browns. Even before Watson was accused by numerous women of sexual misconduct, the Browns gave up three first-round picks from 2022 to 2024, plus additional third- and sixth-round picks, to acquire him. They also signed him to a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract. Watson has only played in 19 of 51 possible games since then and is widely regarded as the worst starting quarterback in the league. The Browns’ gamble has clearly backfired.
Russell Wilson, once a Seattle star, struggled in his final season there due to a finger injury. The Denver Broncos still traded multiple high draft picks and players to acquire him, giving Wilson a massive five-year, $245 million contract with $165 million guaranteed. Wilson’s time in Denver was a disappointment, leading to his eventual release and leaving the Broncos with considerable dead money. The trade and contract are now infamous for their poor outcomes.
Another notable bust was the Raiders’ deal for Randy Moss in 2005. After trading for him with the Vikings, Moss struggled to perform and looked finished by the age of 29. The Raiders eventually traded him for a modest draft pick, while Moss went on to have one of the best wide receiver seasons in NFL history with the Patriots shortly after.
In the AJ Brown and Treylon Burks trade, Brown consistently outperformed expectation in Philadelphia, delivering strong stats and key contributions to two Super Bowl runs, including a Super Bowl win. In contrast, Burks has struggled with injuries and consistency, making the trade appear heavily lopsided.
Other trades, such as Jamal Adams to Seattle, DeAndre Hopkins to the Cardinals, Trent Richardson’s short-lived success, and the Panthers’ gamble on quarterback Bryce Young, also rank among some of the worst due to poor player performance and the valuable assets given up.
Additionally, deals like Daunte Culpepper to Miami over Drew Brees, Antonio Brown’s tumultuous trade to the Raiders, and the Cowboys’ costly pursuits of Joey Galloway and Roy Williams failed to yield the expected results, further underscoring the risk and unpredictability of NFL trades.
Fan Take: This rundown of the worst NFL trades reminds fans just how fragile and unpredictable player careers can be, even for highly touted stars. These cautionary tales highlight the importance of strategic decision-making and patience in team building, which can ultimately shape the future of franchises and the league itself.
