The worst trade in NFL history?

DENVER, COLORADO – DECEMBER 31: Russell Wilson #3 of the Denver Broncos warms up prior to a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field At Mile High on December 31, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

When you think worst trades in NFL history, what name pops in your head? The first think that comes to mind is Ricky Williams to the Saints. New Orleans traded a first, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh round picks in 1999, along with first and third round picks in 2000 to Washington. Williams was the second overall pick and was an incredible player but the amount given up for a running back looks absurd years later.

There have been others over the years and to keep it local, Wes Welker for a second round pick and Randy Moss for a fourth round pick were absolute steals for the Patriots. The Patriots also traded Jimmy Garoppolo to San Francisco for a second round pick and went on to play in a Super Bowl.

AFC Championship - Baltimore Ravens v New England Patriots

The Broncos trade for Russell Wilson could go down as one of the worst trades as Denver will release the former super bowl champion. Denver traded Drew Lock, Noah Fant, Shelby Harris, two first-round picks, two second-round picks, and a fifth-round pick to Seattle for Wilson and a fourth-rounder. The Broncos were looking for a solution after Peyton Manning retired and after starting 11 quarterbacks since 2016. Wilson went 11-19 over two seasons and had a falling out with head coach Sean Payton and is looking for work at 35 years old.Wilson finished the season with a career-low 3,070 passing yards to go with 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

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Moving on from Wilson now leaves the Broncos with an $85 million dead cap hit for 2024, the largest in NFL history. He won 11 games for a total of $124 million guaranteed; Denver paid three times more per win ($11.2 million) than San Francisco’s paying for Brock Purdy’s entire four-year contract ($3.7 million) per the Athletic

Here are some other recent trades that involved veteran quarterbacks.

Aaron Rodger to the Jets

The Jets swapped 2023 first-rounders, gave up a second and a 2024 second round pick. Rodgers was injured in the first game and did not play the remainder of the season.

Matt Ryan to Colts

Indianapolis sent a third-round pick for Ryan who played only one season and retired.

Browns trade for Deshaun Watson

The Browns offered a no-trade clause and guaranteed Watson's entire five-year, $230M extension. The trade included three first-round picks along with two thirds and a fourth. This could still go down as the worst.

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Joe Murray has worked behind the scenes and on-air in New England since 2007. Murray was born and raised in Boston (Hyde Park) and is now living on the North Shore in Peabody. A graduate of CSB School of Broadcasting, Joe was hired at 98.5 The Sports Hub in 2011 and is the host of Patriots Postgame and the Over/Under Podcast with Dan Lifshatz. Joe was hired as the full-time night show host in 2023, and a featured guest for “The Weekly Spread” on NBC Sports Boston during football season. Joe writes about all New England sports from Patriots football to Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins.