Every NFL Team's Best Trade of All Time

The 2025 NFL trade deadline will pass at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, November 4. Between now and then, several teams will be looking to execute trades that can change the course of their seasons.

Some teams may even be seeking trades that can alter the fortunes of their franchise. While that may seem hyperbolic, history is filled with trades that altered the course of franchises and even the NFL landscape itself.

We may not see an in-season deal that leads to a dynasty this year, but now is the perfect time to examine just how impactful trades can be. Here, you'll find the best trade each NFL team has ever made, based on value, on-field results, overall impact and any team- or player-specific factors.

Arizona Cardinals Received: QB Carson Palmer, 2013 7th-Round Pick

Oakland Raiders Received: 2013 6th-Round Pick, Conditional 2014 7th-Round Pick

The Arizona Cardinals' most recent NFC West title came in 2015 and marked the pinnacle of their run with quarterback Carson Palmer. They acquired the three-time Pro Bowler in 2013 via a budget-friendly deal with the then-Oakland Raiders.

Ready to move on from Palmer after two disappointing seasons, the Raiders sent Palmer and a seventh-round pick to Arizona for a sixth-round pick and a conditional seventh-rounder. Palmer wasted little time in taking the Cardinals back to relevance.

Palmer went 10-6 in his first season in Arizona, and he went 6-0 in 2014 before suffering a torn ACL. He came back in 2015 to go 13-3.

While the last two years of Palmer's career were underwhelming, his overall stint in Arizona was a success. He finished his Cardinals tenure with a 38-21-1 record, 16,782 passing yards and 105 passing touchdowns.

Palmer is still the last quarterback to deliver a playoff win to Phoenix. Not a bad return for a couple of late-round picks.

Atlanta Falcons Received: 2011 1st-Round Pick

Cleveland Browns Received: 2011 1st-Round Pick, 2011 2nd-Round Pick, 2011 4th-Round Pick, 2012 1st-Round Pick, 2012 4th-Round Pick

The Atlanta Falcons' 2001 trade up to obtain Michael Vick earned consideration here, but their trade to acquire Julio Jones 10 years later ultimately had a bigger impact.

Vick was an electric playmaker who helped usher in the modern era of NFL quarterbacking. He also won 38 games for Atlanta, made three Pro Bowls and delivered two playoff berths. However, Jones should be a first-ballot Hall of Famer and has already established himself on the Falcons' Mt. Rushmore since 2000.

Trading up from No. 27 slot to No. 6 in the 2011 draft was costly, but it wound up being worth the price. Atlanta landed a seven-time Pro Bowler who led the league in receiving yards twice and who helped deliver the Falcons' only Super Bowl appearance this century. Had the Falcons actually won Super Bowl LI, Jones' incredible fourth-quarter catch in that game would have a special place in postseason lore.

Jones racked up 12,896 receiving yards and 60 receiving touchdowns during his decade as the face of the Falcons.

Baltimore Ravens Received: 2018 1st-Round Pick, 2018 4th-Round Pick

Philadelphia Eagles Received: 2018 2nd-Round Pick, 2018 4th-Round Pick, 2019 2nd-Round Pick

The Baltimore Ravens have had three standout eras since they moved from Cleveland in 1996 and became a new franchise. There were the defensively dominant Ravens who won the Super Bowl in 2000, and there were the more balanced Ravens—who still had defensive stars like Ray Lewis and Ed Reed—who followed Joe Flacco to a Super Bowl win in 2012.

There is also Baltimore's current incarnation, an offensively dynamic squad forged with the 2018 draft-day trade for quarterback Lamar Jackson.

Baltimore essentially dealt a pair of second-round picks—along with a fourth-round swap—to move back into the first round and secure Jackson. Doing so gave the Ravens a fifth-year contract option on one of the most unique players in NFL history.

Since becoming the Ravens' starter as a rookie, Jackson has racked up more than 20,000 passing yards, more than 6,300 rushing yards, five playoff berths, four Pro Bowls and two league MVP awards. He's become one of the faces of the modern NFL, and the cost to get him was relatively minimal.

Buffalo Bills Received: 1983 1st-Round Pick, 1984 3rd-Round Pick, 1985 5th-Round Pick

Cleveland Browns Received: LB Tom Cousineau

Back in 1979, the Buffalo Bills used the first overall pick in the NFL draft on Ohio State linebacker Tom Cousineau. However, Cousineau opted to go to the CFL, where he played for the Montreal Alouettes. When Cousineau finally decided to play in the NFL, the Bills chose to trade him.

It ended up being a brilliant move for Buffalo, as Cousineau brought back first-, third- and fifth-round picks from the Cleveland Browns. The Bills used the 1983 first-round selection (14th overall) on Miami quarterback Jim Kelly, who eventually helped spark an NFL dynasty.

Like Cousineau, Kelly initially shunned the Bills, beginning his pro career with the USFL's Houston Gamblers. Once the USFL folded, though, Kelly returned to Buffalo and spent 11 years with the franchise.

While Kelly never led the Bills to a championship, he helped guide them to four straight Super Bowl appearances, eight postseason trips and six division titles.

Kelly played his entire NFL career with the Bills, finishing with 35,467 passing yards and a 101-59 record. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002.

Carolina Panthers Received: TE Greg Olsen

Chicago Bears Received: 2012 3rd-Round Pick

Tight end Greg Olsen, a 2007 first-round pick out of Miami, had a solid four-year run with the Chicago Bears. But after a 2011 trade landed him with the Carolina Panthers, he became a franchise legend.

Olsen spent nine years in Carolina and racked up 524 receptions, 6,463 receiving yards, 39 touchdowns and three Pro Bowls with the Panthers. He also played a pivotal role in the development of 2011 No. 1 overall pick Cam Newton and Carolina's 2015 run to Super Bowl 50.

"I've been on record—my nine years with Cam was the best nine years of my career, and it was not by accident," Olsen said on Kevin Hart's podcast in 2024 (h/t Anthony Rizzuti of Panthers Wire). "Just bein' able to be along as I grew as a player, as he grew as a quarterback."

Olen helped Newton become an NFL phenomenon while carving out his own reputation as one of the most dependable tight ends in the game. The Panthers made four playoff appearances and won three division titles during Olsen's run.

That's a strong return for a team-friendly third-round investment.

Chicago Bears Received: 1965 1st-Round Pick

Pittsburgh Steelers Received: 1964 2nd-Round Pick, 1964 4th-Round Pick

The Chicago Bears didn't know exactly what they'd be getting when they agreed to a 1964 draft-day deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. They ended up landing one of the most prolific players of the era, if not NFL history.

On the opening day of the 1964 draft, Chicago traded its second- and fourth-round picks to Pittsburgh for the Steelers' 1965 first-round pick. That ended up being the third overall selection, which the Bears used on linebacker Dick Butkus.

Butkus played his entire nine-year career in Chicago, establishing himself as one of the best players in franchise history. He started all 119 games in which he appeared.

A two-time Defensive Player of the Year, eight-time Pro Bowler, five-time first-team All-Pro and three-time second-team All-Pro, Butkus remains one of the most decorated defenders to ever step onto an NFL field.

Butkus was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979, and the Bears retired his No. 51 jersey in 1994.

Cincinnati Bengals Got: RB James Brooks

San Diego Chargers Got: RB Pete Johnson

Back in 1984, the Cincinnati Bengals and San Diego Chargers agreed to swap disgruntled running backs. The move worked out far better for Cincinnati than it did for the Chargers.

Pete Johnson—who departed Cincinnati as its franchise rushing leader but wanted a new contract at the time—was largely a bust for the Chargers. He was traded to the Miami Dolphins after three games and retired after the 1984 season.

Brooks, meanwhile, spent eight seasons with the Bengals. He eclipsed Johnson as the Bengals' all-time rushing leader with 6,447 yards (since surpassed by Corey Dillon) and played a significant role during Cincinnati's return to the Super Bowl in 1988.

While Brooks was a Chargers first-round pick in 1981 and also played for the Browns and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he is best remembered for his time in Cincinnati. He helped the Bengals make the postseason twice and made all four of his Pro Bowls as a member of the franchise.

For Cincinnati, the transition from Johnson to Brooks was quite the succession plan.

Cleveland Browns Received: OT Mike McCormack, DT Don Colo, LB Tom Catlin, DB John Petitbon, G Herschell Forester

Baltimore Colts Received: DB Don Shula, DB Bert Rechichar, DB Carl Taseff, LB Ed Sharkey, E Gern Nagler, QB Harry Agganis, T Dick Batten, T Stu Sheets, G Art Spinney, G Elmer Willhoite

While the Browns have been anything but a model franchise in recent years, there was a time when they were one of the top teams in pro football. Cleveland's history is littered with Hall of Famers, including one whom it acquired while he was still serving in the Korean War.

McCormack was a Pro Bowler for the New York Yanks in 1951 before he was called into military service. His rights were transferred to the Baltimore Colts when the Yanks folded, and the Browns made him the centerpiece of a blockbuster 15-player trade in 1953.

McCormack began his nine-year Browns career in 1954 and made a massive impact for the franchise. He made five Pro Bowls in Cleveland, helped push Cleveland to four playoff berths and helped deliver NFL championships in 1954 and 1955.

"He was [a] stabilizing factor throughout the period that he played for us," former Browns coach Paul Brown said of McCormack, per the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

McCormack was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1984.

Dallas Cowboys Received: 1990 1st-, 2nd- and 6th-Round Picks, 1991 1st- and 2nd-round Picks, 1992 1st-, 2nd- and 3rd-Round Picks. LB Jesse Solomon, LB David Howard, CB Issiac Holt, DE Alex Stewart

Minnesota Vikings Received: RB Herschel Walker, 1990 3rd-Round Pick, 1990 5th-Round Pick (via Chargers), 1990 10th-Round Pick, 1991 3rd-Round Pick

The 1989 Herschel Walker trade still stands as an example of how viewpoint matters. From the Minnesota Vikings' perspective, it was one of the worst deals in NFL history. Through the Dallas Cowboys' lens, it was one of the best.

Walker was a two-time Pro Bowler with the Cowboys, but Minnesota's offer was far too great to ignore. While plenty of players were involved in the deal, the draft picks changed the Cowboys franchise forever.

Dallas turned those draft selections into players like running back Emmitt Smith, safety Darren Woodson and defensive tackle Russell Maryland. That helped set the stage for the franchise's dominant run in the 1990s.

The Cowboys went on to win three Super Bowls with the players whom they acquired in the Walker trade serving as core pieces. Meanwhile, the Vikings got only 40 starts, 2,945 scrimmage yards and 25 touchdowns out of Walker.

Denver Broncos Received: QB John Elway

Baltimore Colts Received: OL Chris Hinton, QB Mark Herrmann, 1984 1st-Round Pick

The Colts used the first overall pick in the 1983 draft on Stanford quarterback John Elway. However, Elway had no interest in playing for Baltimore. He instead appeared poised to play baseball for the New York Yankees, who had selected him in the second round of the 1981 draft.

"We haven't ruled out football, but it doesn't look good right now," Elway said after the Colts drafted him, per Michael Janofsky of The New York Times.

However, the Denver Broncos stepped in and ensured that Elway would become a future Pro Football Hall of Famer. Denver agreed to send 1983 fourth overall pick Chris Hinton, backup quarterback Mark Herrmann and a 1984 first-round pick to Baltimore in exchange for Elway.

Elway went on to be the most prolific quarterback in Broncos history. He played his entire 16-year career in Denver, made nine Pro Bowls, threw for 51,475 yards with 300 touchdowns and guided the Broncos to 10 playoff berths and two Lombardi Trophies.

Following his playing career, Elway spent another 11 seasons with the Broncos in various operational roles. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004.

Detroit Lions Received: QB Jared Goff, 2021 3rd-Round Pick, 2022 1st-Round Pick, 2023 1st-Round Pick

Los Angeles Rams Received: QB Matthew Stafford

The 2021 swap of quarterbacks Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff is one of the bigger (and rare) win-win trades we've seen in recent NFL history.

The Detroit Lions agreed to send Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams while also absorbing the four years and $106.6 million remaining on Goff's contract. That was big for the Rams, who were looking to get out from under Goff's deal while finding a better fit for head coach Sean McVay's offense.

Stafford helped lead the Rams to a Super Bowl victory in his first season in L.A., while Goff has since established himself as Detroit's new franchise quarterback. The 31-year-old could lead Detroit's offense for the next half-decade or more.

To make the swap, the Lions also added draft picks that—through subsequent draft deals—turned into key contributors like running back Jahmyr Gibbs, tight end Sam LaPorta, wide receiver Jameson Williams and cornerback Ifeatu Melifonwu.

While Detroit didn't land a dynasty-sparking haul in the mold of the Herschel Walker trade, the Stafford deal helped set up the most competitive run of the franchise's modern era.

Green Bay Packers Received: QB Brett Favre

Atlanta Falcons Received: 1992 1st-Round Pick

The Green Bay Packers have had an incredible run of quality quarterback play that began with their 1992 trade for Brett Favre.

The Packers acquired the 17th overall pick in the 1992 draft in a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, which makes the Favre trade look even better. Green Bay got that pick by trading down from No. 8 to No. 19 in the 1991 draft, then flipped the 1992 first-rounder for Favre.

Favre, the 33rd overall pick in 1991, immediately established himself as Green Bay's franchise quarterback and went on to become one of the most prolific passers in NFL history.

Over 16 seasons with the Packers—he played three more after leaving Green Bay—Favre threw for 61,655 yards and won 160 regular-season games. He was a three-time MVP and a nine-time Pro Bowler with the franchise, and he helped deliver a victory in Super Bowl XXXI.

Favre was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016, his first year of eligibility.

Houston Texans Received: 2022 1st-Round Pick, 2022 4th-Round Pick, 2023 1st-Round Pick, 2023 3rd-Round Pick, 2024 1st-Round Pick, 2024 4th-Round Pick

Cleveland Browns Received: QB Deshaun Watson, 2024 6th-Round Pick

The Browns' 2022 deal for quarterback Deshaun Watson might be the worst trade in NFL history. From the Houston Texans' viewpoint, however, it was incredible.

Watson had refused to play for the Texans in 2021 after officially requesting a trade. Despite his trade request, time away from the field and demand for a new contract, Houston was still able to get an absurd package of picks out of Cleveland for Watson.

Getting three first-round picks and more for a quarterback who had no intention of suiting up for them again was masterful work by the Texans. That's without factoring in the multiple lawsuits Watson faced from women accusing him of sexual assault or misconduct.

It certainly helped that the Falcons and New Orleans Saints were also in on Watson, which ignited a bidding war that the Browns eventually "won." However, this was still a terrific deal for Houston.

Cleveland's picks and ensuing trades allowed the Texans to add players like Will Anderson Jr., Tank Dell and Kamari Lassiter, helping to make the post-Watson era successful.

Indianapolis Colts Received: 1994 1st-Round Pick, 1994 3rd-Round Pick and Conditional 1996 1st-Round Pick

Atlanta Falcons Received: QB Jeff George

The Colts traded up to select quarterback Jeff George with the first overall pick in the 1990 draft. However, George's time in Indianapolis didn't go particularly well. He had four largely unforgettable seasons, finishing with a 14-35 record.

Before the 1993 season, his last with the Colts, George initially refused to report to training camp. He eventually ended his holdout, but the Colts moved to part ways with him after the year. Fortunately, they found a willing trade partner in the Falcons.

The Colts pivoted to Jim Harbaugh at quarterback before drafting Peyton Manning first overall in 1998. Moving away from George rid the Colts of a big potential headache while netting them a strong return. Atlanta's offer included the seventh overall pick in the 1994 draft, a third-rounder and a conditional 1996 second-round pick that became a first-rounder.

That 1996 selection turned into future Hall of Fame wideout Marvin Harrison Sr.

Harrison spent his entire 13-year career in Indianapolis, made eight Pro Bowls and retired as the franchise's all-time receiving leader with 14,580 yards. He and Manning formed one of the top QB-WR duos of all-time, and Harrison was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016.

Jacksonville Jaguars Received: QB Mark Brunell

Green Bay Packers Received: 1995 3rd-Round Pick, 1995 5th-Round Pick

The Jacksonville Jaguars franchise began play in 1995. Before they ever played a game, they made a move for Packers quarterback Mark Brunell.

The deal for Brunell was the first in Jaguars history and remains the best.

Jacksonville sent third- and fifth-round picks to the Packers in exchange for Brunell, who entered the league as a fifth-round pick out of Washington. He immediately became the Jaguars' starter and held that role for nine seasons.

During his time with the upstart franchise, Brunell made three Pro Bowls and helped deliver four playoff berths. He also led Jacksonville to two AFC title game appearances in its first five seasons as a franchise. The Jaguars' search for a worthy successor has been an ongoing struggle.

Brunell remains the Jaguars' all-time leading passer with 25,698 yards. He remains the only quarterback who has appeared in 100 games for the franchise, and his 63 wins are more than double that of any other Jaguars quarterback, with the exception of David Garrard (39).

In its 30 years of existence, Jacksonville won as many playoff games with Brunell as it has without him (four apiece).

Kansas City Chiefs Received: 2017 1st-Round Pick

Buffalo Bills Received: 2017 1st-Round Pick, 2017 3rd-Round Pick, 2018 1st-Round Pick

This was one of the easiest choices to make, as quarterback Patrick Mahomes has already put himself in the greatest-of-all-time conversation. He's helped bring three Lombardi Trophies to the Kansas City Chiefs and has turned the franchise into a dynasty.

Since Mahomes became a full-time starter in 2018, the Chiefs have not missed an AFC title game. He's playing at an MVP level again this season, and it'll be a shock if Kansas City doesn't go deep into the postseason this year.

Of course, Mahomes was not viewed as a sure thing entering the 2017 draft, although a lot of scouting reports on him have since disappeared from the web. However, the Chiefs saw something special and dealt a future first-round pick and a third-rounder to move up from No. 27 to No. 10.

This allowed Kansas City to jump the Saints, who were torn between Mahomes and cornerback Marshon Lattimore. We'd say that the rest is history, but Mahomes is still adding to his already Hall of Fame-worthy career.

Oakland Raiders Received: CB Willie Brown, QB Mickey Slaughter

Denver Broncos Received: DT Rex Mirich and 1967 3rd-Round Pick

The Las Vegas Raiders have been on the wrong end of many trades over the years. However, their 1967 move to acquire cornerback Willie Brown was a proverbial home run.

The then-Oakland Raiders sent defensive tackle Rex Mirich and a third-round pick to Denver for Brown and quarterback Mickey Slaughter. While Slaughter never appeared in a game for the Raiders, Brown went on to become a franchise legend.

A 1963 undrafted free agent out of Grambling, Brown was a first-team All-Pro and a two-time Pro Bowler during his four years in Denver. He spent the final 12 years of his career in Oakland, where he continued to pile up the hardware.

Brown made seven Pro Bowls and was a four-time first-team All-Pro as a Raider. He also snagged a franchise-record 39 interceptions with the club. He helped Oakland reach the postseason nine times and helped deliver the franchise's first Super Bowl victory.

His 75-yard interception return for a touchdown in Super Bowl XI remains one of the top plays in NFL postseason history. Brown was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1984.

San Diego Chargers Received: QB Philip Rivers, 2004 3rd-Round Pick, 2005 1st-Round Pick, 2005 5th-Round Pick

New York Giants Received: QB Eli Manning

Now that college football is in the NIL era, we may eventually see another top prospect refuse to play for whichever team lands the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. It's happened before, and Eli Manning changed the course of three franchises when he told the San Diego Chargers that he wouldn't play for them.

"I quietly tried to say 'Hey, please don't draft me, it can be our secret,' and they didn't keep the secret part very well," Manning told 10 Questions with Kyle Brandt in 2021 (h/t John Breech of CBS Sports).

The Chargers did find a way to capitalize, though. They used the No. 1 overall pick on Manning, then agreed to trade him to the New York Giants for Philip Rivers and an impressive package of picks that helped build up Rivers' supporting cast.

Manning went on to win two Super Bowls with the Giants, while Rivers never took the Chargers that deep into the postseason. However, he had an impressive career as their franchise quarterback after they parted ways with Drew Brees, who went on to be the New Orleans Saints' franchise signal-caller.

In 16 seasons with San Diego/Los Angeles, Rivers threw for 59,271 yards, won 123 regular-season games and made eight Pro Bowls. He also delivered six playoff berths and four division titles after becoming the full-time starter in 2006.

St. Louis Rams Received: RB Marshall Faulk

Indianapolis Colts Received: 1999 2nd-Round Pick, 1999 5th-Round Pick

This was a tough one to decide on since the Rams' 2021 trade for Matthew Stafford was so successful. Of course, that deal was also quite expensive, costing Los Angeles quarterback Jared Goff, a 2021 third-round pick and first-round picks in both 2022 and 2023.

The then-St. Louis Rams' trade for running back Marshall Faulk was equally successful and was much more of a bargain. Prying the three-time Pro Bowler away from the Colts only cost St. Louis second- and fifth-round picks. With the Rams, Faulk immediately became an integral contributor to the "Greatest Show on Turf."

Along with stars like Kurt Warner, Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt, Faulk won the Super Bowl in his first season with the Rams. He led the NFL with 2,429 scrimmage yards that season, which remained an NFL record until Chris Johnson broke it a decade later.

Faulk had several more successful seasons with St. Louis, finishing his seven-year Rams career with 11,030 scrimmage yards, 85 touchdowns, four Pro Bowls, three Offensive Player of the Year awards and one league MVP. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011, his first year of eligibility.

Miami Dolphins Received: G Larry Little

San Diego Chargers Received: CB Mack Lamb

As we're reminded at least once every season, the 1972 Dolphins are the only undefeated team in NFL history. The 1972 season was the second of three straight Super Bowl appearances for Miami and the first of two victories.

Plenty of decisions helped turn the Dolphins into a dynasty in the early '70s, including their 1969 trade for guard Larry Little. To secure Little, Miami sent cornerback Mack Lamb to the Chargers.

While Lamb played only 15 games for the Dolphins and never saw regular-season action with the Chargers, Little went on to have a Hall of Fame career in Miami. He was a Pro Bowler in his first season with the Dolphins and achieved first-team All-Pro honors for five straight seasons with the franchise.

Little helped Miami reach three Super Bowls and win two. He ended up spending 12 years with the club in total. While the Dolphins didn't get back to the Super Bowl until 1982, two years after Little retired, they made six total playoff runs with him as their starting guard.

In all, Little started 152 regular-season games for Miami. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993.

Minnesota Vikings Received: Edge Jared Allen, 2009 6th-Round Pick

Kansas City Chiefs Received: 2008 1st-Round Pick, 2008 3rd-Round Pick, 2008 3rd-Round Pick, 2008 6th-Round Pick

This year's Micah Parsons trade was a stunner because great pass-rushers are rarely available while still in their playing prime. Such deals do occasionally occur, however. Minnesota's 2008 trade for Jared Allen serves as a prime example.

At the time, Allen was looking for a new contract and was unhappy with Kansas City's offer. (Sound familiar, Cowboys fans?). The Chiefs wound up franchise-tagging him, but they later decided to trade him.

The Vikings stepped in, sending a first-round pick, two third-rounders and a sixth-round pick swap for the future Hall of Famer. The move paid off in a big way for Minnesota.

Allen spent six seasons with the Vikings, racking up 85.5 sacks, four Pro Bowls and three first-team All-Pro nods along the way. He helped Minnesota reach the playoffs in his first year with the club, and he helped them reach the NFC Championship Game in 2009—along with Brett Favre, of course.

While Allen only spent half of his 12-year career in Minnesota, he retired as a Viking and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this past summer.

New England Patriots Received: WR Randy Moss

Oakland Raiders Received: 2007 4th-Round Pick

Back in 2007, the Raiders decided that they were ready to part with star receiver Randy Moss. The New England Patriots stepped in and got themselves a legitimate game-changer to pair with quarterback Tom Brady.

"We felt this was the best scenario for both the Raiders and Randy," then-Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin said, per NFL.com.

It certainly was for Moss, who immediately revived his Hall of Fame career with a 1,493-yard, 23-touchdown season. That 23-touchdown mark remains a single-season NFL record.

The deal was great for the Patriots, too. While pairing Moss and Brady didn't lead to a Lombardi Trophy, it did result in the first 16-0 regular season in NFL history.

Moss lasted a little over three years with the Patriots before they also decided to move on. However, that fourth-round pick they sent to Oakland in 2004 got them 51 starts, 3,904 receiving yards, 50 receiving touchdowns, three 1,000-yard campaigns and a spot in the regular-season record books.

The Raiders wound up using that fourth-round pick on cornerback John Bowie, who only appeared in five games with the franchise. At least Kiffin was half-right.

New Orleans Saints Received: 1993 1st-Round Pick, 1993 4th-Round Pick

Detroit Lions Received: LB Pat Swilling

Linebacker Pat Swilling was a four-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro during his seven years with the Saints, but New Orleans cashed in on the former third-round pick at exactly the right time.

In 1993, the Saints agreed to send Swilling to Detroit in exchange for first- and fourth-round picks. They proceeded to use both selections very wisely.

New Orleans used the first-round pick (No. 8 overall) on offensive tackle Willie Roaf, who spent nine years with the Saints and made seven Pro Bowls with two first-team All-Pro appearances in that time. He locked down the all-important left-tackle position in the process.

Roaf was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012.

With the fourth-round selection (89th overall), the Saints selected fullback Lorenzo Neal. While Neal spent only four years in New Orleans, he appeared in 50 games and later became an All-Pro with the Chargers late in his 16-year career.

Meanwhile, Swilling made only one more Pro Bowl after leaving New Orleans and played just 30 games for the Lions.

New York Giants Received: QB Eli Manning

San Diego Chargers Received: QB Philip Rivers, 2004 3rd-Round Pick, 2005 1st-Round Pick, 2005 3rd-Round Pick

True win-win trades in the NFL are rare, but the Eli Manning-Philip Rivers swap of 2004 was certainly one of them.

The Chargers did an excellent job of maximizing the value of a quarterback who had no intention of playing for them. The Giants, meanwhile, jumped on the opportunity to grab a franchise quarterback who could endure the scrutiny of the New York market.

While getting Manning wasn't exactly a bargain, the trade paid for itself many times over. The Mississippi product spent his entire 16-year career in New York, started 234 games, proved to be incredibly durable—his streak of 210 consecutive starts was ended by head coach Ben McAdoo switching quarterbacks, not an injury—and led the Giants to six playoff berths and two Super Bowls.

New York won both of its Manning-led Super Bowl appearances over the vaunted Patriots, with Manning earning Super Bowl MVP in both contests. That earned both Manning and the trade to acquire him places in NFL history.

New York Jets Received: No. 2 Overall Pick in 1965 AFL Draft

Houston Oilers Received: QB Jerry Rhome

This was a fairly easy one. While the New York Jets have a storied franchise, they've only won one championship since the AFL-NFL merger. That came in Super Bowl III, a game that Joe Namath guaranteed his underdog Jets would win.

A few years before Super Bowl III, the Jets struck a deal to bring Namath to New York as their new franchise quarterback.

As Namath was finishing his collegiate career at Alabama, the AFL and NFL were engaged in a bitter rivalry and battling for top draft prospects. Since Namath wanted to play in New York, the Houston Oilers agreed to trade the No. 2 overall pick in the AFL draft to the Jets in an effort to get Namath into their league. In exchange, they received the rights to quarterback Jerry Rhome.

The tactic worked, as Namath signed with the Jets instead of the NFL's St. Louis Cardinals, who had selected him with the 12th overall pick in their draft. The Jets went on to win Super Bowl III, and the AFL established itself as a true peer to the NFL. The two leagues officially became one during the 1970 season.

Broadway Joe became a global icon, a Jets legend and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.

Philadelphia Eagles Received: WR A.J. Brown

Tennessee Titans Received: 2022 1st-Round Pick, 2022 3rd-Round Pick

Sometimes, great trades are simply the product of a team maximizing an advantageous situation. That's precisely what happened when the Eagles pried wideout A.J. Brown away from the Tennessee Titans.

Brown averaged just under 1,000 receiving yards and eight touchdowns per season during his first three years in the NFL, but he wanted an extension after Year 3 that the Titans weren't willing to offer.

"This wasn't my fault," Brown told ESPN's Turron Davenport after the trade. "I wanted to stay, but the deal they offered was a low offer."

The Eagles haven't missed the playoffs since adding Brown. They've been to two Super Bowls and won one with him leading the receiving corps.

The Eagles were more than happy to acquire and pay the Mississippi product. Philadelphia gave up the 18th and 101st picks in the 2022 draft to land Brown. It then signed him to a four-year, $100 million contract.

Since arriving in Philadelphia, Brown has racked up 4,426 receiving yards, 28 touchdowns and two Pro Bowl nods. He's also helped Jalen Hurts develop into a franchise quarterback.

The Eagles, meanwhile, haven't missed the playoffs since adding Brown and have been to two Super Bowls, winning one, with him leading their receiving corps.

Steelers Received: 2003 1st-Round Pick

Kansas City Chiefs Received: 2003 1st-Round Pick, 2003 3rd-Round Pick, 2003 6th-Round Pick

This was a tough one since the Pittsburgh Steelers have made two pivotal trades that helped deliver Lombardi Trophies over the past 30 years.

Back in 1996, the Steelers traded a 1996 second-round pick and 1997 fourth-rounder to the Rams for running back Jerome Bettis and a 1996 third-round pick. Bettis went on to run for more than 10,000 yards in Pittsburgh, won a Super Bowl with the Steelers and ended up in the Hall of Fame.

While the Bettis deal was undoubtedly fantastic, the 2003 draft-day trade that led to Troy Polamalu was arguably better. Pittsburgh sent third- and sixth-round picks to the Chiefs to move up from 27th overall to 16th overall and secure the USC product.

Polamalu spent all 12 of his NFL seasons with the Steelers and was an eight-time Pro Bowler, a four-time first-team All-Pro and a one-time Defensive Player of the Year. He helped the Steelers win two Super Bowls and reach a third during his tenure, and he helped define what a modern NFL safety can be.

With 32 interceptions, 14 forced fumbles, 783 tackles, 12 sacks and 56 tackles for loss in his career, Polamalu was truly a do-it-all defender. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020, his first year of eligibility.

San Francisco 49ers Received: 1985 1st-Round Pick, 1985 3rd-Round Pick

New England Patriots Received: 1985 1st-Round Pick, 1985 2nd-Round Pick, 1985 3rd-Round Pick

This was arguably the toughest pick to make out of any team. In 1987, the San Francisco 49ers traded for eventual Super Bowl-winning quarterback, two-time MVP and Hall of Famer Steve Young, yet Young wasn't the pick here.

Two years before the Young deal, the 49ers traded up for the chance to draft an intriguing Mississippi Valley State product named Jerry Rice. San Francisco traded first-, second- and third-round picks to the Patriots for New England's first- and third-round selections. By doing so, they jumped the Cowboys for the chance to draft Rice and added the greatest wide receiver in NFL history.

Rice went on to help the 49ers win three Super Bowls. He was named the Super Bowl XXIII MVP, won two Offensive Player of the Year awards and earned 10 first-team All-Pro nods. He also still holds the NFL records for career receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.

The trade for Young helped extend San Francisco's dynasty by several years. The trade to draft Rice changed NFL history and helped set a bar for receivers that has yet to be surpassed.

Seattle Seahawks Received: RB Marshawn Lynch

Buffalo Bills Received: 2011 4th-Round Pick, Conditional 2012 5th-Round Pick

Many fans will argue that the Seattle Seahawks' run in the 2010s began with the 2012 draft, during which the franchise added the likes of Bobby Wagner, Russell Wilson and Bruce Irvin. However, the initial spark might have actually come during the 2010 season, when the Seahawks added running back Marshawn Lynch.

The Bills originally selected Lynch with the 12th overall pick in the 2007 draft. However, they opted to move on a few years later, and Seattle used the opportunity to add a franchise centerpiece.

Lynch quickly established himself as the centerpiece of Seattle's offense, making the Pro Bowl four times and leading the league in rushing touchdowns twice during his time with the Seahawks. He helped head coach Pete Carroll implement a successful game plan that emphasized the rushing attack and a strong defense, and he helped deliver a Super Bowl to Seattle in 2013.

In addition to bringing the Seahawks a championship, Lynch provided 6,381 rushing yards, 58 rushing touchdowns, four division titles, two Super Bowl appearances and one historic "Beast Quake."

That's a pretty good return for a pair of middle-round picks.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Received: 1995 1st-Round Pick, 1995 2nd-Round Pick, 1995 2nd-Round Pick

Philadelphia Eagles Received: 1995 1st-Round Pick, 1995 3rd-Round Pick

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a few highs during their early years as an NFL franchise. However, they played for more than a quarter of a century before winning their first Super Bowl.

A savvy trade at the top of the 1995 draft helped set the stage for Tampa's first championship.

The Bucs traded out of the No. 7 spot in that draft so that the Eagles could secure defensive lineman Mike Mamula. Tampa moved back a mere five spots and still landed Miami defensive tackle Warren Sapp. Along the way, it picked up a pair of second-round picks while giving up a third-rounder.

Tampa then flipped a pair of second-round picks for Dallas' 28th overall selection. With that pick, the Bucs grabbed Florida State linebacker Derrick Brooks.

Sapp was a four-time first-team All-Pro, while Brooks was a five-time first-team All-Pro. Both went on to reach the Pro Football Hall of Fame and formed the foundation of the Bucs' 2002 championship defense.

While the Buccaneers didn't exactly turn that No. 7 pick into two Hall of Famers and a championship, it was close. Tampa kept the first second-rounder it received from Philadelphia (43rd overall) while trading the second and its own second-round pick (41st) in the deal for Brooks.

Houston Oilers Received: 1996 1st-Round Pick, 1996, 2nd-Round Pick, 1996 4th-Round Pick

Oakland Raiders Received: 1996 1st-Round Pick

The Titans used to be the Oilers, and while their 1978 trade to acquire future Hall of Famer Earl Campbell was terrific, it was also expensive.

To move up from No. 17 to No. 1 that year, Houston gave up tight end Jimmy Giles, a 1978 second-round pick and third- and fifth-round picks in 1979.

In terms of value, the 1996 draft-day deal that landed running back Eddie George was better. Houston traded down from the No. 9 slot, obtaining the Raiders' 17th overall pick along with second- and fourth-rounders. The Oilers then flipped the 17th pick and defensive tackle Glenn Montgomery for the 14th pick, which they used on George.

One can certainly argue that Campbell was a better running back than George. He led the league in rushing in each of his first three seasons while winning one MVP and three Offensive Player of the Year awards.

Although George never equaled Campbell's highs, he also proved to be remarkably durable. He spent eight years with the Oilers/Titans without ever missing a start. He made four Pro Bowls with the franchise while helping to facilitate the 1997 move to Tennessee and the 1999 name change.

George also helped the Titans reach the Super Bowl in 1999 and remains the franchise's all-time rushing leader with 10,009 yards. Tennessee retired his No. 27 jersey in 2019.

Washington Commanders Received: QB Sonny Jurgensen

Philadelphia Eagles Received: QB Norm Snead, DB Claude Crabb

Finding a franchise quarterback has never been an easy task in the NFL, but the Washington Commanders were able to pluck one away from Philadelphia back in 1964.

Though Sonny Jurgensen was a first-team All-Pro in 1961 and started for the Eagles for another two seasons, Philly agreed to deal him to Washington for quarterback Norm Snead and defensive back Claude Crabb.

While the Eagles got seven years and 81 starts out of Snead, Washington got the better end of this deal. Jurgensen quickly stabilized the quarterback position for the Commanders and went on to be a face of the franchise.

The Duke product spent 11 years in Washington. During that time, he threw for 22,585 yards and 179 touchdowns and made four Pro Bowls. He also led Washington to three playoff berths, including its first since 1945.

Jurgensen led the NFL in passing three times while with Washington and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983.