Let’s be real: not every NFL team move has made sense (looking at you, Chargers in LA traffic). But sometimes, the stars align, the cities make sense, and the fans (mostly) get on board.
Here are 10 team moves that actually weren’t complete disasters.
10. Arizona Cardinals Leave St. Louis (1988)
The Cardinals said “peace out” to St. Louis and landed in the desert with way more sunshine and way less baseball competition. Arizona might not be a football mecca, but at least they don’t share a town with the Cardinals who actually win things.
9. Colts Bolt from Baltimore to Indianapolis (1984)
They literally packed up the moving trucks in the middle of the night, which is shady… but kind of iconic. Indy embraced the Colts, built them a dome, and eventually got a guy named Peyton, so all’s well that ends well.
8. Raiders Return to Oakland (1995)
The Raiders’ LA phase was fun, but the vibe never truly fit — too much Hollywood, not enough grit. Heading back to the Black Hole in Oakland felt like a grungy, rebellious homecoming.
7. Titans Take Over Nashville (1997)
The Oilers moving from Houston to Tennessee was random at first, but then Music City turned out to be a great football town. Plus, “Titans” sounds way cooler than “Oilers,” unless you’re super into gas stations.
6. Rams Leave Cleveland (1946)
Way back in the day, the Rams bailed on cold Cleveland for sunny Los Angeles, which is honestly the most relatable decision ever. First major sports team on the West Coast? That’s trendsetting behavior.
5. Chargers Head to San Diego (1961)
The Chargers started in LA but moved to San Diego faster than a quarterback trying to avoid Joey Bosa. San Diego embraced them with sunshine, surfboards, and a powder blue love affair that lasted over 50 years.
4. Ravens Rise from Cleveland’s Ashes (1996)
Yes, the Browns were ripped away from Cleveland like a bad breakup, but the Ravens became an elite franchise almost overnight. Two Super Bowls and a Ray Lewis dance later, Baltimore is thriving.
3. Raiders Go to Las Vegas (2020)
Sin City got a football team and somehow made silver and black even flashier. Vegas was born for drama, and the Raiders fit in like they were always meant to be there — just with a fancier stadium.
2. Rams Return to Los Angeles (2016)
After a long layover in St. Louis, the Rams brought football back to LA in a big way — and this time, they stayed. Add a shiny new stadium and a Super Bowl win? That’s a Hollywood script with a happy ending.
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1. Dallas Texans Become the Kansas City Chiefs (1963)
The Texans couldn’t compete with the Cowboys in Dallas, so they smartly skipped town and became the Chiefs in KC. Decades later, they’ve got loud fans, barbecue, and Patrick Mahomes — talk about an upgrade.
