NFL history is littered with trades that looked good on paper but were absolute disasters. Some of the worst involve quarterbacks—franchise saviors turned franchise sinkers.
Whether it was a case of wishful thinking, desperation, or just plain delusion, these 15 QB trades should’ve been stopped at the fax machine. From busted prospects to over-the-hill veterans, here are the deals that had fans shaking their heads for years.
15. Carson Wentz to the Colts
Indianapolis thought they were buying low on a former MVP candidate, but they got erratic decision-making and a quick exit from playoff contention. One year later, the Colts were right back on the QB carousel.
14. Sam Bradford to the Vikings
Minnesota got desperate after Teddy Bridgewater’s injury and paid a king’s ransom for a QB with a lengthy injury history. Predictably, it didn’t end well—Bradford flashed for a few games, then got hurt again.
13. Deshaun Watson to the Browns
Cleveland handed out a fully guaranteed fortune for a player with baggage and rust. The return on investment has been shaky at best and chaotic at worst.
12. Matt Schaub to the Texans
Houston hoped Schaub would be the guy to take them to the next level, and for a short time, he looked the part. But once the pick-sixes started rolling in, the dream fell apart fast.
11. Jimmy Garoppolo to the 49ers
Yes, he won games. But for the cost and hype, San Francisco expected a lot more than dink-and-dunk and late-game meltdowns.
10. Jay Cutler to the Bears
Chicago mortgaged the future for a quarterback with a cannon arm and zero chill. They got a decade of “meh” with a side of sideline scowls.
9. Josh Rosen to the Dolphins
Miami took a low-risk flyer on Rosen after his rookie flop, hoping for a second-chance gem. Instead, they got another reminder that if a team gives up on a top-10 pick that fast, there’s usually a reason.
8. Donovan McNabb to Washington
Trading for a division rival’s aging quarterback rarely ends well, and this was no exception. McNabb looked thoroughly washed, and Washington quickly moved on.
7. Jeff George to the Falcons
Atlanta traded for one of the NFL’s most divisive quarterbacks, and the results were as turbulent as expected. George had a big arm and even bigger drama.
6. Rick Mirer to the Bears
Chicago gave up a high pick for a quarterback who looked cooked in Seattle. One touchdown, six picks, and a quick benching later, the regret was real.
5. Brock Osweiler to the Browns
This was a salary dump disguised as a trade, but it still counts. Cleveland took Osweiler’s bloated contract to eat it, without ever planning to play him.
4. Joe Flacco to the Broncos
Denver thought Flacco still had some elite juice left. He did not, and the offense sputtered under his statue-like presence.
3. Mark Sanchez to the Eagles
This wasn’t a trade (Sanchez was signed as a free agent), but was still a disaster. The Eagles gave him a shot at redemption and got what everyone not named Rex Ryan expected. Backup-level play and an eventual exit out the back door.
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2. Trent Green to the Dolphins
After a solid stint in Kansas City, Green looked like a safe veteran bridge. But concussions and poor play derailed everything almost immediately.
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1. Russell Wilson to the Broncos
Denver swung for the fences with Wilson and ended up striking out hilariously. The whole thing was a mile-high mess between awkward press conferences, a crumbling offense, and a coach who didn’t last the season.
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