Getting traded in the NFL can feel like a fresh start—or a nightmare. Some players leave a team thinking they’re upgrading their situation, only to find themselves in football purgatory with worse coaching, fewer wins, or much less relevance.
This list is for the guys who probably stared at the ceiling their first night with a new team and thought, “What did I just do?” Whether it was bad timing, a bad fit, or bad luck, these trades aged like milk the second they happened.
14. DeAndre Hopkins
When Hopkins got shipped from Houston to Arizona, it looked like a win for him—until the Cardinals turned into chaos central. He went from Deshaun Watson to the Kyler-Kliff comedy hour real fast.
13. Donovan McNabb
McNabb going to Washington was supposed to prove he still had it in the NFC East. Instead, it just proved Philly moved on at the right time.
12. Yannick Ngakoue
Ngakoue forced his way out of Jacksonville, only to bounce from team to team without finding a real home. Sometimes the grass isn’t greener—it’s just more unstable.
11. Randy Moss (to the Raiders)
Going from Minnesota to Oakland was like teleporting from a playoff hunt to football purgatory. Moss looked uninterested, and honestly, who could blame him?
10. Trent Richardson
Richardson thought a trade to the Colts meant a better offense and more opportunities. What it meant was the beginning of the end for his NFL career.
9. Sam Bradford
Bradford had so many “fresh starts” that you’d think one would eventually work out. But getting traded to the Eagles came with sky-high expectations and the same old injury problems.
8. Amari Cooper (to Dallas)
Sure, Cooper had flashes in Dallas, but he left Oakland only to deal with another inconsistent quarterback situation. And let’s say the Cowboys fanbase isn’t exactly patient.
7. LeSean McCoy
McCoy was blindsided by Chip Kelly and sent to Buffalo, where the cold and losing records struck. He put up numbers, but the vibes were never quite right.
6. Percy Harvin
Harvin’s trade to Seattle looked great on paper, but injuries and locker room drama made it a headache. One huge Super Bowl play couldn’t mask all the off-field mess.
5. Josh Rosen
Rosen didn’t have much of a say in his trade from Arizona, but he probably regretted being passed around like a hot potato after that. He never had a real shot after leaving the Cardinals.
4. Odell Beckham Jr.
OBJ leaving New York for Cleveland seemed like a fresh start, but it quickly turned into frustration. Between Baker Mayfield and constant injuries, the magic was gone.
Read More: 15 NFL Stars Who Complained Their Way Out of a Team
3. Jay Cutler
Cutler wanted out of Denver and got his wish with a trade to Chicago. He got a new team, but also a decade of memes and missed opportunities.
Read More: 15 Times Draft Day Trades Made Teams Look Like Geniuses
2. Carson Wentz
Wentz left Philly hoping for a career revival, but the Colts and Commanders’ experiences were more like career funerals. Every stop just raised more questions than answers.
Read More: 10 Times an NFL Team Destroyed Its Future with a Bad Trade
1. Russell Wilson
Wilson wanted out of Seattle to “let Russ cook.” Instead, he was rowed into Denver with a broken offense and a head coach who had looked over his head from day one.
Stay in the Game With the Latest Scores, Highlights, and Stories — Follow GamerKoala on MSN.
