The NFL has witnessed what many are calling the worst trades in its history, involving high-profile players and unprecedented financial consequences. The Carolina Panthers, under Dave Tepper, declined an offer from the Rams for Brian Burns, which included three draft picks (2023 Round 2, 2024 Round 1, and 2025 Round 1) for a season that only produced 8 sacks in a 2-win season. In another significant move, the Denver Broncos released Russell Wilson, incurring an NFL record $85M in dead money, surpassing the last two dead money records combined. The trade for Wilson, criticized for its assets and financial implications, saw the Broncos giving up significant players and draft picks, including a $242M deal, 2022 first-round pick (OT Charles Cross), 2022 second-round pick (OLB Boye Mafe), and 2022 fifth-round pick (OLB Tyreke Smith). This decision has led to discussions about it being one of the most lopsided deals in NFL history, with two teams in less than two years deciding they'd rather incur a total of $111,000,000 in dead cap than keep Wilson on their roster.
"It is THE worst trade of all time. And it's not even close." - @PriscoCBS to @Hassel_Chris on the Russell Wilson deal https://t.co/7JBiUgJtHK
in less than 2 years, 2 teams decided they'd rather eat $111,000,000 in total dead cap than have Russell Wilson on their roster https://t.co/0L3d1BBYgy
Worst trade in NFL history (for now). https://t.co/Qy0qcHPSAB
can make a case that the Russell Wilson trade was the worst in NFL history when all the assets/finances takent into account. But fear not, the Deshaun Watson trade will wind up worse!
Two years ago Denver gave all this up for Russ and signed him to a $242M deal: • QB Drew Lock • DT Shelby Harris • TE Noah Fant • 2022 first-round pick (OT Charles Cross) • 2022 second-round pick (OLB Boye Mafe) • 2022 fifth-round pick (OLB Tyreke Smith) • 2023… https://t.co/zdwxQluuIQ
$85M in dead money on top of this haul... 😬 The Russell Wilson trade might go down as one of the most lopsided deals in NFL history https://t.co/AwTbr7Pt3o
By releasing Russell Wilson, the #Broncos will take on an NFL record $85M in dead money. For context: That’s more than the last two dead money records **combined.** https://t.co/VhTNZ0O8PQ
One of the worst trades ever was one Dave Tepper declined: The Rams offered their 2023 Round 2, 2024 Round 1, and 2025 Round 1 straight up for basically one full season from Brian Burns. Hope those 8 sacks in your 2-win season was worth it Panthers fans! https://t.co/VEGuGUuovz