10 NFL Trades That Never Happened but Could Have Changed History

Throughout NFL history, several blockbuster trades have come remarkably close to becoming reality, only to collapse because of disagreements, contract complications, last-minute decisions or unexpected circumstances. Some of those deals could have changed the fortunes of entire franchises and reshaped the careers of some of the league’s biggest stars.

Imagine Aaron Rodgers wearing a different uniform, Ben Roethlisberger leading another franchise or John Elway joining the Los Angeles Raiders instead of the Denver Broncos. These scenarios might sound unbelievable today, but each was linked to trade discussions that could have dramatically altered NFL history.

From quarterback negotiations that fell apart at the final hurdle to superstar receivers who nearly changed teams, these failed transactions offer a fascinating look at how different the league might have been.

Here are 10 NFL trades that never happened but could have sent shockwaves throughout the league.

10. Deshaun Watson to the New Orleans Saints (2022)

Deshaun Watson’s future became one of the NFL’s biggest storylines in 2022 after the quarterback requested a trade from the Houston Texans. Watson had sat out the entire 2021 season amid legal allegations and was reportedly willing to consider several destinations despite having a no-trade clause.

Among the teams linked with Watson were the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns. The Saints emerged as serious contenders after reportedly agreeing to Houston’s demanding trade package, which included three first-round picks, a third-round selection and pick swaps.

At one stage, New Orleans appeared to be in a strong position to acquire the former Pro Bowl quarterback. However, Cleveland changed the situation by offering Watson a fully guaranteed five-year contract worth $230 million, an unprecedented commitment that helped persuade him to reconsider his options.

Watson ultimately chose the Browns, leaving New Orleans to explore other quarterback solutions. The contract also generated significant controversy among NFL owners because of its fully guaranteed structure.

Watson’s subsequent Cleveland tenure was complicated by an 11-game suspension during the 2022 season and a throwing-shoulder injury that ended his campaign early. Meanwhile, the Saints retained their draft capital and salary-cap flexibility, although they continued searching for a dependable long-term answer at quarterback.

Why it matters: Had Watson joined New Orleans, the Saints’ roster construction and quarterback plans could have looked very different. The Browns’ decision to make an enormous financial commitment also changed the direction of their franchise.

9. AJ McCarron to the Cleveland Browns (2017)

The Cleveland Browns came close to acquiring Cincinnati Bengals quarterback AJ McCarron before the NFL trade deadline in October 2017. Browns head coach Hue Jackson reportedly wanted to reunite with McCarron, whom he had previously worked with in Cincinnati.

According to reports, Cleveland and Cincinnati agreed on a deal that would have sent second- and third-round draft picks to the Bengals in exchange for the quarterback. However, the transaction never became official because of a paperwork mishap.

The Bengals reportedly faxed their documents to the NFL league office shortly before the 4 p.m. deadline. Cleveland, meanwhile, accidentally sent its paperwork to Cincinnati’s offices instead of the league headquarters.

By the time the mistake became apparent, the deadline had passed, and the trade could not be completed.

The Browns subsequently endured a disastrous 2017 campaign, finishing 0-16. They selected Baker Mayfield with the first overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft and used the 35th selection on running back Nick Chubb, who later developed into a Pro Bowl player.

Why it matters: The failed transaction became one of the NFL’s most infamous deadline stories. Whether McCarron could have changed Cleveland’s fortunes remains debatable, but the incident highlighted how even a nearly completed trade can collapse because of a seemingly minor administrative error.

8. Marcus Mariota to the Philadelphia Eagles (2015)

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly reportedly wanted to reunite with former Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota in the 2015 NFL Draft. Kelly had coached Mariota at Oregon, where the quarterback developed into one of college football’s biggest stars.

With Mariota expected to be selected near the top of the draft, the Eagles explored the possibility of moving up the board. Reports suggested Kelly was prepared to offer substantial draft capital, potentially including two first-round picks, a second-round selection, quarterback Sam Bradford and another valuable player to secure the No. 2 overall pick.

Potential players discussed in connection with the proposed package reportedly included defensive standouts Fletcher Cox and Malcolm Jenkins, as well as Mychal Kendricks. However, the Tennessee Titans, who controlled the second selection, ultimately declined to move down and selected Mariota.

Mariota showed flashes of promise during his NFL career but struggled with injuries and consistency. Philadelphia, meanwhile, retained important roster assets and later used its draft capital to acquire Carson Wentz, who became a central figure in the franchise’s rebuilding efforts.

The Eagles eventually won Super Bowl LII under head coach Doug Pederson, defeating the New England Patriots in one of the most memorable games in franchise history.

Why it matters: A Mariota trade would have changed Philadelphia’s quarterback plans and potentially affected the development of its roster. By keeping its assets, the Eagles maintained flexibility that helped them build a championship-winning team.

7. Larry Fitzgerald to the Philadelphia Eagles (2008)

Larry Fitzgerald was one of the NFL’s premier wide receivers when the Arizona Cardinals reportedly explored the possibility of trading him to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2008.

Arizona was dealing with salary-cap concerns, and a proposed deal involving a first-round pick and a third-round selection reportedly emerged as a potential solution. However, the prospect of losing Fitzgerald generated a strong reaction from Cardinals supporters and local media.

The Cardinals ultimately found other ways to manage their financial situation and instead secured Fitzgerald’s future with a four-year contract extension worth $40 million, including $30 million in guarantees.

Keeping Fitzgerald proved enormously valuable. During the 2008 NFC Championship Game against Philadelphia, the receiver delivered a sensational performance, recording nine receptions for 152 yards and three touchdowns before halftime.

Arizona won the contest 32-25, with Fitzgerald playing a crucial role in sending the Cardinals to the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history.

The Cardinals went on to face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII, where Fitzgerald continued his outstanding postseason run by scoring a dramatic fourth-quarter touchdown. Arizona ultimately lost 27-23, but Fitzgerald’s performances helped establish him as one of the greatest receivers of his generation.

Why it matters: Had Arizona traded Fitzgerald to Philadelphia, the Cardinals would have lost their most influential offensive weapon during a historic postseason run. The proposed deal could have changed both franchises’ immediate futures.

6. Antonio Brown to the Buffalo Bills (2019)

Antonio Brown’s departure from the Pittsburgh Steelers was one of the biggest NFL stories of 2019. The All-Pro receiver had become increasingly frustrated in Pittsburgh, and the franchise began exploring trade possibilities.

Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert and Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane reportedly reached an agreement in principle to send Brown to Buffalo. The move appeared close to completion before the situation changed dramatically.

After news of the potential trade became public, Brown posted a message on social media dismissing the reports as “Fake News.” He also reportedly informed the Bills that he would not report, attend training camp or play for the team.

Buffalo became concerned about the potential impact on its locker room and withdrew from the negotiations. Pittsburgh subsequently traded Brown to the Oakland Raiders in exchange for a third-round pick and a fifth-round pick.

Brown’s time with Oakland quickly unravelled, and he never played a regular-season game for the franchise before his release. He later joined the New England Patriots, although that stint also ended after only a brief period.

The Bills, meanwhile, continued building around quarterback Josh Allen. Buffalo eventually traded a 2020 first-round pick to the Minnesota Vikings for wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who became a major part of the team’s passing attack and helped Allen establish himself as one of the NFL’s leading quarterbacks.

Why it matters: Brown’s arrival could have given Buffalo an elite receiver earlier in Allen’s development, but his reported reluctance to join the team prevented the deal from happening. The Bills ultimately found another route to strengthen their offence.

5. Jim Harbaugh to the Cleveland Browns (2014)

Jim Harbaugh’s departure from the San Francisco 49ers became one of the most significant coaching stories of the 2014 season. Before leaving the franchise, Harbaugh was reportedly involved in discussions surrounding a potential move to the Cleveland Browns.

Reports suggested that the Browns and 49ers had discussed the framework of a deal that would have sent multiple draft picks, including first-round selections, to San Francisco in exchange for Harbaugh.

However, the proposed move never materialised. Harbaugh was reportedly frustrated with 49ers general manager Trent Baalke, while concerns about Cleveland’s roster and organisational structure were also said to have played a role in the breakdown of the discussions.

Harbaugh ultimately left San Francisco after the 2014 season and returned to college football as the head coach of the University of Michigan. He led Michigan to a national championship before returning to the NFL in 2024 as head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers.

San Francisco initially appointed Jim Tomsula, who lasted just one season before being replaced by Chip Kelly. Neither coach delivered sustained success, and the franchise eventually found stability under Kyle Shanahan, who became head coach in 2017.

Cleveland, meanwhile, hired former New York Jets coach Mike Pettine. The Browns finished 7-9 in his first season but subsequently endured years of coaching changes and organisational instability.

Why it matters: A Harbaugh move to Cleveland could have altered the trajectory of two franchises. The Browns might have gained an established head coach, while San Francisco would have faced a different rebuilding process following his departure.

4. Russell Wilson to the Chicago Bears (2021)

Russell Wilson’s relationship with the Seattle Seahawks came under pressure in 2021 amid public disagreements over play-calling and pass protection. The quarterback’s agent, Mark Rodgers, identified several teams Wilson would reportedly consider joining if Seattle decided to trade him.

The Chicago Bears were among the teams on that list, and general manager Ryan Pace reportedly made an aggressive offer to acquire the Super Bowl-winning quarterback.

Chicago’s proposed package was reported to include three first-round picks, a third-round selection and two established defensive starters. However, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll rejected the offer, and Seattle kept Wilson for another season.

The Seahawks eventually traded Wilson to the Denver Broncos in 2022. The return included two first-round picks, two second-round picks and three players: quarterback Drew Lock, tight end Noah Fant and defensive lineman Shelby Harris.

Chicago pursued a different direction at quarterback, trading up in the 2021 NFL Draft to select Justin Fields. The Bears later secured the first overall pick in 2024 and selected Caleb Williams, continuing their efforts to find a long-term franchise quarterback.

Wilson’s career also took a different turn after his departure from Seattle, with his performances in Denver falling short of expectations before his subsequent moves elsewhere.

Why it matters: A Wilson trade to Chicago would have changed the Bears’ quarterback plans and potentially altered the draft decisions that followed. It also would have given Wilson a different supporting cast during a crucial stage of his career.

3. Ben Roethlisberger to the St. Louis Rams (2010)

The Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly considered trading quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in 2010 after he received a six-game suspension from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell following off-field legal issues.

Roethlisberger had already established himself as a successful quarterback, leading Pittsburgh to two Super Bowl victories. However, the suspension created uncertainty about his future, prompting the organisation to explore its options.

The Steelers reportedly held discussions with the St. Louis Rams, who controlled the first overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. At the time, St. Louis was searching for a franchise quarterback and had the opportunity to select a highly rated prospect.

Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo and general manager Billy Devaney ultimately declined to pursue Roethlisberger. His off-field issues and the financial implications of acquiring his contract reportedly contributed to their decision.

Instead, St. Louis selected Sam Bradford with the first overall pick. Bradford showed promise during his NFL career but struggled with injuries, including a torn ACL that affected his availability. He was eventually traded to the Philadelphia Eagles before later joining the Minnesota Vikings.

Roethlisberger returned from suspension and continued to lead the Steelers for more than a decade. Pittsburgh reached Super Bowl XLV during the 2010 season, although the team lost to the Green Bay Packers. Roethlisberger eventually retired in 2022 after an accomplished career.

Why it matters: Had the Rams acquired Roethlisberger, they might have avoided years of uncertainty at quarterback. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, would have faced the enormous challenge of replacing one of the most successful players in franchise history.

2. Aaron Rodgers for Randy Moss (2007)

Aaron Rodgers and Randy Moss were both involved in significant NFL storylines in 2007, but a potential connection between the two never materialised.

The Green Bay Packers reportedly pursued Moss, who was coming off a relatively disappointing season with the Oakland Raiders. Green Bay explored ways to acquire the veteran wide receiver, but the discussions did not result in a deal.

According to reports, the Packers considered offering draft capital rather than parting with Rodgers, who was then Brett Favre’s backup. General manager Ted Thompson was reluctant to discuss trading the young quarterback, keeping Rodgers out of the potential negotiations.

Contract discussions also complicated Green Bay’s pursuit of Moss. When the Packers sought a pay cut from the receiver, negotiations stalled, allowing the New England Patriots to acquire him from Oakland for a fourth-round draft pick.

The move proved spectacularly successful for New England. Moss caught an NFL-record 23 touchdown passes during the 2007 regular season, helping the Patriots finish 16-0 before their Super Bowl loss to the New York Giants.

Rodgers, meanwhile, became Green Bay’s starting quarterback in 2008 after Favre’s departure. He went on to win four NFL Most Valuable Player awards and led the Packers to victory in Super Bowl XLV.

Oakland’s fortunes went in the opposite direction. The Raiders selected quarterback JaMarcus Russell with the first overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, but he became widely regarded as one of the biggest draft busts in league history.

Why it matters: The failed Moss pursuit left Green Bay without the receiver but allowed the franchise to retain Rodgers. His subsequent success made that decision look particularly valuable, while Moss helped transform New England’s offence into one of the most prolific units in NFL history.

1. John Elway to the Los Angeles Raiders (1983)

Few hypothetical NFL trades are as fascinating as the proposed deal that could have sent John Elway to the Los Angeles Raiders instead of the Denver Broncos.

Elway was selected first overall by the Baltimore Colts in the 1983 NFL Draft, but he made it clear that he did not want to play for the franchise. He reportedly threatened to pursue a career in professional baseball with the New York Yankees rather than join Baltimore.

That stance opened the door for Raiders owner Al Davis, who was determined to acquire the highly rated quarterback. Davis reportedly offered Baltimore a substantial package that included three first-round picks and two second-round selections.

The proposed arrangement became complicated as the Raiders explored additional moves to assemble the necessary assets. Reports suggested Davis considered a separate deal involving defensive lineman Howie Long and the Chicago Bears’ sixth overall pick.

The trade ultimately fell apart. Elway’s camp and Davis reportedly believed that NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle, who had a contentious relationship with the Raiders owner, had intervened to prevent the move. NFL officials and the Bears maintained that the transaction collapsed because the Raiders were unwilling to part with Long.

Instead, the Colts traded Elway to the Denver Broncos in exchange for quarterback Mark Herrmann, the rights to offensive lineman Chris Hinton and a first-round pick in the 1984 NFL Draft.

The decision shaped the NFL for years. Elway spent his entire 16-season playing career with Denver, leading the Broncos to five Super Bowl appearances and winning two championships. He became one of the most celebrated quarterbacks in league history and was later inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Long remained with the Raiders and also went on to earn a place in the Hall of Fame. Had the trade succeeded, the Raiders could have paired Elway with running back Marcus Allen, potentially creating a formidable offensive combination.

Why it matters: Elway’s arrival in Los Angeles could have transformed the Raiders’ history and dramatically altered the Broncos’ fortunes. Instead, Denver secured a franchise quarterback who became central to its identity for more than a decade.

How These Failed NFL Trades Could Have Changed League History

These 10 proposed trades illustrate how close the NFL can come to an entirely different future. A single contract offer, a deadline mistake, a player’s refusal to report or a disagreement between team officials can derail a deal with enormous long-term consequences.

Some franchises ultimately benefited from keeping their players or retaining valuable draft picks. The Packers kept Aaron Rodgers, the Cardinals held on to Larry Fitzgerald and the Broncos acquired John Elway, who became one of the greatest quarterbacks of his generation.

Other teams were forced to find alternative solutions. The Bills eventually acquired Stefon Diggs, the Eagles built a championship-winning roster without trading for Marcus Mariota, and the 49ers eventually found long-term stability under Kyle Shanahan.

Not every proposed trade would necessarily have produced the outcome its supporters imagined. A player’s success depends on coaching, teammates, injuries and organisational stability, meaning a change of team can transform a career in unpredictable ways.

Nevertheless, these abandoned deals remain some of the most intriguing what-if stories in NFL history. Had even a few of them been completed, the league’s quarterback landscape, championship races and franchise identities could look remarkably different today.