Coach trades in the NFL are rare, but they bring unique excitement to the offseason. With six teams currently searching for new head coaches in 2025, rumors of potential coach trades are swirling—most notably involving Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell. Trading for a head coach might sound unusual, but it’s happened before, and the results can be transformative.
Here’s a look back at five significant examples of NFL teams trading draft picks for head coaches since the 1970 NFL/AFL merger.
5. Sean Payton To The Broncos (2023)
After taking a year off from coaching, Sean Payton returned to the sidelines in 2023 as head coach of the Denver Broncos. To hire Payton, who was still under contract with the New Orleans Saints, the Broncos traded a first-round pick and a second-round pick in exchange for Payton and a third-round pick.
Payton quickly turned things around in Denver. Following an 8-9 debut season, he guided the Broncos to a playoff berth in 2024 with a 10-7 record, proving his worth as one of the league’s elite coaches.
4. Jon Gruden To The Buccaneers (2002)
Jon Gruden’s trade to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002 came with a hefty price tag. The Bucs sent two first-round picks, two second-round picks, and $8 million to the Oakland Raiders to land Gruden as their head coach.
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The investment immediately paid dividends. In his first season with Tampa Bay, Gruden led the team to a Super Bowl XXXVII victory- ironically defeating the Raiders. Despite the steep cost, the trade is considered a success for Tampa Bay.
3. Bill Belichick To The Patriots (2000)
Bill Belichick’s move to the New England Patriots in 2000 is one of the most pivotal moments in NFL history. Belichick resigned as head coach of the New York Jets- famously scribbling “I resign as HC of the NYJ” on a napkin- and joined the Patriots.
From the #WBZ archives: Bill Belichick named head coach of the #Patriots January 27, 2000 pic.twitter.com/kZ2xVP2hQp
— Joe Giza (@JoeGiza) December 20, 2016
New England agreed to send a first-round pick, along with fourth- and fifth-round selections, to the Jets in exchange for Belichick’s rights. Though the trade was initially criticized, it paid off in historic fashion. Belichick built a dynasty in New England, winning six Super Bowls and cementing himself as one of the greatest coaches in NFL history.
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2. Mike Holmgren To The Seahawks (1999)
Mike Holmgren’s departure from the Green Bay Packers came with high stakes. After leading the Packers to two Super Bowl appearances, Holmgren was tempted by the Seattle Seahawks, who offered him not only the head coaching job but also the title of general manager.
However, with one year remaining on Holmgren’s contract in Green Bay, the Seahawks couldn’t just sign him outright. They had to trade a second-round pick to the Packers to finalize the deal. Holmgren eventually turned Seattle into a perennial contender, paving the way for their later successes.
1. Don Shula To The Dolphins (1970)
The Miami Dolphins kicked off the NFL’s coach-trading era by poaching Don Shula from the Baltimore Colts in 1970. Initially, the move wasn’t a trade. Miami lured Shula away, but the NFL ruled that the Dolphins violated tampering rules and imposed a penalty. The result? Miami sent a first-round pick to Baltimore to secure Shula’s coaching rights.
The trade proved to be a masterstroke for Miami. Shula led the Dolphins to two Super Bowl victories and guided them through their legendary perfect season in 1972.
The Legacy Of Coach Trades
Trading draft picks for head coaches don’t happen often, but when it does, the stakes are enormous. Teams that make such moves gamble on the belief that a great coach can transform their franchise. In these five instances, the trades shaped NFL history, proving that sometimes, the biggest risks can yield the greatest rewards.
With coach trades back on the table in 2025, it’s anyone’s guess who might be next in line to change teams- and how much a franchise will pay to make it happen.
Also Read: Where Do NFL Head Coaches Come From?
