The NFL trade deadline may not be as hectic as that of the MLB or NBA, but it’s produced some blockbuster trades that completely changed teams’ fortunes. Unlike the other leagues, the NFL’s shorter season and complex salary cap structure mean fewer deals, and players face the challenge of fitting into new systems with limited time.
But occasionally, we get a midseason trade that ages like wine, transforming teams and players for years to come. Some deals were recognized as brilliant moves immediately, while others took time to reveal their greatness.
Here, we look closely at five of the best NFL trade deadline deals that went down in history as absolute game-changers.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers Trade For Minkah Fitzpatrick After Week 2 In 2019
In 2019, the Pittsburgh Steelers saw an opportunity to grab one of the league’s rising stars in safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Frustrated with his role in Miami, Fitzpatrick requested a trade, feeling the Dolphins weren’t using his skill set effectively. The Steelers, needing a spark in their secondary, traded a 2020 first-round pick, a fifth-rounder, and a 2021 sixth-round pick for Fitzpatrick, along with Miami’s 2020 fourth-round and 2021 seventh-round picks.
Fitzpatrick immediately proved his worth. Making his Steelers debut in Week 3, he quickly became one of the NFL’s top safeties, earning his first All-Pro selection in 2019 and again in 2020. Fitzpatrick continued his streak with another All-Pro nod in 2022, where his six interceptions tied him for the league lead. By 2022, the Steelers extended his contract to a four-year, $73.6 million deal, cementing him as a cornerstone of their defense.
Also Read: What Moves Should Every NFL Team Consider At The Trade Deadline?
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4. Dallas Cowboys Bring In Amari Cooper In 2018
The Dallas Cowboys desperately needed a boost in 2018, starting the season 1-5. Over in Oakland, the Raiders were amid a roster shakeup under new head coach Jon Gruden. Despite Gruden’s denial of trade rumors surrounding Amari Cooper, the then-Raiders wide receiver was dealt to Dallas in late October for a 2019 first-round pick.
The impact was immediate. Cooper revitalized Dallas’s offense, putting up 725 receiving yards and six touchdowns in just nine games that season. His memorable performances, like a 180-yard game against Washington and a jaw-dropping 217 yards against Philadelphia, reminded everyone of his Pro Bowl potential. Cooper became Dallas’s most productive receiver over the next three years, amassing 3,893 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns on 292 catches. Although the Cowboys didn’t secure a Super Bowl during his time.
3. Los Angeles Rams Go All-In With Jalen Ramsey In 2019
Jalen Ramsey’s elite cornerback skills were no secret. Drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars, he quickly became a Defensive Rookie of the Year runner-up and earned All-Pro recognition in his second year. But after Jacksonville’s playoff run in 2017, the team’s record dropped to 5-11 the next year. Frustrations flared, culminating in a heated exchange between Ramsey and then-coach Doug Marrone in 2019. By mid-October, Ramsey was traded to the Rams for two first-round picks and a 2021 fourth-rounder.
With the Rams, Ramsey brought his lockdown abilities to a franchise primed for contention. He earned Pro Bowl honors every year he spent with the Rams and picked up two additional All-Pro nods in 2020 and 2021. Most importantly, Ramsey played a vital role in the Rams’ Super Bowl-winning season in 2021, recording 13 tackles and defending four passes throughout the playoffs.
Also Read: What Are The Three Targets For The Buffalo Bills Ahead Of The 2024 NFL Trade Deadline?
2. San Francisco 49ers Add Christian McCaffrey In 2022
Christian McCaffrey was a dynamic offensive talent for the Carolina Panthers. He peaked in 2019, leading the league with 2,392 scrimmage yards and 19 touchdowns. However, injuries hampered him over the following two seasons. The Panthers, entering a rebuild, decided to trade McCaffrey in 2022. The San Francisco 49ers acquired him, hoping his skills would boost their playoff chances. They traded their 2023 second, third, and fourth-round picks, plus a 2024 fifth-round pick. The 49ers aimed to maximize McCaffrey’s impact and make a postseason run.
McCaffrey immediately sparked the 49ers’ offense, leading the team in rushing yards and touchdowns for the remainder of the 2022 season. He even became their fourth-best pass-catcher, making his presence felt on all fronts. In 2023, McCaffrey had a standout year, tallying 1,459 rushing yards and 21 total touchdowns, earning his third Pro Bowl selection and second All-Pro nod. McCaffrey’s versatility and productivity helped power the 49ers to Super Bowl 58, where he made history with 75 rushing and 75 receiving yards.
1. Seattle Seahawks’ Franchise-Changing Move For Marshawn Lynch In 2010
Marshawn Lynch’s arrival in Seattle in 2010 marked the beginning of an era. Originally drafted by the Buffalo Bills, Lynch had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in his first two years. But after off-field issues and Fred Jackson taking over as Buffalo’s lead back, Lynch became available, and the Seahawks swooped in. Seattle gave up a 2011 fourth-round and a 2012 conditional fifth-round pick for Lynch.
From the moment he stepped onto the field in Seattle, Lynch was a revelation. Lynch’s hard-hitting running style became legendary, and he made sure everyone knew it with his “Beast Quake” moment. In the 2010 playoffs, Lynch unleashed a 67-yard touchdown run against the Saints, breaking nine tackles and sending Seahawks fans into a frenzy. He consistently delivered over the next four seasons, racking up at least 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns each year. By 2013, he’d powered the Seahawks to their first Super Bowl win, forever earning his place as a Seattle icon.
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