Exchanging and stealing players existed during the NFL’s formative years, but it was informal and unregulated.
However, after the introduction of the NFL Draft on February 8, 1986, the formal transaction of players began.
It promoted competitive balance by allowing all the teams to select and sign college or local league players.
Later in the 1960s, the NFL and the AFL competition led to bidding wars for players.
The merger agreement between the two leagues introduced a Common Draft in 1966, which became the foundation for the creation of the Super Bowl.
In recent times, after 1993, the introduction of unrestricted free agency allowed significant player movement.
However, as technology advanced, viewers began getting real-time player tracking. Even analysts benefited from the facility of immediate updates on any movement.
The NFL guidebook validates numerous ways for a player transaction.
Trades, free agent signings, waivers & releases, practice squad moves and IR are widely practiced transactions.
Even among them, trades account for the most significant portion of the transactions occurring in football.
Typically, NFL transactions occur throughout the year, but the Offseason, Regular Season, and Trade Deadline are the specific periods of the transaction.
Here are the top 6 greatest NFL transactions (trades) of all time:
| NFL Transaction | Date |
| The Herschel Walker Trade | 1989 |
| John Elway Trade | 1983 |
| Brett Favre to the Packers | 1992 |
| Steve Young to the 49ers | 1987 |
| Marshall Faulk to the Rams | 1999 |
| The Rams-Lions Trade | 2021 |
6. The Rams-Lions Trade – 2021
In March 2021, the NFL witnessed one of the greatest trades in history.
The historical trade between the Rams and the Lions allowed both teams to pivot. The trade offensive change for the Rams and QB stability for the Lions.
In the transaction, the Rams acquired QB Matthew Stafford from the Lions in exchange for Jared Goff.
In addition to Jared, the Lions took a third-round pick in 2021 and first-round picks in 2022 and 2023.
Matthew Stafford was the former first overall pick in 2009, while Jared was also the first overall pick in 2016.
Despite the fact Lions secured three top-round picks, the Rams won in the 2021 trade.
It was because Matthew helped them win the Super Bowl in 2021, throwing over 4,800 yards and 41 TDs.
5. Marshall Faulk to the Rams – 1999
The Indianapolis Colts traded their RB Marshall Faulk to the St. Louis Rams in April 1999.
In exchange for the trade, the Colts received a second-round pick and a fifth-round pick in the 1999 NFL Draft.
Marshall was the former league MVP and one of the finest running backs at the time. He was integral to the Rams’ offense.
The Faulk trade allowed the Colts to select linebacker Mike Peterson as the second-round pick and DT Brad Scioli as the fifth.
Despite the Colts’ apparent rebuild with Mike and Scioli, Marshall Faulks’ move had more impact.
His arrival helped the St. Louis Rams form “The Greatest Show on Turf, ” and their explosive offense dominated the league.
It led the NFL in offense and even helped them win the Super Bowl 2000.
4. Steve Young to the 49ers – 1987
In April 1987, the San Francisco 49ers executed a pivotal trade with little idea of its potential benefits.
The 49ers acquired QB Steve Young after two miserable seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Analysts viewed him as a potential bust until he moved to the 49ers.
Initially, Steve was just a backup to Joe Montana, but began starting in 1992. Two seasons later a failed QB led them to a 1994 Super Bowl victory.
In exchange for Young, the Buccaneers gained a second and fourth-round pick. With that, they selected LB Winston Moss and WR Bruce Hill.
The San Francisco 19ers won the trade as both drafted players never achieved stardom comparable to Young.
Later, Steve Young even went on to become the Pro Football Hall of Famer.
3. Brett Favre to the Packers – 1992
The Green Bay Packers acquired QB Brett Favre from the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for a first-round pick.
Atlanta Falcons drafted RB Tony Smith (first-round, 17th overall) from the trade pick however, Tony failed with the Falcons.
On the other hand, Brett Favre, the 1991 drafted quarterback, played for the Packers until 2007.
Favre had the least opportunities at Atlanta, starting in just two games in his rookie season. At Packers under HC Mike Holmgren, he set numerous records.
In his illustrious career with the Green Bay Packers, he passed for over 70,000 yards with 500 touchdowns.
Brett Favre won three NFL MVP awards, leading the team to two Super Bowls. He was a vital character in the Packers’ Super Bowl XXXI win.
2. John Elway Trade – 1983
In May 1983, the Denver Broncos acquired the 1983 NFL Draft first overall pick, John Elway.
While the Broncos were making history, the Baltimore Colts had no idea that the QB they traded would shape the Broncos’ future.
In exchange for John Elway, the Denver Broncos traded OT Chris Hinton, QB Mark Herrmann, and guard Ron Solt.
Despite the apparent initial win for the Baltimore Colts, they went 13 seasons without winning a playoff game.
On the other hand, John led them to five Super Bowl appearances. They won Super Bowls XXXII and XXXIII from five appearances.
Elway spent 16 seasons with the Broncos, becoming a nine-time Pro Bowler.
1. The Herschel Walker Trade – 1989
The Herschel Walker trade stands as one of the largest and greatest player trades in NFL history.
The NFL transaction was completed on October 12, 1989, as the Dallas Cowboys sent Herschel Walker to the Vikings.
Minnesota Vikings acquired Herschel in exchange for a multitude of players and draft picks. The trade involved 18 players and numerous draft picks.
From the Cowboys to the Vikings
- Herschel Walker
- Dallas’s 3rd-round pick in 1990
- San Diego’s 5th-round pick in 1990
- Dallas’s 10th-round pick in 1990
- Dallas’s 3rd-round pick in 1991
From the Vikings to the Cowboys
- LB Jesse Solomon
- LB David Howard
- CB Issiac Holt
- DE Alex Stewart
- Minnesota’s 1st round pick in 1990
- Minnesota’s 2nd round pick in 1990
- Minnesota’s 6th-round pick in 1990
- Minnesota’s 1st round pick in 1991 (conditional on cutting Solomon)
- Minnesota’s 2nd round pick in 1991 (conditional on cutting Howard)
- Minnesota’s 1st round pick in 1992 (conditional on cutting Holt)
- Minnesota’s 2nd round pick in 1992
- Minnesota’s 3rd round pick in 1992 (conditional on cutting Stewart)
For Dallas, the trade led to the formation of their 1990s dynasty. They acquired draft picks including Emmitt Smith and Darren Woodson.
All of the picks collectively helped the Dallas Cowboys to win three Super Bowls in the 1990s.
Though the Vikings believed that Walker was the missing piece, they didn’t make a Super Bowl appearance with Walker.
