American Football
Marshall Faulk, Matthew Stafford and the biggest trades in NFL history
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When the Green Bay Packers stunned the league by acquiring All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for two first-round draft picks and Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark, it became an instant headline-maker. Parsons promptly signed a four-year, $188 million deal, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
Let’s take a look at five of the most seismic trades the league has ever seen.
Marshall Faulk to the Rams (1999)
The St. Louis Rams traded for Indianapolis Colts running back Marshall Faulk, giving up just second- and fifth-round picks. The result was “The Greatest Show on Turf”, as Faulk exploded for over 2,400 scrimmage yards in 1999 and redefined the Rams’ high-powered offense.
Herschel Walker to the Vikings (1989)
This mammoth three-team, 18-player deal saw Walker head to Minnesota while Dallas stockpiled a treasure trove of draft picks and players. Those picks formed the foundation of the Cowboys’ 1990s dynasty, including Emmitt Smith and Darren Woodson.
Eric Dickerson to the Colts (1987)
One of the most complicated exchanges in NFL history: a three-team trade that sent the legendary Rams running back to Indianapolis in exchange for a trove of players and picks. Dickerson continued to dominate, becoming the fastest player to surpass 10,000 career rushing yards.
Matthew Stafford to the Rams (2021)
(Getty Images)
In a bold move, the Los Angeles Rams sent Jared Goff and multiple future draft selections to the Detroit Lions in exchange for quarterback Matthew Stafford. The trade paid immediate dividends, as Stafford led the Rams to a Super Bowl victory just months later.
Brett Favre to the Packers (1992)
Eliot J. Schechter /Allsport
Green Bay sent a first-round pick to the Atlanta Falcons for Brett Favre – a gamble that propelled the team back into greatness. Favre went on to win three consecutive MVPs and a Super Bowl, cementing his legacy in Green Bay.
These trades changed franchises overnight. From Parsons to Favre, from Faulk to Stafford – they’re more than player moves. They rewrote NFL history.
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