Every NFL team’s worst trade of all-time (Updated)

Every NFL team has made a trade at some point in its history, and every team has one that it wishes it could have back after it failed miserably.

Some trades set franchises back, others were able to be overcome but there isn’t a single team in the league that has made it this far without making some sort of boneheaded deal that fans wish had never happened.

Let’s dive into each team’s worst trade of all-time.

Note: This post is updated as of the 2023 NFL season. 

Arizona Cardinals: Trade for Kevin Kolb

Finding a legitimate franchise quarterback hasn’t been easy for the Arizona Cardinals. In 2006, they drafted Matt Leinart, and he didn’t work out. They were fortunate to still find a way to win, as they hit a home run in free agency with veteran Kurt Warner.

After his run, Carson Palmer became their leader in 2013. However, there was a brief spell in between the two veterans where the Cardinals were hurting under center. That’s because their trade with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2011 was a colossal failure.

Arizona gave up a starting cornerback in Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a second-round pick in 2012 for the rights to Kevin Kolb. The former Eagles starter wasn’t the answer for the Red Birds. He wound up playing just two seasons and produced a 6-8 record as a starter.

He was hampered by injuries most of his time there and found himself released in 2013. Kolb landed with the Buffalo Bills the following season, but never played a down for them. He eventually retired due to concussions.