NFL Trade Deadline: 30 greatest trades in NFL history

4. Bill Belichick goes from Jets to Patriots head coach

Is there really a need to get into a discussion over how any trade involving Bill Belichick to the New England Patriots deserves to be in the greatest of all time conversation? Most football fans remember Belichick beginning his head coaching career with the Cleveland Browns in 1991 before he was fired in 1996. At least it all worked out in the long run.

Even though Belichick’s next head coaching gig didn’t come until 2000 when he officially took over for the Patriots, one can only imagine how different things would have been in New England over the last two decades if he kept the job with the New York Jets.

Originally, the plan was for Belichick, who was defensive coordinator at the time, to take over the Jets when Bill Parcells decided to step down after the 1999 season. In a classic Belichick move, he only lasted for one day in his new job.

Shortly after, Belichick was named the new head coach in New England, but that didn’t prevent New York from putting up a fight since they argued that he was still under contract. This forced the Patriots to give up a first-round pick in 2000 to allow this deal to happen.

Looking back, anyone foolish enough to say the Patriots made a mistake giving up a first-round pick clearly doesn’t watch football. Five Super Bowl titles later, Belichick will go down as one of the all-time greats as head coach. He could even win a few more Super Bowls by the time he decides to call it a career.