5 Blockbuster NFL Trades That Almost Went Through
The NFL is full of almosts and what-ifs. Hundreds of trades go through successfully every year, but there are just as many - if not more - 'almost' trades. These trades are often shut down at the last minute for one reason or another or are heavily speculated across various media channels.
They say everything has a price, which is true in the NFL, with virtually all teams willing to listen to trade offers for every one of their players, for either draft picks or players in return. We rarely see megastars in the NFL being traded, but there are plenty of these stars in the almost traded category!
Some of these potential blockbuster trades could have changed the course of history for the players involved and the two teams involved in the deal. Some will be thankful these deals were called off, while others, not so much!
5 Blockbuster NFL Trades that Almost went Through
#5 - Adrian Peterson to the Dallas Cowboys
Veteran running back Adrian Peterson might bounce around the league these days as he nears retirement, but the same cannot be said when he was subject to rumors of a trade to the Dallas Cowboys.
In 2014 Peterson was placed on the NFL's Exempt/Commissioner's Permission list due to off-field issues and would only play one game all year. Since the Vikings didn't appeal his suspension, Peterson requested a trade. The Cowboys were interested in trading for him, with Jerry Jones rumored to be willing to give up a first-round draft pick, but the move never materialized, and Peterson would stay with Minnesota.
Peterson would return to his usual dominant self the following season, leading the league in rushing with 1,485 yards to go along with 11 touchdowns.
#4 - Jim Harbaugh to Cleveland Browns
Usually, when we see trades in the NFL, it involves players and/or draft picks. However, a rarity occurred in 2014, when it was rumored that the Cleveland Browns were willing to trade draft picks to acquire head coach Jim Harbaugh from the San Francisco 49ers.
Harbaugh had led the 49ers to the Super Bowl in 2012 just two years prior, and the Browns held two first-round draft picks that year, which were reported to have been part of a potential trade. Mike Florio said a deal "was in place between the teams," but Harbaugh used his no-trade clause to scrap the deal.