5 NFL trades that could result in total failure for teams in 2023
The NFL free agency period is fast approaching, with several high-profile players set to be highly sought after by numerous teams.
With franchises that missed out on the playoffs last year looking at getting better, sometimes they can make a move more out of desperation rather than necessity.
This is where NFL teams can get themselves into a bind and make deals that look rather bad and be to their detriment.
Let's have a look at five potential trades that could result in failure for NFL teams in 2023.
#5 Jalen Ramsey to Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders' pass defense last season wasn't good. So, if the team acquires Jalen Ramsey from the Rams, that would fill a void for Josh McDaniel's team.
However, a trade like Ramsey's would need to result in playoffs and playoff wins to get value for money. Slated to earn $17 million in 2023, if the above-mentioned results don't materialize, then the Raiders will be stuck with a cornerback earning good money, but still missing the postseason.
Plus, Ramsey has a cap hit that isn't under $20 million for the next three years, which would be a hard thing to swallow for NFL teams if results don't follow suit.
#4 - Tua Tagovailoa - to any team
Now we know that the Miami Dolphins aren't exactly sold on Tua Tagovailoa as their starting quarterback. There have even been whispers that Miami might want to move on.
Update: #Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa is “extremely confident” in his playing future and his ability to stay on the field, says @MikeGarafolo
Entering the fourth year of his rookie deal, the time might come for Miami to think about moving on if they aren't sold on Tagovailoa. But for any prospective team, his concussion issues would raise an immediate red flag over trying to sign him.
It would take just one more hit for there to be more serious questions asked about his long-term availability in the NFL. While a trade seems unlikely, if one was to happen, it wouldn't be the smartest move by an NFL franchise.
#3 - Allen Robinson to any team
Allen Robinson is just one year into his three-year, $46.5 million deal with the Los Angeles Rams and it already looks like a bad piece of business. The receiver never got settled in LA and could be on the move.
However, NFL teams could be wary of moving for the 29-year-old and trading for a player who had a poor 2022 season. He is set to make $10 million a year for the next two seasons, and teams would want an immediate return on that investment.
Should a trade go through, it could end up being a difficult one to stomach for the franchise that stumps up that kind of money.
#2 - DeAndre Hopkins to the Dallas Cowboys
Now, for most of us, this potential move has no bad things that could happen. Dallas needs offensive help, and getting DeAndre Hopkins would be just the tonic.
Yet, given his average salary is $27 million for the year, should Dallas go ahead and get the deal done, then that could take a large chunk of the salary cap.
Rumors: The #Cowboys are monitoring the trade market for #Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins, per @JohnnyVenerable
Dallas wants to add a playmaker to their offense and Hopkins would make sense. https://t.co/UK6qxPVrfh
A move like this needs to be validated with success and if the Cowboys fail again, they would have acquired a receiver with big money in return for nothing. Oh, and the likes of CeeDee Lamb, Micah Parsons, and Trevon Diggs are all due contract extensions too.
It would be a great move for Dallas, and only something going really wrong would represent this as a bad trade.
#1 - Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets
This one has been picking up steam over the last 48 hours. With the Packers quarterback emerging from his darkness retreat, we now wait with anticipation for his decision.
.@RealTannenbaum's pitch to Aaron Rodgers as a Jets' GM would be:
"You win in New York, Aaron, there's NOTHING like it for your legacy." https://t.co/yUVo6yexNQ
Should the Jets go all-in and sign him, it could be fraught with danger. Given how up and down Rodgers is regarding his future, from one year to the next, New York wouldn't know if he is playing again or not.
Plus, his huge salary is another danger sign for the Jets as well. It could turn out to be a great trade, but also a horrible one.