Top NFL Draft What-Ifs: Raiders Almost Send Howie Long To Chicago

Sep 24, 2014; Bagshot, UNITED KINGDOM; Oakland Raiders coach Dennis Allen (right) and Howie Long at practice at Pennyhill Park Hotel in advance of the NFL International Series game against the Miami Dolphins. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The only thing great than seeing what great results an NFL draft yields for a team is seeing some of the great what-if scenarios unfold.  Here are some of the greatest ever that fans could’ve, would’ve and perhaps should’ve seen.

Al Davis Had Eyes For John Elway In 1983

The 1983 draft is widely considered the most loaded in league history, especially in terms of quarterback talent.  Among the teams on the lookout for new blood at that position were the Oakland Raiders, who at that time had just completed a move to Los Angeles.  Team owner Al Davis  was busy in courtroom battles with then Commissioner Pete Rozell but still found the time to stay in tune with his teams’ draft plans.  As the 1st round began to unfold it was clear everybody was waiting to see what the Baltimore Colts planned to do with their top pick, quarterback John Elway who had vehemently stated he didn’t wish to play for their franchise.

Always a proponent of strong-armed quarterbacks, Davis gave the green light for his team to pursue a trade up for a high enough position in the top ten in order to entice a deal from the Colts.  Their primary target became the Chicago Bears, who sat at the #6 spot.  The idea was that they would give the #6 and #26 picks to Baltimore in exchange for Elway.  Key to the deal was finding a strong enough package to interest the Bears.

Howie Long Became Centerpiece of Offer

At the time the Bears had two first round picks so trading one of them was a much more entertaining thought.  Always on the lookout for more defensive talent, the Raiders decided to put together a package that would send defensive end Howie Long and another play to Chicago in exchange for their pick.  Long, an eventual Hall of Famer, was 23-years old at the time and emerging as one of the best in the business.  To think adding him next to Dan Hampton and  Steve McMichael had to sound awfully appealing to the Bears.

Initially it seemed like a deal was in place, but thinks went awry after the league office called to confirm it.  Afterwards Chicago backed out of the negotiations citing miscommunication on who they wanted in the package besides Long.  However, Davis and the Oakland brass believed it was the league, led by Rozell who short-circuited everything.

Consequently Long stayed with the Raiders and helped them to a Super Bowl championship that same year.  Still, the near miss of that trade came back to haunt them in the long run as Elway eventually ended up with the Denver Broncos where he compiled five Super Bowl appearances, two Lombardi trophies and most importantly in regards to the Raiders, seven division titles.

All NFL draft experts can say today is what if, what if, what if.