Fansided
Fansided

The Greatest Trade For Every NFL Team In History

By Erik Lambert

Feb 7, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Denver Broncos general manager John Elway holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 at Levi
Feb 7, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Denver Broncos general manager John Elway holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 at Levi /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
22 of 33
Next
Aug 30, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; A New Orleans Saints helmet sits on equipment trunks during the first half of a preseason game against the Houston Texans at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 30, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; A New Orleans Saints helmet sits on equipment trunks during the first half of a preseason game against the Houston Texans at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

New Orleans Saints:  The Jonathan Vilma trade

What happened with linebacker Jonathan Vilma is what happens with so many teams in NFL history. He missed nine games during the 2007 season with a knee injury. The New York Jets grew concerned that this might impact too much on the field. Coupled with solid young players on the depth chart behind him, they felt it was reasonable circumstances to trade the 26-year old former Pro Bowler.  It was the New Orleans Saints, in desperate need of defensive talent and leadership that came calling.

They gave up 3rd and 4th round picks in exchange for Vilma, hoping he might breathe some life into their struggling unit. This he did and more, become their captain and regaining the star form he’d shown a few years prior. He made the Pro Bowl in 2009, helping the franchise to win its first Super Bowl championship. A year later he reached his third before injuries began to pile up on him. There is no doubt the trade for Vilma was a game-changer for the Saints in their quest to become a contender for the first time.

Next: Go

Home/NFL Hot Takes