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Fansided

The Worst Trade For Every NFL Team In History

By Erik Lambert

31 Dec 1995: Quarterback Brett Favre of the Green Bay Packers avoid pressure during a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers won the game 37-20. Mandatory Credit: Jed Jacobsohn /Allsport
31 Dec 1995: Quarterback Brett Favre of the Green Bay Packers avoid pressure during a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers won the game 37-20. Mandatory Credit: Jed Jacobsohn /Allsport /
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San Francisco 49ers

O.J. Simpson . 28. player. 42. . RB. San Francisco 49ers

Ever hear the phrase ‘grasping at straws’? That is the perfect description of what happened when the San Francisco 49ers gave away the farm to go get O.J. Simpson. Few trades taught the lesson better to trade for value rather than the big name. Simpson was a superstar in the NFL. One of the greatest running backs of all-time. By 1978 though, he was a shadow of his former self.

He was 31-years old, which is ancient for a runner, especially one as extensively used as he was. He’d already spent nine games of the previous season injured. Did that stop San Francisco? Of course not. They gave up a 1st, two 2nds, a 3rd and 4th round picks to secure his rights. What did they get? Nothing. Simpson managed barely over 1,000 yards in 23 total games.

He retired at the end of the 1979 season. It took another few years for the franchise to recover from that disaster. Only with the help of new head coach Bill Walsh were they able to shake it off. Part of that was thanks to his ability to make the most out of later picks, including a little 3rd rounder that same year named Joe Montana.

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