Three Trades That Almost Blew Up the NFL and Left GMs Waking Up to Nightmares

Every trade that actually happens changes the league. But what about the ones that didn't? The deals that were locked in, then blocked. The packages that had GMs going to bed thinking they'd just reshaped their franchise, only to wake up with nothing. One phone call. One owner's grudge. One failed physical. Any of those things can rewrite NFL history. Here are three trades that would have flipped the script completely, and exactly why they fell apart.

Brian Burns and the Panthers' Worst Decision Ever

At the 2022 trade deadline, the Rams came to Carolina with a monster package for edge rusher Brian Burns: two first-round picks and a second-round pick. The Panthers turned it down cold.

Scott Fitterer, Carolina's GM, decided Burns was a foundational piece. The Panthers had just fired Matt Rhule and didn't want to look like they were tanking. They wanted to show the locker room they were still fighting. So they kept him and tried to lock him into a long-term extension. Burns wanted $30 million per year. The two sides couldn't agree on anything.

The next season, the Panthers went 2-15. The worst record in the entire NFL. Burns started demanding out. Carolina's leverage evaporated. When they finally had to trade him, it was to the Giants for a second-round pick and a swap of fifth-rounders. One of the biggest "what if" moments in recent NFL history, and it cost them everything.

Russell Wilson to Chicago: The Deal That Dodged a Bullet

In March 2021, the Bears came at the Seahawks with three first-round picks, a third-round pick, and two starters for Russell Wilson. Ryan Pace was all in, putting together one of the most aggressive trade packages the NFL had seen in years. Wilson had named Chicago as one of four teams he'd waive his no-trade clause for. The Bears were ready to mortgage their entire future.

But the Seahawks had a condition: they wanted one of Chicago's defensive stars included in the deal. That demand killed it. The trade never happened. Looking back now, after watching how Denver's aggressive Wilson trade package actually played out, Pace has to be grateful this fell through.

The 49ers and Khalil Mack: The One That Got Away

In September 2018, the Raiders were shopping Khalil Mack, the 2016 Defensive Player of the Year, after he held out all of training camp. More than half the league called with offers. The Bears, Jets, and 49ers all made serious bids. John Lynch and San Francisco went hardest. Lynch believed the 49ers offered more than anyone else. But the Raiders didn't care about the 49ers' package. They weren't trading Mack across the bay, no matter what San Francisco put on the table.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.