A look back at the 7 biggest NFL trade deals in 2023, one year later

There was quite a bit of action in the weeks leading up to the 2024 NFL trade deadline. Several stars, including receivers DeAndre Hopkins, Amari Cooper and Davante Adams, found new homes. Then a slew of deals were made just before the Nov. 5 deadline.

It’s still too early to properly judge how these trades will play out this season, but we can look back at the biggest names that were traded before last year’s deadline and see to what extent — or little — they succeeded.

Commerce 2023 : The Vikings acquired Akers and a conditional 2026 seventh-round pick from the Los Angeles Rams for a conditional 2026 sixth-round pick.

The results: Akers was a decent option behind starter Alexander Mattison when he arrived in Minnesota. In six games, he had 38 carries for 138 yards and a touchdown, as well as 11 receptions for 70 yards. However, Akers tore his Achilles tendon in November, ending his season. The Vikings finished 7-10 and missed the playoffs.

Last month, Akers returned to Minnesota for the second time after a brief stint with the Houston Texans in exchange for conditional 2026 draft picks. The 25-year-old was the Vikings’ No. 2 running back during Week 9. In relief of Aaron Jones, Akers carried the ball six times for 46 yards with two catches for 7 yards in a victory against the Colts. Minnesota improved to 6-2.

Strategist Joshua Dobbs ce Minnesota

Commerce 2023 : The Vikings received QB Dobbs and a 2024 seventh-round pick from the Cardinals for a 2024 sixth-round pick.

The results: Minnesota traded for Dobbs after starting quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. The decision paid off immediately when Dobbs came off the bench and led the Vikings to a comeback victory against the Atlanta Falcons. Dobbs was in the starting lineup for two more wins, as well as two losses, before being demoted largely due to his turnover struggles (three lost fumbles, five interceptions) in Minnesota.

The Vikings went 1-4 the rest of the season with Dobbs on the bench. In March, he signed a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers. He is listed as the third-string quarterback on the depth chart, behind Brock Purdy and Brandon Allen, and has not appeared in any games this season.

Commerce 2023 : The Bills sent the Packers a 2024 third-round pick in exchange for Douglas and a 2024 fifth-round pick.

The results: During his first season in Buffalo, Douglas was a disruptor on the field, with four interceptions, eight passes defensed and two fumbles recoveries in nine regular season games. The Bills won six of their last eight games to win the AFC East. Douglas was also named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week after three assists, two interceptions and a touchdown in Week 17 against the Patriots. An injury kept Douglas out of Buffalo’s first playoff game, but he returned in the divisional round against the Chiefs and forced a fumble.

This season, Douglas has started every game for the Bills as he remains a key member of the defense. He has 36 tackles, a team-high five passes defensed and one forced fumble. The Bills currently sit in first place in the AFC East with a 7-2 record.

Commerce 2023 : The Chiefs acquired Hardman and a 2025 seventh-round pick from the Jets for a 2025 sixth-round pick.

The results: Hardman returned to the Chiefs for a second stint and recorded 14 catches for 118 yards in six regular season games. Most notably, he helped them win another Super Bowl championship, his third with the team. This time, Hardman scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime.

The Pro Bowler re-signed with Kansas City in June on a one-year deal.

This season, Hardman has 75 receiving yards, 38 rushing yards, 243 return yards and a rushing touchdown, as the 8-0 Chiefs look to become the first team to complete a three-peat.

Commerce 2023 : The Bears added Sweat from the Commanders for a 2024 second-round pick.

The results: Sweat was drafted by the Commanders with the 26th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft and recorded 35.5 sacks with 47 tackles for loss during his stay. But, with Sweat in the final year of his contract, Washington decided to trade him to Chicago, which is in need of assists.

The sweat immediately had an impact. In just nine games with the Bears, he led the team with six sacks – bringing his 2023 total to a career-high 12.5 sacks – and was named to his first Pro Bowl. This season, Sweat notched 15 tackles, six QB hits and 3.5 sacks. The 28-year-old missed Chicago’s last game on Nov. 4 against the Cardinals with a shin injury. He currently has a four-year contract extension worth $98 million.

Commerce 2023 : The Seahawks added Williams from the Giants for a 2024 second-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick.

The results: Williams is no stranger to being traded at the deadline, having been sent to the Giants by the New York Jets in 2019. The Giants used their franchise tag on Williams in 2020, then signed him to an extension of $63 million over three years. year.

Williams took advantage of his second exchange. He played in 10 games for the Seahawks in 2023, finishing with four sacks and 41 tackles during that span. However, the team ended up narrowly missing the playoffs with a 9-8 record. After re-signing with Seattle in March to a three-year extension worth $64.5 million, the 2015 first-round pick has totaled 21 tackles and 2.5 sacks in eight games so far in 2024. The Seahawks are 4-5 in the NFC. West.

Defensive end Chase away the young has San Francisco

Commerce 2023 : The 49ers acquired Young from the Commanders for a third-round pick in 2024.

The results: Young played in nine regular season games for the Niners, where he reunited with college teammate Nick Bosa. During that stretch, Young put together a solid, but not spectacular, stat line: 10 combined tackles, 2.5 sacks and six quarterback hits. The former No. 2 overall pick also recorded 11 combined tackles in the postseason and had a sack and two hits in San Francisco’s Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs.

However, Young was not a reliable enough edge rusher for the 49ers to re-sign. He entered free agency in 2024 and signed a one-year, $13 million contract with the New Orleans Saints. The 25-year-old has two sacks this season and leads the 2-7 Saints in QB hits with 12, matching the total he had when he was named the 2020 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year.

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