Herschel Walker to Vikings (1989)

After Walker broke several rushing records and put Dallas on the map, Cowboys fans were perplexed when their team sent him to the Vikings in exchange for several players and draft picks. The move worked out well for the Cowboys, who used one of those picks on Emmitt Smith. Three Super Bowl titles followed.

Michael Haynes to Raiders (1983)

New England were down in the dumps so they sent one of their best cornerbacks to Los Angeles and he landed just in time. Haynes played with the Raiders during their last five regular-season games and starred on their vaunted defence. He caught an interception during the team’s win over Washington in the Super Bowl.

Brett Favre traded to Jets (2008)

Fresh off his second retirement, Green Bay’s iron man wanted to play again but the Packers had finally moved on with Aaron Rodgers under centre. So during an awkward training camp, the Pack sent him to the Big Apple, but Favre got injured during the Jets’ late meltdown. The club released him the next year.

Bobby Layne to Steelers (1958)

One year after Layne won his third title in Detroit, the Lions sent him to Pittsburgh. He played for the Steelers until his retirement in 1962 gaining two more Pro Bowl selections. After his departure, Layne allegedly predicted Detroit would not win for 50 years. He was right.

Eric Dickerson to Colts (1987)

The largest trade in NFL history, which included 10 players and three teams, sent the running back from the Los Angeles Rams to Indianapolis. He made the Pro Bowl two more times with the Colts. The Buffalo Bills also benefited as they landed linebacker Cornelius Bennett, who led them to four straight Super Bowl appearances in the 1990s.