4 biggest trade mistakes for the Buffalo Bills in franchise history

When we look at the overall history of the NFL and things have turned out, it’s always important to look at the alternatives of what could have been if certain things didn’t happen. What if Drew Bledsoe never got injured and Tom Brady didn’t get his opportunity? What if the Cowboys never traded away Herschel Walker and created a dynasty with the draft compensation they received? Or how about if the infamous 28-3 lead was never blown by the Atlanta Falcons? There are so many “what ifs” in the NFL and it could be a conversation we have all day.

The Buffalo Bills are no stranger to these types of scenarios. What if Scott Norwood never went wide right in Super Bowl XXV? Sorry to bring up that painful memory Bills Mafia…

Part of the history of how the Bills have been in their franchise had been due to some trades they have been involved in. Some of the best trades that they have pulled off include trading for LeSean McCoy in exchange for Kiko Alonso, as well as making multiple trades in 2018 that ultimately landed them Josh Allen in the draft.

However, it hasn’t always been sunshine and flowers for them either. There are four specific trades in their franchise history that have either set them back or have seen great players go be great somewhere else.

Four biggest trades that the Bills should regret making in their history

Bills trade for QB Rob Johnson from Jaguars

The post-Jim Kelly era was very rough for Bills fans. Kelly retired after the 1996 season and that is when the Bills went into a revolving door of quarterbacks up until when Josh Allen was drafted. Buffalo traded for quarterback Rob Johnson from the Jacksonville Jaguars, and gave up a first and fourth round pick in 1998 for a quarterback that had not started in any games and only had 348 passing yards in his career.

Not to mention, the Bills gave Johnson a massive contract extension (five-year, $25 million deal) and the return on investment was nowhere to be found. Johnson never played a full season as a member of the Bills and had no more than 2,125 passing yards in a season. He could not beat out Doug Flutie throughout his time in Buffalo and you could consider it the start of the downfall for Buffalo when it came to getting their next franchise quarterback after Kelly.

Bills trade away RB Marshawn Lynch to Seahawks

In 2007, the Bills drafted running back Marshawn Lynch and in his first two season, he had back-to-back 1,000+ rushing yard seasons. However, things started to go downhil for Lynch in Buffalo with some off-the-field issues and injuries in 2009. Not to mention, the Bills would have Fred Jackson and CJ Spiller in the backfield as well and in the middle of the 2010 season, Buffalo traded away Lynch in exchange for two later round draft picks with the Seahawks.

Lynch’s arrival to Seattle could not have come at a better time. From 2011-2014, Lynch ran for no less that 1,200 yards yards and 11 touchdowns. He was voted to the Pro Bowl every single year in that span and helped the Seahawks win Super Bowl XLVIII against the Denver Broncos.

Even though the Bills were able to have productive running backs themselves, moving off of Lynch as early as they did took away the talent they once had.

Bills trade back 17 spots in first round of 2017 NFL Draft

These next two trades are going to hurt. In 2017, the Bills had the 10th overall pick and there were rumors of the Bills going to get a quarterback. Sean McDermott just arrived to Buffalo and Doug Whaley was still the general manager before Brandone Beane showed up. 

Instead of the Bills sticking in the top ten, they made a massive trade with the Kansas City Chiefs where they acquired the 27th overall pick, a third-round pick and a 2018 first round pick. The Chiefs gave up a lot but in return, they drafted Patrick Mahomes out of Texas Tech. We all know how his career has  turned out up to this point. Three Super Bowl MVPs and led the Chiefs to back-to-back Super Bowls the last two seasons.

When you look at who the Bills got in return, they essentially received cornerback Tre’Davious White, left tackle Dion Dawkins and utilized the second first-round pick to draft linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. All three players were fantastic additions to Buffalo, but Dawkins is the only remaining Bill left.

While Bills fans are happy with Josh Allen, it is a bigger wonder what Patrick Mahomes would have been like as a Bill.

Bills trade away 22nd overall pick in 2020 for Stefon Diggs

The Bills were entering the third year of Josh Allen going into 2020 season and there was one thing that was missing…a true number one receiver. At the time, the Bills had Cole Beasley and John Brown, both who were reliable but not a number one target. Brandon Beane striked at night by pulling off a massive trade with the Minnesota Vikings to acquire star wide receiver Stefon Diggs.

In exchange for Diggs and a 2020 seventh-round draft pick, the Bills gave Minnesota the 22nd overall pick, a fifth and sixth round pick in 2020 and a 2021 fourth-round pick. Adding Diggs to the Bills could not have worked out better as Allen exploded in his third year as a pro and Diggs had career years with the Bills.

However, Diggs and Buffalo just got out of a bad relationship when the Bills traded Diggs to Houston this past April. Even though there was a lot of success, the Bills ultimately came up short of winning a Super Bowl with Diggs. Going back to the trade, the Bills essentially passed on wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who Minnesota drafted at the 22nd spot.

Jefferson is regarded as one of, if not the best receiver in the NFL. The fact that the Bills could have had Patrick Mahomes and Justin Jefferson provides a massive “what if”, but now we will more than likely never know.

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