Every NFL fanbase has experienced at least one decision so baffling, so maddening, that it gets brought up in group chats and bar conversations decades later. Whether it’s a draft day disaster, a coaching hire gone wrong, or an all-time blunder in a playoff game, these are the moments that left fans screaming into the void.
From clueless front offices to panic moves that aged like milk, this list highlights the NFL decisions that continue to live in infamy. Some of them cost teams championships, others set franchises back years, and a few are just downright hilarious in hindsight.
20. Washington Trades Everything for RGIII
Washington went all-in for Robert Griffin III in 2012, giving up a boatload of picks to move up in the draft. One electric rookie season later, it all came crashing down, and fans are still left wondering what could’ve been.
19. Vikings Trade a First-Round Pick for Sam Bradford
After Teddy Bridgewater’s injury, Minnesota panicked and shipped a first-round pick to Philly for Sam Bradford. It didn’t pay off, and that pick eventually helped the Eagles build a Super Bowl team.
18. Seahawks Throw at the 1-Yard Line in the Super Bowl
You’ve got Marshawn Lynch and one yard to glory—and you throw the ball? That decision cost Seattle a championship and created an eternal “what if” moment in NFL history.
17. Bears Trade Up for Trubisky Instead of Taking Mahomes or Watson
Chicago not only picked Mitchell Trubisky over Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson, they traded up to do it. The ripple effects of that pick are still being felt in the Windy City.
16. Colts Hire Jeff Saturday as Interim Head Coach
The Colts brought in Jeff Saturday from the ESPN studio straight to the sideline. It went about as well as you’d expect, with a 1-7 record and a whole lot of head-scratching.
15. Browns Pass on Carson Wentz… Then Pass on Deshaun Watson (The First Time)
Cleveland had two chances to draft a franchise quarterback in 2016 and 2017—and passed both times. They finally traded for Watson years later, but the original decisions still sting.
14. Giants Let Odell Beckham Jr. Walk, Then Struggle to Replace Him
The Giants shipped off their most dynamic playmaker in his prime. The offense hasn’t been the same since, and the return package didn’t exactly pan out either.
13. Lions Draft Three Straight Wide Receivers in the First Round
From 2003 to 2005, Detroit used first-round picks on Charles Rogers, Roy Williams, and Mike Williams. Only one of them made a real impact, and fans still wince when reminded of the streak.
12. Texans Fire Bill O’Brien After Giving Him GM Power
Houston handed Bill O’Brien the keys to the roster—and he promptly drove it off a cliff. By the time he was fired, DeAndre Hopkins was gone and the future looked bleak.
11. Cowboys Hire Mike McCarthy After Saying They’d Look at All Options
Jerry Jones promised a wide-ranging coaching search, then settled on Mike McCarthy in a blink. It hasn’t exactly been a disaster, but fans are still waiting for that hire to really pay off.
10. Jets Draft Zach Wilson at No. 2 Overall
Wilson had the tools but none of the polish, and New York made him the face of the franchise anyway. It’s been a rough ride ever since, and the Jets are once again stuck in QB purgatory.
9. Jaguars Pass on Mahomes and Watson for Leonard Fournette
Jacksonville took a bruising back instead of a potential franchise quarterback. Fournette had flashes, but the Jags missed a golden opportunity at the most important position in sports.
8. Falcons Blow a 28-3 Lead in the Super Bowl
It’s not just a loss—it’s a meme, a punchline, and a permanent stain on Atlanta sports history. One bad decision after another let the Patriots back in the game, and Falcons fans may never recover.
7. Raiders Draft JaMarcus Russell No. 1 Overall
Oakland fell in love with the arm and ignored the red flags. Russell flamed out in spectacular fashion and remains one of the biggest draft busts in league history.
6. Packers Draft Jordan Love Instead of Helping Aaron Rodgers
Green Bay used a first-round pick on Rodgers’ replacement while he was still playing at an MVP level. The decision sparked drama, divided the fanbase, and didn’t help them win another title.
5. Saints Trade Their Entire 1999 Draft for Ricky Williams
Mike Ditka went full fantasy mode and sent every pick he had for one running back. The move didn’t work, and the Saints were left with no depth and nothing to show for it.
4. Broncos Hire Nathaniel Hackett
Denver brought in Hackett hoping to lure Aaron Rodgers—but got Russell Wilson instead. Hackett looked overwhelmed from the start and didn’t even finish his first season.
3. Eagles Let Andy Reid Walk Without a Real Plan
Philadelphia parted ways with the best coach in franchise history and wandered through the Chip Kelly era. Reid, meanwhile, became a legend in Kansas City.
Read More: Ranking the 20 Worst NFL Coaching Hires of All Time
2. Dolphins Pass on Drew Brees Over Medical Concerns
Miami chose Daunte Culpepper over Brees because of a shoulder injury. The Saints got a Hall of Famer, and the Dolphins got a decade of quarterback questions.
Read More: 10 Times NFL Teams Chose the Wrong Coach — And Knew It Instantly
1. Chargers Botch the End of the 2022 Season
All they had to do was run the ball and wind the clock—but instead, they blew a 27-0 lead to the Jaguars. That collapse cost them a playoff win and their coach nearly his job.
Read More: 10 NFL Coaches Hired for Vibes, Not Wins
