The recent news of Titans head coach Mike Vrabel being fired, and their owner Amy Adams Strunk mentioning how they could have traded Vrabel to another team but opted not to, have prompted me to think about NFL trades in general, more specifically player trades, and how they sometimes work for both teams involved.

ALL TIME WIN-WIN TRADE – MANNING & RIVERS

It is a disservice if I didn’t mention one of the best trades, a true win-win for both the New York Giants and the then San Diego Chargers, with the trade swaps of their two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks in Eli Manning and Philip Rivers.

The Chargers had the first overall selection in the 2004 NFL draft, after a 4-12 record the previous season. This prompted many analysts and individuals around the team to speculate that Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning would be the next man in charge.

Manning declined to play for the team, influenced by the negative treatment of quarterbacks like Ryan Leaf, a concern highlighted during discussions between Manning’s father and the former number one overall pick.

The New York Giants and the Chargers decided to complete a trade:

• Chargers selected Eli Manning 1st Overall
• New York Giants selected Philip Rivers 4th Overall
• Manning and Rivers were traded to the other team
• Giants gave the Chargers their third-round pick in 2004 draft
• Giants gave the Chargers their 1st and 5th round picks in the 2005 draft

Manning ended up winning two Super Bowls with the Giants and Rivers finished his Chargers career as an eight-time Pro Bowler and a multitude of career highlights and awards. He won 5 playoff games and posted 134 wins and 106 losses in the regular season as a member of the Chargers. Ultimately, it was a win-win for both teams despite Rivers never actually winning a Super Bowl. Had the trade been different, both franchises’ history would be changed forever.

GIBBS DRAFTED, SWIFT TRADED 

When the Detroit Lions drafted running back Jahmyr Gibbs with the 12 overall pick in the 2023 draft, it opened up many questions regarding D’Andre Swift and how he most likely will be traded to another team. Just a short time later, Swift was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles and the Lions swapped their seventh-round picks.

If one takes a look at the trade via the statistics and the record of both football teams, it can be seen that both players benefitted from the change of scenery.

Did Jahmyr Gibbs deserve the Pro Bowl nod over D’Andre Swift? pic.twitter.com/81Kwqi2vB2

— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) January 6, 2024

Swift and Gibbs both had solid regular seasons and are poised to make an impact in their upcoming playoff matches. One can say that both teams benefited from the trade as they not only put up solid statistics, but they also both established a ground attack that helped lead their respective programs to double-digital wins and playoff berths.

TJ HOCKENSON TO VIKES, LIONS DRAFT LAPORTA 

The Vikings acquired Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson and two draft picks during the 2022 regular season. Minnesota sent a 2023 second-round pick and a 2024 third-round pick to Detroit. During the 2023 NFL draft, the Lions drafted two individuals in the second round, both players making direct impacts with the football team.

With the 34th selection in the second round, general manager Brad Holmes selected Sam LaPorta, a tight end out of the University of Iowa. LaPorta has excelled in his rookie season and broke the rookie tight end receptions record and has been a solid selection and impact player for this high-powered offense.

With the 45th selection in the second round, Holmes took Alabama safety Brian Branch who has been impactful as well. Both the rookies for the Lions have made the team significantly better.

So, the Lions got rid of their tight end Hockenson and then drafted one the following year? That seems a bit questionable amongst the fans as Hockenson prior to the trade was a key athlete in Ben Johnson’s ever-evolving offense. Well, fast-forward a season later and one will see how both of these players had such a positive year for their two teams.

Sam LaPorta Regular Season Stats 2023: 

• 86 Receptions
• 889 Yards
• 10 Touchdowns
• 10.3 Average
• Pro Bowl
• Most Receptions by a rookie tight end: 82

*T.J. Hockenson Regular Season Stats 2023: 

*Note: Hockenson tore his ACL/ MCL in Week 16 vs. Lions 

• 95 Receptions
• 960 Yards
• 5 Touchdowns
• 10.1 Average

These two athletes have shown the type of player they can be for both of their new organizations. The trade worked for both parties involved and is another prime example of it working out in the end.

RECAP/ YOUR PICKS: 

This article could go on and on about all of the other trades that work out and even the ones that don’t work out, but, that would take way too long and it doesn’t sell the point I am trying to make. The point is that sometimes player trades work for both NFL teams and it is up to the fans to accept the results whenever a trade goes down. Time and time again I read posts on X, formerly Twitter, and the fans question the general managers, owners, or the head coach.

Recently we have seen some success regarding the recent player trades and it is always a great thing to highlight.

Comment down below on player trades that you believe has worked out for both teams.