There have been numerous trades in NY Giants’ history that haven’t worked out, including some of Dave Gettleman’s signature moves as general manager
The NY Giants have been involved in numerous trades over the years. Many have changed the landscape of the NFL and caused a ripple effect on the entire league. They didn’t all work out.
In most trades, there is a winner and a clear loser.
The Giants have come out on the winning end with trades such as the one for Eli Manning, OJ Anderson became a Super Bowl MVP, and there’s always the old days when the Giants Stole Andy Robustelli from the Rams.
But, not every trade has worked out for New York. There have been several cases of them taking a shot on a guy that didn’t work out.
Here, we take a look at some of the worst trades in NY Giants’ history.
No. 4 Worst Trade in NY Giants History: The Infamous Odell Beckham Jr. Trade
Here we go again.
The trade that will never let its hype fade away.
When the NY Giants traded Odell Beckham Jr., it was a shocking move to say the least. New York had just signed him to a five-year, $95 million extension just a few months prior, and he had another successful 1,000-yard campaign.
Beckham was traded to Cleveland with Olivier Vernon for a huge player-for-player deal with draft picks including Jabrill Peppers, Kevin Zeitler, and a 2019 1st round and 3rd round pick coming to NY.
Beckham famously said he believed the NY Giants sent him to Cleveland “to die”.
While it’s an exaggerated take, the trade hasn’t worked out much for either side.
The NY Giants used the two draft picks on Dexter Lawrence and Oshane Ximines. Dexter Lawrence has been the most impactful, consistent player in the trade for the Giants. However, he still isn’t much of a pass-rusher and that pick would’ve been better off using that pick on an EDGE player like Montez Sweat (taken 26th overall by WFT).
Ximines has been virtually nonexistent throughout his entire career. After flashing with 4.5 sacks his rookie year, he’s had zero through the last two seasons and missed 12 games in 2020.
Zeitler was a fine NY Giants player and their best lineman for two seasons. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t enough to fix the offensive line and his bloated contract ended with him being a salary cut. The Giants had two losing seasons with him and got no compensation back for the most accomplished, proven player outside of Odell in this trade.
Lastly, Peppers has been a safety of mixed bags as a Giant.
He struggled in 2019 his first year with the team before excelling for a career-best season in 2020. Unfortunately, he missed five games to end the season and then only played in five and a half this year before tearing his ACL. To make matters worse, he’s in a contract year and his status as a NY Giant is very much in question. Jabrill has been a solid, respected player in the locker room and has been voted as a team captain but he hasn’t stayed healthy or been consistent enough on the field.
The NY Giants’ passing offense has been anemic in Beckham’s absence since 2018. It simply hasn’t had the same ability to create separation and find open seams in the defensive backfields. There isn’t a game-breaking threat at the receiver position to complement Saquon Barkley (when he’s healthy).
Trading Beckham was a mistake at the time and it never worked out. The NY Giants ate over $15 million in dead cap just for him NOT to be on the team which seemed like a football and financially responsive decision. The team has only gotten worse in his absence and three slow starts have again ended the Giants’ seasons before it ended.
No. 3 Worst Trade in NY Giants History: JPP to TB
Jason Pierre-Paul was a terrific NY Giants’ defensive end.
Pierre-Paul was the classic, prototypical NY Giants’ pass-rusher off the EDGE who could wreak havoc equally in the run and pass game.
Pierre-Paul helped lead the Giants’ defense to Super Bowl XLVI in their rematch victory upset of Tom Brady, Belichick, and the New England Patriots.
Along the way, JPP racked up16.5 sacks and had some dominant individual performances (particularly both games against Dallas) to earn Pro Bowl and 1st Team All-Pro honors.
Going into 2018, Pierre-Paul produced 15.5 sacks combined his prior two seasons. Pierre-Paul led the way for the Giants pass rush and was one of the few holdovers from their Super Bowl team.
Instead, Dave Gettleman shipped him off for a third-round pick to Tampa Bay, near his upbringing in South Florida. Gettleman thought JPP wouldn’t fit the Giants’ new 3-4 scheme along with a hefty, but deserving contract. JPP has since responded with 39 sacks in 4 years with Tampa Bay along with another Pro Bowl and Super Bowl ring.
Pierre-Paul helped lead the way for Tampa Bay with a ferocious pass rush while NY has had zero resemblance of a pass rush since Pierre-Paul’s departure.
No. 2 Worst Trade in NY Giants History: Trading Up for DeAndre Baker
The NY Giants trading up for DeAndre Baker was a colossal mistake.
From the beginning, the trade seemed forced, unnecessary, and somewhat greedy for the Giants. New York had already made two 1st round selections that night, they didn’t need to waste more capital for another pick.
Gettleman targeted Baker, and felt he had to get him. It was worth giving up the picks to him as moving into the 1st round gave the Giants an extra contract year on Baker’s rookie deal.
There were character concerns swirling around Baker before the draft. Questions about immaturity and his attitude led to him dropping so low to where the Giants got him at 30th overall.
The Seahawks traded back with the Ny Giants to No. 37 overall along with their fourth and fifth-round picks. Baker responded with a disastrous rookie season on and off the field. He struggled in coverage and with penalties along with his focus and dedication to football in the locker room and film room.
Baker’s career as a NY Giant came to an abrupt end when the team cut him after some troubling allegations surrounding Baker committing an armed robbery. Baker was a wasted investment and a sunk cost for the team. The NY Giants cut ties with Baker after only one, controversy-filled season in New York.
No. 1 Worst Trade in NY Giants History: Fran Tarkenton back to Minnesota
The NY Giants made an ill-advised decision in trading Fran Tarkenton back to the Vikings in 1972.
In four seasons with New York, Tarkenton earned three Pro bowl honors during his time but failed to make the playoffs.
Tarkenton was sent back to Minnesota in ’72 in exchange mainly for Norm Snead at quarterback and Brad Van Pelt at linebacker. Snead was a total bust at QB while Van pelt went on to earn 5 Pro Bowls, one All-Pro with the Giants before being inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor.
However, Tarkenton experienced terrific success back in Minnesota. He’d win an NFL MVP award, NFL Offensive Player of the Year, two All-Pro appearances, three more Pro Bowl seasons, and also led the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns one apiece to end his career with the Vikes. On top of that, Tarkenton led his team to three Super Bowl appearances. Although he never won one, it’s a remarkable accomplishment nonetheless.