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Cardinals Trade Ranks Among Worst in NFL History

The Arizona Cardinals' move for Josh Rosen was ranked as one of the worst deals in league history.

Donnie Druin

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ARIZONA -- Before the Arizona Cardinals had Kyler Murray under center, Josh Rosen was believed to be the man in the desert.

That didn't last very long. 

Rosen lasted just one season as Arizona's quarterback before the Cardinals ditched Steve Wilks - and Rosen - for coach Kliff Kingsbury and Kyler Murray, who was selected as the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. 

Rosen's time was short-lived in the desert, an ultimate disappointment considering the draft capital then-GM Steve Keim traded to move up and take the UCLA product.

Bleacher Report recently ranked it as one of the worst trades in NFL history: 

"Seeing as how quarterback Josh Rosen hasn't thrown a regular-season pass since 2021, this trade had to make the list," wrote Kris Knox.

"The Arizona Cardinals were looking to add a new quarterback in 2018, and after watching Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold and Josh Allen come off the board, they made their move for UCLA's Josh Rosen.

"To land Rosen at No. 10 overall, general manager Steve Keim sent the 15th, 79th and 152nd picks to the Las Vegas Raiders. In return, Arizona got one season, 13 starts and some very poor quarterback play.

"Rosen finished his rookie year with 11 touchdowns, 14 interceptions and a dismal 66.7 quarterback rating. Exactly one year after being drafted, Rosen found himself replaced by Kyler Murray and traded to the Dolphins for second- and fifth-round picks.

"Making this deal look worse is the fact that Arizona passed on quarterback Lamar Jackson, now a two-time MVP, to make Rosen the fourth quarterback off the board."

The deal landed at No. 7 on their list, falling behind:

  • Bears' trade for Mitch Trubisky
  • Colts' deal for Trent Richardson
  • Saints trade entire draft for Ricky Williams
  • Broncos' deal for Russell Wilson
  • 49ers' move for Trey Lance
  • Vikings' massive haul for Herschel Walker

Rosen was last on the practice squad of the Minnesota Vikings in 2022. 

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Donnie Druin
DONNIE DRUIN

Donnie Druin is the Publisher for All Cardinals and Inside The Suns. Donnie moved to Arizona in 2012 and has been with Fan Nation since 2018. In college he won "Best Sports Column" in the state of Arizona for his section and has previously provided coverage for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona State Sun Devils. Follow Donnie on Twitter @DonnieDruin for more news, updates, analysis and more!