Jerome Bettis trade

Coupled with Phillips subsequently becoming a draft bust due to off-the-field issues, the trade has since become one of the more lopsided deals in NFL history, strongly favoring the Steelers and eventually leading to Bettis's induction to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015.

[citation needed] The Rams had interest from teams for Bettis's services, primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Houston Oilers, both of whom had run-heavy offenses.

[3] For the Oilers part, the team was entering its second full season under head coach Jeff Fisher and was still rebuilding from its late 1980s-early 1990s success after a threat from owner Bud Adams was followed through on blowing up that organization if it didn't reach the Super Bowl.

Coming off an appearance in Super Bowl XXX, O'Donnell left in free agency while Morris was arrested for marijuana possession,[4] creating a void at running back while the Steelers were transitioning into a run-oriented team.

[6] Many sports journalists initially felt that the Rams got the better end of the deal due to the relatively high compensation for Bettis, feeling that he was already on the decline at 24.

The Steelers (then as now dating back to Noll's tenure) also rarely made trades, preferring to build through the draft and were criticized for making the deal.

[8] Had the Bettis trade fell through after the pick, the Steelers would have been left without a power running back, as Morris pled guilty to possession charges in June and be subsequently released by the team.

Additionally, Alstott went on to a successful 12-year career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a three-time All-Pro while Stephens became one of the Steelers biggest draft busts after being infamously cut on the first day of training camp in 1999 after failing to complete a 40-yard dash.