NFL Trade Scenarios: 10 Teams That Make Sense for Albert Haynesworth

Albert Haynesworth has been much maligned in the last couple years of his carrier, and he has given people plenty of reason to think negatively towards him.

He has had a handful of pretty serious off-field issues, and his on-field attitude and effort have been questioned more than once.

His situation with the Redskins is at an all-time low right now, and I’d be surprised if coach Mike Shanahan will put up with him for another year.

The Redskins can either cut him or find somebody willing to trade for him. They wouldn’t be able to ask for much, but at least they would be getting something in return.

Haynesworth just might need a change of scenery and some structure around him to turn things around, after all there is no doubt that he is talented.

Here are 10 teams that would make sense for Albert Haynesworth.

10. Washington Redskins

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 22: Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan answers questions from the media during the NFL Annual Meetings at the Roosevelt Hotel on March 22, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Despite a NFL owners imposed lockout in effect sin

This is the least likely of all the scenarios involving Haynesworth but keep in mind that the Redskins technically still do have him on their roster.

If the ‘Skins aren’t able to trade him away, then they would be forced to either just flat out release him, or they could suck it up and try to get what they can out of him.

They owe him a sizable chunk of money, and I don’t see them just cutting ties and letting him walk.

I could see it being a very ugly situation though, so I’m guessing Washington will be trying to avoid that.

9. Detroit Lions

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DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 02: Head coach Jim Schwartz of the Detroit Lions looks on while playing the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on January 2, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 20-13. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

I’d say out of all the teams on this list, Detroit would have to be the long shot.

The Lions are a young and talented but impressionable team. Their locker room can’t afford to have somebody not be on the same page as the rest of the organization, and if Haynesworth pulls his usual stunts, it could be a deadly distraction to this budding team.

That being said, Haynesworth does have ties to Detroit, and he would fit in well with the 4-3 defense that the Lions do run.

It's interesting enough to think about in theory, but in reality, I think that it’s a long shot.

8. New England Patriots

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots talks with head coach Bill Belichick before playing against the Green Bay Packers at Gillette Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots won the g

The Patriots are the type of organization that would be able to handle Albert Haynesworth, and he might actually be able to benefit from the type of structure they would provide for him.

Bill Belichick would only put up with so much of Haynesworth’s shenanigans.

Consider that he didn’t start Wes Welker in a playoff game because he backhandedly was making fun of Jets coach Rex Ryan’s foot fetishes.

I can only imagine what would happen to Haynesworth if he tried to pull something as a member of the Patriots.

7. New Orleans Saints

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 22: New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton answers questions from the media during the NFL Annual Meetings at the Roosevelt Hotel on March 22, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Despite a NFL owners imposed lockout in effect since

The Saints may have suffered from the feared “Super Bowl Hangover” last season, but either way, they were definitely suffering on both sides of the ball comparatively.

Their defense was scary good the year they won the Super Bowl, but they seemed to lack a spark this past season.

Haynesworth would bring a very large presence to their front seven, and perhaps, he could reignite the flame under the Saints defense.

One thing to consider is that New Orleans could be a place where Albert could find himself in a lot of trouble, so the Saints organization would have to keep a very close watch on him.

6. Cincinatti Bengals

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BALTIMORE, MD - JANUARY 2: Head coach Marvin Lewis of the Cincinnati Bengals coaches against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Bengals 13-6. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

The Bengals desperately need to right the ship on both sides of the ball.

Haynesworth would be a pleasant addition of strength, power and talent to their defensive line, and he would fit in well with the culture that the Bengals have created.

I’m not sure if that’s a good team, but just a few years ago, the Bengals were a team threatening to make Super Bowl runs, and now, they are in disarray.

Albert Haynesworth would represent a huge improvement for their defense.

5. New York Jets

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 22: New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan answers questions from the media during the NFL Annual Meetings at the Roosevelt Hotel on March 22, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Despite a NFL owners imposed lockout in effect since March 1

Albert Haynesworth would have no problem fitting in with Rex Ryan and the Jets.

The Jets are already a team that is pretty much defensively set, so Haynesworth might have to take a back seat and accept a lesser role.

That being said, he would have the opportunity to play and be a valuable contributor on a team that is dead set on playing in the Super Bowl.

Ryan would be able to deal with Haynesworth, and if he did act up, I’m pretty confident that Ryan would also be able to cause a bigger scene to distract the media.

4. Denver Broncos

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ENGLEWOOD, CO - JANUARY 14: Denver Broncos vice president of football operations John Elway (L), owner Pat Bowlen and new head coach John Fox share a laugh before Fox addressed the media at Dove Valley on January 14, 2011 in Englewood, Colorado. Fox was

One could assume that Denver is going to draft one of the big defensive studs in the 2011 NFL draft, so there would be some sort of strategy involved in obtaining Haynesworth.

Despite personal issues, there can be no doubt that he knows how to play the game of football, and he does have a lot to offer to a younger player fundamentally.

On the field, Haynesworth would dominate so much space and energy from the offensive line that it would allow this younger defensive player more space to make plays and to grow in confidence.

Also, you don't mess with John Elway!

3. Oakland Raiders

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ALAMEDA, CA - JANUARY 18: Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis speaks during a press conference on January 18, 2011 in Alameda, California. Hue Jackson was introduced as the new coach of the Oakland Raiders, replacing the fired Tom Cable. (Photo by Justin Sul

Al Davis doesn’t care who you are, what you’ve done or what you can do.

If you have a pulse and can correctly spell the world "football," chances are you can be an Oakland Raider.

Haynesworth would be a fan-favorite, and he probably wouldn’t be looked down upon all that much if he acted up here and there.

He would also be a much-needed boost of talent on a team that could use it.

2. Dallas Cowboys

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 21: Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones attends the NFL Annual Meetings at the Roosevelt Hotel on March 21, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Despite a NFL owners imposed lockout in effect since March 12 the league is conducting its ann

Jerry Jones is just a step below Al Davis on the crazy scale, and he would make a move for Haynesworth just to make headlines.

Haynesworth wouldn’t have the luxury of slacking off because that won’t fly in Dallas, and more than likely, he’d have to be the main guy at nose tackle.

Playing for a historic team like the Cowboys just might rejuvenate his passion for the actual game of football.

1. Philadelphia Eagles

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 22: Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid answers questions from the media during the NFL Annual Meetings at the Roosevelt Hotel on March 22, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Despite a NFL owners imposed lockout in effect since

The Eagles went out and hired Jim Washburn, who just so happens to be Haynesworth’s supposed all-time favorite positions coach, so a final landing with the Eagles would not be shocking to me.

Haynesworth saw Washburn as a great coach and teacher and stated that he owed him “everything,” including most of his contract. I assume that was a joke because Haynesworth doesn’t strike me as the type of guy that would part with his money.

I do think he would be a great fit in Philadelphia though. If he acts up, the organization would be the least of his worries. He’d have to have to look out for the fans!

They’re a mean bunch down in Philly.