Trade 1
January 29, 1973
New Orleans Saints received Billy Newsome.
NFL Trade History
Billy Newsome NFL Trade History
TradeVerdicts connects Billy Newsome to 4 exact public NFL transactions involving Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, and Chicago Bears.
4 Recorded trades
5 Teams represented
1973–1977 Trade-history span
Teams in this profile: Indianapolis Colts New Orleans Saints New York Jets Buffalo Bills Chicago Bears
Player Transaction Context
Why Billy Newsome Appears in the Trade Database
This profile follows Billy Newsome across 4 recorded transactions from January 29, 1973 through September 1, 1977. Each connection below comes from the database relationship for that transaction rather than a name-only search.
Trade 2
January 28, 1975
New York Jets received Billy Newsome.
Trade 3
August 3, 1977
Buffalo Bills received Billy Newsome.
Trade 4
September 1, 1977
Chicago Bears received Billy Newsome.
Across this profile, the recorded verdicts are Indianapolis Colts Win; Even Trade; New York Jets Win; Chicago Bears Win. The timeline spans 1973–1977 and 5 represented teams.
How to Read This Profile
Trade History Overview
Every transaction below comes from an explicit player-to-trade relationship in the TradeVerdicts database. Name-only substring matching is not used.
The cards summarize the date, teams, assets, grades, and verdict. Open the full trade page for the complete analysis and sourcing context. Grading standards are explained in the TradeVerdicts methodology.
Chronological Timeline
4 Recorded Trades
Trade 1 of 4
Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints
Baltimore acquired the No. 2 pick in the 1973 draft from New Orleans and used it on quarterback Bert Jones, sending defensive lineman Billy Newsome and the No. 86 selection, Jim Merlo, to the Saints. Jones became the 1976 NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year and led Baltimore's resurgence. The Saints received useful pieces, but nothing close to a franchise quarterback at his peak.
Assets Received
Indianapolis Colts
- Pick 1973 first round pick (#2-Bert Jones (Hays))
New Orleans Saints
- Player Billy Newsome
- Pick 1973 fourth round pick (#86-Jim Merlo)
Team Grades
Trade 2 of 4
New Orleans Saints and New York Jets
New Orleans acquired the No. 12 pick in the 1975 draft and selected offensive lineman Kurt Schumacher, while the Jets received defensive lineman Billy Newsome. Schumacher stayed with the Saints for 45 games and made 20 starts. Newsome immediately started all 14 games for New York in 1975 and recorded eight sacks, giving both teams useful value on different timelines.
Assets Received
New Orleans Saints
- Pick 1975 first round pick (#12-Kurt Schumacher)
New York Jets
- Player Billy Newsome
Team Grades
Trade 3 of 4
Buffalo Bills and New York Jets
Buffalo acquired Billy Newsome from the Jets for a 1978 sixth-round pick, then moved Newsome to Chicago before the season. The Jets used the pick on Bobby Jackson, actually No. 140 overall, not No. 141. Jackson became an eight-year Jets defensive back with 95 games, 90 starts and 21 interceptions. New York wins decisively, with draft records placing Jackson at No. 140 overall.
Assets Received
Buffalo Bills
- Player Billy Newsome
New York Jets
- Pick 1978 sixth round pick (#140-Bobby Jackson)
Team Grades
Trade 4 of 4
Buffalo Bills and Chicago Bears
Chicago received Billy Newsome; Buffalo received Connie Zelencik. Official team histories place the exchange on September 1, 1977, not August 31. Newsome started all 14 games at defensive end for Chicago that season, while Zelencik supplied Buffalo with a much smaller return. The hindsight grades are C+ for Buffalo Bills and B for Chicago Bears, producing a Chicago Bears Win verdict.
Assets Received
Buffalo Bills
- Player Connie Zelencik
Chicago Bears
- Player Billy Newsome