Trade 1
September 7, 1972
Chicago Bears received 1973 first round pick (#17) [later traded with 1973 third round pick (#58-John Brady) to Detroit Lions for Craig Cotton and 1973 first round pick (#19-Darryl Stingley)].
NFL Trade History
Craig Cotton NFL Trade History
TradeVerdicts connects Craig Cotton to 2 exact public NFL transactions involving Chicago Bears, Kansas City Chiefs, and Detroit Lions.
2 Recorded trades
3 Teams represented
1972–1973 Trade-history span
Player Transaction Context
Why Craig Cotton Appears in the Trade Database
This profile follows Craig Cotton across 2 recorded transactions from September 7, 1972 through January 30, 1973. Each connection below comes from the database relationship for that transaction rather than a name-only search.
Trade 2
January 30, 1973
Chicago Bears received Craig Cotton.
Across this profile, the recorded verdicts are Chicago Bears Win. The timeline spans 1972–1973 and 3 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
2 Recorded Trades
Trade 1 of 2
Chicago Bears and Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City acquired the rights to defensive lineman George Seals from Chicago on September 7, 1972 and sent the Bears a 1973 first-round pick, No. 17. Chicago later used that premium asset in another trade, preserving substantial flexibility from a player-rights transaction. The Chiefs did not receive enough long-term value from Seals to offset a first-round price, giving the Bears a clear win.
Assets Received
Kansas City Chiefs
- Other rights to George Seals
Chicago Bears
- Pick 1973 first round pick (#17) [later traded with 1973 third round pick (#58-John Brady) to Detroit Lions for Craig Cotton and 1973 first round pick (#19-Darryl Stingley)]
Team Grades
Trade 2 of 2
Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions
Detroit moved up from the No. 19 pick to No. 17 and also gained the No. 58 choice, sending tight end Craig Cotton to Chicago in the exchange. The Bears did not actually draft Darryl Stingley with No. 19; they moved that pick to New England for running back Carl Garrett, and the Patriots selected Stingley. Garrett's productive 1973 season gives Chicago the stronger realized return.
Assets Received
Detroit Lions
- Pick 1973 first round pick (#17-Earnest Price)
- Pick 1973 third round pick (#58-John Brady)
Chicago Bears
- Player Craig Cotton
- Pick 1973 first round pick (#19; traded to New England for Carl Garrett; Patriots selected Darryl Stingley)