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
3 Recorded Trades
Oldest to newest
Trade 1 of 3
Pittsburgh Steelers and San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers Win Tier: major
Confidence: high
Pittsburgh sent John Henry Johnson to San Francisco in 1954 for halfback Ed Pullerton. The 49ers' own trade history confirms the straight player-for-player exchange. Johnson joined the famed Million Dollar Backfield, produced at a high level and eventually entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Pullerton did not deliver comparable Pittsburgh value, making San Francisco's advantage clear and allowing the confidence level to rise.
San Francisco 49ers received Bill Stits from Detroit Lions for John Henry Johnson and 1958 seventh round pick (#83-Ralph Pfeifer). The recorded outcome favors Detroit Lions.
Pittsburgh Steelers Win Tier: major
Confidence: high
Pittsburgh acquired fullback John Henry Johnson from Detroit in April 1960 for two draft selections that the Lions used on Dick Mills in 1961 and John Lomakoski in 1962. Johnson enjoyed the best stretch of his Hall of Fame career with the Steelers, becoming the franchise's first 1,000-yard rusher and making three Pro Bowls. Detroit's two picks produced little comparable impact.
