Arizona Cardinals–Detroit Lions Trade History

Arizona Cardinals received Pug Vaughan in the 1936-05-19 exchange with Detroit Lions. Pug Vaughan handled a meaningful passing role for the Cardinals in 1936, giving Chicago the clearer immediate return. The direct package, rather than later movement of any acquired asset, is the basis for the hindsight judgment. Against what Arizona Cardinals surrendered, the result supports Arizona Cardinals Win.

The Cardinals acquired Tom Chantiles in the October 22, 1942 player-for-player exchange. Chantiles had appeared in two games for Detroit before the trade, but his Cardinals stay was extremely short and he was released roughly a week later. That left Chicago with essentially no meaningful post-trade playing return from the deal and makes this side of the exchange difficult to defend.

The Cardinals received John 'Johnny' Hall in the 1943 player exchange. Hall contributed after the move, but his Cardinals value was concentrated primarily in that season and did not match the multi-year return Detroit received from Bob Keene. The direct package was simple and legitimate; the difference comes from how much useful football each player supplied after changing clubs.

Detroit sent a 1949 seventh-round pick to the Chicago Cardinals, and the transferred selection became Myrl Greathouse at No. 62 overall. The Lions' incoming consideration remains undisclosed in the surviving transaction material. Because Chicago received a clearly traceable draft asset while Detroit's return is uncertain, the existing C- grade remains defensible.

The Cardinals acquired Frank Tripucka and received immediate quarterback production in 1950. He appeared in 10 games, started once, threw for 720 yards and four touchdowns, and gave the club a real if short-lived return. Arizona did not come away empty-handed, but the value was much narrower than Detroit's three-player package.

The Cardinals received tackle Gerard Walters, also known as Bucky Walters, from Detroit in the 1950 player-for-player exchange. Walters did not go on to provide a meaningful regular-season NFL return for the Cardinals after the move. Fred Wendt likewise failed to create a material post-trade advantage for Detroit, so Arizona's side of the transaction fits a C- grade and an even verdict.

Detroit acquired former league scoring champion Pat Harder from the Chicago Cardinals for John Panelli and the 1952 second-round choice used on Pete Brewster. Harder immediately scored and rushed for Detroit, then contributed to the Lions' 1952 and 1953 championship run. Panelli became a three-year Cardinals starter, but Brewster never played for Chicago, giving Detroit the stronger realized return.

Arizona Cardinals received Art Murakowski and Bob Momsen. The Cardinals received Art Murakowski and Bob Momsen, but neither produced the expected Cardinals return. Murakowski did not play a Cardinals regular-season game, and Momsen's documented 1952 regular-season service came with San Francisco rather than Arizona. Those outside-team appearances cannot be credited to the Cardinals.

Detroit's unusual return was Buster Ramsey's coaching services, and the payoff was enormous: he joined the staff in 1952, ran the defense through 1959 and served on championship teams in 1952, 1953 and 1957. Chicago received Jerry Krall, whom Detroit had already released and re-signed solely to complete the transaction; Krall never played a Cardinals regular-season game. Detroit's A-to-D win is one of the clearest coaching-for-player outcomes in the archive.

Arizona Cardinals received Harry Allis. The Cardinals received Harry Allis, but he did not develop into an NFL regular-season contributor. Contemporary accounts show he was traded to the Cardinals in August 1952, yet his professional football path ended as he pursued medical training. Arizona therefore realized little on-field value from the acquired player.

Detroit sent Pat Summerall to the Chicago Cardinals for cash in September 1953. Pro Football Archives places the trade on September 22, one day earlier than the old row. Summerall then spent five seasons with Chicago as a kicker and defensive end, becoming a regular starter by 1956. The Cardinals gained durable football value for a cash-only return.

Detroit acquired Carl Brettschneider from the Cardinals for Mike Rabold on July 31, 1960. Brettschneider provided the Lions with several seasons of useful defensive service, while Rabold's Cardinals stay was much shorter. That difference gives Detroit the stronger realized return and supports a Lions win, with Detroit at B and the Cardinals at C+.

Detroit acquired Hall of Fame cornerback Dick "Night Train" Lane from the Chicago Cardinals on August 22, 1960 for lineman Gerry Perry. Lane immediately became a centerpiece of the Lions defense, earned repeated All-NFL honors, and intercepted 21 passes in six Detroit seasons. Perry did not produce comparable value for the Cardinals, making this one of Detroit's strongest veteran acquisitions.

Arizona Cardinals received draft pick (possibly 1967 #193-Mike Gold). The locked Wave 209 research supports the D grade after comparing the direct production and draft value attributable to this transaction. The evaluation excludes unrelated later moves and unsupported assumptions. Against Detroit Lions, that documented return supports the final verdict of Detroit Lions Win.

St. Louis Cardinals received Ernie Clark in the 1968-06-25 exchange with Detroit Lions. Clark did not match the sustained Cardinals value that Detroit received from Robb after the exchange. Against Detroit Lions' return of Joe Robb, that outcome supports a C grade. The transaction is judged Detroit Lions Win, with the mark tied to the football value that actually followed from the deal.

St. Louis Cardinals received cash in the 1968-09-03 exchange with Detroit Lions. St. Louis received cash, but the amount is not established in the researched record, limiting the ability to assign the Cardinals a meaningful advantage. Against Detroit Lions' return of Mike Campbell (a), that outcome supports a C- grade. The transaction is judged Even Trade, with the mark tied to the football value that actually followed from the deal.

Arizona Cardinals received 1969 3rd round pick (73rd overall, Terry Brown) in the 1968-09-04 exchange with Detroit Lions. The Cardinals received the 1969 third-round pick used on Terry Brown, who supplied defensive and return-game value over two seasons. That return was substantial enough to balance Detroit's immediate gain. The direct return and the football value it produced drive the hindsight judgment. Against the assets Arizona Cardinals surrendered, the result supports Even Trade and a B- grade for Arizona Cardinals.

Arizona Cardinals received cash, while Detroit Lions received Bobby Williams. St. Louis received cash rather than a player who could create comparable on-field value. The Cardinals therefore did not match the impact Williams later delivered in Detroit. In hindsight, that direct return supports a D grade for Arizona Cardinals. The grade reflects realized football value from this exchange rather than reputation alone.

Arizona Cardinals received 1970 eighth round pick (#201-Mike Holmgren). The Cardinals received the 1970 eighth-round pick used on Mike Holmgren, who did not produce an NFL playing career. A full season of Goich clearly outweighs a draft selection that produced no NFL playing return, giving Detroit the edge. That outcome supports a D+ grade for Arizona Cardinals.

St. Louis Cardinals received Ray Parson in the 1972-04-14 exchange with Detroit Lions. Parson did not produce value for St. Louis comparable to what Detroit realized from Schmiesing and his later trade return. Against Detroit Lions' return of Joe Schmiesing, that outcome supports a C grade. The transaction is judged Detroit Lions Win, with the mark tied to the football value that actually followed from the deal.

Arizona received Paul Gipson and the 1973 sixth-round selection that became No. 148 Phil Andre. The historical record does not show that either asset developed into a lasting advantage for the Cardinals. With Detroit likewise receiving only limited long-term value from Rick Ogle, Arizona's C grade reflects a modest return that was neither a clear loss nor a meaningful win.

Arizona Cardinals: St. Louis converted the pick into Ike Harris, who later delivered three productive Cardinals seasons and posted 52 catches for 782 yards in 1976. The B+ grade reflects only value tied directly to this transaction, including production or draft value the club itself controlled. Against Detroit Lions, that supported return leads to the final verdict of Arizona Cardinals Win.

Arizona Cardinals received $200 cash. St. Louis received $200 in cash, a nominal return that carried little direct football significance for the Cardinals. That outcome supports a D grade because the return is measured by the direct football value Arizona Cardinals actually received after the deal, compared with the asset sent the other way.

Detroit acquired Mike Dawson and the 1984 third-round pick that became No. 62 Eric Williams from St. Louis for Al 'Bubba' Baker, identified as the outgoing player the next day. Baker delivered several productive pass-rush seasons for the Cardinals, while Detroit received useful but lesser aggregate value. Removing an unrelated eighth-round pick clarifies the Cardinals' modest hindsight advantage.

Detroit traded wide receiver Larry Foster to Arizona on April 27, 2003 for the Cardinals' seventh-round selection, No. 220, which the Lions used on Blue Adams. Arizona obtained immediate receiver depth, while Detroit converted Foster into a fresh draft opportunity. The transaction was small, but the Lions extracted a usable asset instead of losing the player for nothing, creating a modest Detroit edge.

Detroit moved down from No. 6 to No. 12 in 2023 and came away with Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta and additional draft capital, while Arizona moved up for tackle Paris Johnson Jr. Gibbs has made three Pro Bowls, scored an NFL-record 49 touchdowns through three seasons and surpassed 5,000 scrimmage yards; LaPorta has 2,104 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns. Johnson has been a quality starting tackle, but Detroit’s two-star return is exceptional.

Detroit moved up to No. 96 for Brodric Martin and sent Arizona picks Nos. 122, 139 and 168. Martin appeared in only six games with one start over his first two active seasons. Arizona's return produced guard Jon Gaines II, quarterback Clayton Tune and linebacker Owen Pappoe, giving the Cardinals several roster contributors. The package was not spectacular, but it clearly outperformed Detroit's limited result.