Atlanta Falcons–Los Angeles Chargers Trade History

Atlanta received future draft choices in exchange for Rich Stepanek. Contemporary accounts support a plural draft return, including reference to a high 1972 choice, although the exact rounds and downstream selections cannot be confirmed safely. Preserving the package as future draft choices recognizes the supported consideration without assigning speculative pick identities and leaves Atlanta with the stronger documented value.

Atlanta received a 1974 eighth-round selection in exchange for Louis Ross. The exact downstream Atlanta selection remains unidentified, so the return cannot be credited to a specific player with confidence. Even so, the Falcons retained legitimate draft capital from the deal. That modest value is enough to edge San Diego because Ross did not make a regular-season appearance for the Chargers.

Atlanta received Sam Williams. The available record does not show a comparable regular-season contribution for the Falcons after the exchange, so Atlanta's return fell short of the immediate production Hayes supplied to San Diego. The C- grade reflects that realized football value and the complete supported package, while the overall verdict is Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers Win.

Atlanta received only a conditional 1987 sixth-round draft choice for Thomas Benson, not the specific No. 143 pick previously attached to this trade. Contemporary reporting later indicated that the conditional choice was returned to San Diego in a separate transaction. With no durable retained return from this exchange, Atlanta realized little value, supporting a D+ grade given the supported package.

Atlanta Falcons received Ed Luther. Atlanta acquired quarterback Ed Luther. The move gave the Falcons the player they targeted, but his return did not match the combined usefulness of the player and restored draft capital sent to the Chargers. Washington plus the recovered draft asset gave the Chargers the more useful overall package, supporting the existing Chargers-side result. That outcome supports a C+ grade for Atlanta Falcons.

San Diego sent guard-tackle Curtis Rouse to Atlanta on August 4, 1988 for past considerations. The exact monetary or administrative terms are not published, so no extra compensation should be invented. Rouse was released by Atlanta before the 1988 regular season and never played another NFL game, leaving the Chargers with the slightly better realized outcome.

Atlanta acquired quarterback Billy Joe Tolliver from San Diego for a 1992 fifth-round pick, No. 131, used on linebacker Kevin Little. Tolliver appeared in 23 games across three Falcons seasons and made nine starts, giving Atlanta meaningful quarterback depth. Little did not appear in an NFL regular-season game for San Diego. The trade therefore produced a clear Falcons advantage from a modest mid-round cost.

Atlanta acquired veteran receiver Tony Martin from San Diego for a 1999 second-round pick. Martin immediately delivered 66 catches, 1,181 yards and six touchdowns for the 14-2 Falcons, helping the franchise reach its first Super Bowl. San Diego used the No. 60 pick on Jermaine Fazande, who played 20 games and rushed for 733 career yards. Atlanta received the much larger immediate payoff.

Atlanta moved from No. 5 to No. 1 for Michael Vick, sending San Diego Tim Dwight, the fifth pick, a third-rounder and a 2002 second-rounder. Vick became a transformative Falcons star and led Atlanta to the 2004 NFC Championship Game. The Chargers used No. 5 on Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson and also gained useful supporting assets, giving San Diego the greater total return.

Atlanta Falcons received Trevor Gaylor from Los Angeles Chargers, sending 2004 7th round pick (209th overall, Shane Olivea) the other way. The existing Chargers-win direction is well supported. That outcome supports a C+ grade for Atlanta Falcons, and the overall verdict is Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers Win.

Atlanta Falcons received 2025 7th round pick (218th overall, Jack Nelson) from Los Angeles Chargers, sending Taylor Heinicke the other way. Heinicke supplied limited backup snaps and Nelson's early return is modest, so the trade is best treated as roughly even. That outcome supports a C+ grade for Atlanta Falcons, and the overall verdict is Even Trade.