TradeVerdicts records 6 trades between
Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts across 1950–1993. Historical
franchise identities are normalized to the current franchises here,
while each underlying trade keeps its own sourced date, assets,
grades, and verdict.
This page includes every public TradeVerdicts record in which both
current franchises participate. Multi-team trades remain in the
chronology when both clubs are part of the transaction.
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Complete Matchup Chronology
6 Recorded Trades
Oldest to newest
Trade 1
August 27, 1950
Even Trade
Chicago BearsB-
Indianapolis ColtsB-
Chicago Bears received
1951 first round pick (#2-Bob Williams)
Indianapolis Colts received
Jim Spavital
Baltimore acquired fullback Jim Spavital from Chicago on August 27, 1950 for the Colts' 1951 first-round selection. Spavital started nine games that season and produced 484 yards from scrimmage with three touchdowns. Chicago used the No. 2 overall pick on quarterback Bob Williams, whose NFL career totaled 981 passing yards and 10 touchdowns. The two clubs received different but similarly limited long-term returns.
Chicago sent George Blanda, Bob Perina, Ernie Zalejski, Jim Crawford and Bob Jensen to Baltimore in September 1950. The Bears subsequently received standout guard Dick Barwegan and the rights to retired tackle Dub Garrett. Barwegan became a first-team All-Pro for Chicago, while Blanda was back with the Bears within weeks and the other Baltimore arrivals did not create comparable lasting value, leaving Chicago ahead.
Chicago reacquired George Blanda from Baltimore on September 20, 1950, for a reported $500 after the Colts had placed him on waivers. Contemporary Green Bay reporting says Baltimore withdrew the waiver claim process and Halas bought Blanda back; Pro Football Archives records Blanda's return to Chicago on September 20. He then remained with the Bears for years, making the small cash return a poor long-term exchange for Baltimore.
Baltimore acquired Dick Barwegen, Bob Williams and Paul Nestor from the Chicago Bears in July 1953 for Andy Hillhouse and two draft choices. Barwegen immediately became a Colts co-captain and starting lineman, giving Baltimore the clearest documented football value. The exact identities and later outcomes of Chicago's two selections are not securely established by the surviving reports.
Chicago acquired the NFL rights to Greg Latta and Noah Jackson in two same-day deals with Baltimore, while also receiving the Colts’ 1976 seventh-round selection. Latta played five seasons for Chicago and Jackson became a long-term starting guard. Baltimore received four selections that produced Dave Pear, Steve Joachim, Derrel Luce and Sanders Shiver, making this a productive exchange for both clubs but a slight Bears win.
1993 6th round pick (156th overall, subsequently traded to Green Bay)
Indianapolis Colts received
1993 4th round pick (92nd overall, Derwin Gray)
Indianapolis moved from No. 100 to No. 92 in the 1993 fourth round, sending Chicago No. 100 and No. 156. The Colts selected defensive back Derwin Gray, while the Bears chose linebacker Myron Baker at No. 100 and later used No. 156 in another draft trade. Neither side found a star, but Chicago created two usable assets from moving down eight spots and gets the edge.
