Chicago Bears–Los Angeles Chargers Trade History

Chicago acquired veteran defensive lineman Steve DeLong, but his Bears tenure came at the end of his NFL career and produced limited lasting value. The C grade reflects a legitimate veteran acquisition without a substantial long-term payoff. San Diego's eventual use of the fourth-round selection on Jim Thaxton produced the stronger realized return and supports the Chargers Win verdict.

The Chargers acquired defensive back and return specialist Ron Smith from Chicago for the 1974 third-round pick used on Wayne Wheeler. Smith immediately led the NFL in punt-return average, scored two punt-return touchdowns, and started nine games for San Diego in 1973. The Chargers then traded him for two more picks in 1974, creating a decisive value advantage.

Chicago Bears received Tom Forrest, while Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers received $100 cash. Forrest played eight regular-season games for Chicago after the Bears paid only $100 for the rookie. The hindsight grades are B for Chicago Bears and C for Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers, producing a Chicago Bears Win verdict.

Two linked January 28, 1975 Chicago-San Diego transactions produced an aggregate exchange in which the Chargers landed the pick used on Mike Fuller plus Jim Harrison, while Chicago received Cid Edwards and the pick used on Tom Hicks. Fuller became a six-year Chargers defensive back and elite punt returner; Hicks also had a useful career. San Diego wins because Fuller was the strongest asset, but Chicago received real value.

San Diego traded wide receiver John Carroll to Chicago on July 28, 1975. Contemporary-style Chargers records describe the compensation as a conditional 1977 seventh-round choice that could become a sixth-rounder if the pick was not owed to Philadelphia in the Mark Nordquist trade, while later Chargers trade-history summaries list the realized return simply as a 1977 seventh-round pick.

San Diego traded wide receiver Billy Mullins to Chicago on August 10, 1981 for a conditional 1982 twelfth-round choice that would convey only if Mullins was active during the 1981 season. Chargers official trade history states the condition directly. Mullins never appeared in an NFL regular-season game, so the condition was not met and San Diego received no exercised pick.

Chicago Bears received 1982 fifth round pick (#134-Dennis Tabron) from Los Angeles Chargers, sending Allan Ellis the other way. Ellis started games for San Diego and Tabron produced no comparable NFL value, favoring the Chargers. That outcome supports a C grade for Chicago Bears, and the overall verdict is Los Angeles Chargers Win.

Chicago Bears received 1983 fourth round pick (#107-Pat Dunsmore) and 1983 eighth round pick (#219-Mark Bortz). Chicago used the acquired picks on Pat Dunsmore and Mark Bortz. Bortz became a long-term starting guard and Super Bowl champion, creating substantial sustained value from the deal. Compared with Los Angeles Chargers' return, the result supports a A grade and fits the Chicago Bears Win verdict.

Chicago Bears received Dave Finzer, while Los Angeles Chargers received 1985 twelfth round pick (#329-Bret Pearson). Chicago and San Diego histories document the August 15, 1984 Dave Finzer trade for a 1985 twelfth-round selection, ultimately Bret Pearson. That return earns a B- grade for Chicago Bears, and the overall verdict is Chicago Bears Win.

Chicago Bears received Maury Buford, while Los Angeles Chargers received 1986 twelfth round pick (#333-Mike Travis). Chicago's official trade history and 1985 transaction reporting establish Maury Buford for San Diego's 1986 twelfth-round choice, later No. 333, used on Mike Travis. That return earns a B+ grade for Chicago Bears, and the overall verdict is Chicago Bears Win.

Chicago traded Jim McMahon to San Diego in August 1989 for a conditional 1990 draft choice tied to his playing time. The condition ultimately produced pick No. 33, which the Bears used on linebacker Ron Cox. Cox developed into a long-term NFL contributor, while McMahon's Chargers stay was brief. That realized pick value gives Chicago a clear B+ to C hindsight win.

Chicago Bears received Shawn Lee. Shawn Lee started 14 of 15 games for Chicago in 1998, giving the Bears a meaningful short-term contribution from the veteran defensive lineman. That outcome supports a C+ grade because the return is measured by the direct football value Chicago Bears actually received after the deal, compared with the asset sent the other way.

San Diego traded four selections to Chicago to move from No. 62 to No. 37 in the 2007 draft for safety Eric Weddle. Weddle became a six-time Pro Bowler, earned multiple All-Pro honors and started 122 games for the Chargers. Chicago used the package on Dan Bazuin, Garrett Wolfe, Kevin Payne and Marcus Harrison, but none developed into a comparable long-term starter. The Chargers won emphatically.

Chicago acquired Dontrelle Inman for a conditional 2018 seventh-round pick tied to his receiving production. Inman caught 23 passes for 334 yards and a touchdown for the Bears in 2017, falling short of the reported 25-reception threshold. The condition therefore did not produce a pick for Los Angeles. Chicago received eight games of useful receiver production without surrendering the draft asset, while the Chargers received no realized return from the condition.

The Chargers acquired Khalil Mack from Chicago for a 2022 second-round pick and a 2023 sixth-rounder. Mack delivered multiple seasons of high-end edge play in Los Angeles, including a major 2023 pass-rushing season. Chicago used the second-round selection on safety Jaquan Brisker, who immediately became a full-time starter, leaving both organizations with substantial direct value from very different roster-building approaches.

Chicago received the final two selections of the 2022 draft and used them on Elijah Hicks and Trenton Gill. Hicks became a useful defensive back and special-teams contributor, while Gill handled punting duties before his Bears tenure ended. Getting two players who produced real NFL service from a future sixth gives Chicago the slightly stronger combined return.

Chicago Bears received Keenan Allen in the 2024-03-14 exchange, while San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers received 2024 4th round pick (110th overall subsequently traded, Javon Baker). Chicago acquired Keenan Allen and immediately added a proven receiving option. Allen gave the Bears direct veteran value from the trade, which is more than the Chargers ultimately realized from the original fourth-round asset in their own roster.