Chicago Bears–New England Patriots Trade History

Chicago acquired running back Carl Garrett from New England for the 1973 first-round pick used on Darryl Stingley. Garrett gave the Bears two productive seasons, including 655 rushing yards in 1973, while Stingley produced 1,883 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns across five Patriots seasons. Both sides received real value, with New England earning the narrow edge.

New England received Chicago's 1974 second-round pick, used on Steve Corbett, plus the fourth-round pick at No. 82, which the Patriots later moved to Pittsburgh for Ralph Anderson. Chicago acquired Tom Reynolds, Ken Lee, and the pick used on Ken Grandberry. Grandberry's productive 1974 season gives the Bears a slight edge, but New England also extracted legitimate value.

New England received cash; Chicago received James Callier. Historical team records confirm New England sold James Callier to Chicago on August 14, 1974. Callier did not establish regular-season value for the Bears, leaving the Patriots with certain cash consideration and Chicago without a durable football return. The hindsight grades are D+ for Chicago Bears and C+ for New England Patriots, producing a New England Patriots Win verdict.

New England acquired defensive end Tony McGee from Chicago just before the 1974 season for an eighth-round choice in 1975 and a third-round choice in 1976. McGee became a long-term Patriots contributor and was later named to the franchise's All-1970s Team. Chicago used the acquired choices on Joe Harris and Brian Baschnagel; Baschnagel alone played 129 games for the Bears, starting 73 and producing 2,024 receiving yards. The realized value on both sides makes an even verdict the fairest result.

Chicago acquired veteran linebacker Rod Shoate from New England in April 1982 for a 1983 fifth-round pick. Shoate was released by the Bears before the regular season and never appeared in a game for Chicago. New England used No. 118 on defensive end Smiley Creswell, who never played for the Patriots and appeared in only three NFL games elsewhere.

Chicago Bears received John Lee (b) from New England Patriots, while New England Patriots received undisclosed conditional draft pick (details not identified) in the 1982-05-25 deal. In hindsight, Chicago Bears's return did not separate far enough from New England Patriots to justify a higher grade. The final grades are C for Chicago Bears and C for New England Patriots, producing a verdict of Even Trade. The rating reflects the documented package, the certainty of the consideration, and the football value that can actually be assigned in hindsight.

Chicago traded quarterback Doug Flutie to New England in October 1987 for a 1988 eighth-round pick that became No. 208 David Tate. Flutie soon started for the Patriots and made nine starts in 1988 alone, throwing for 1,150 yards while adding mobility on the ground. New England obtained meaningful quarterback service for a very low draft cost.

Chicago moved down one slot from No. 13 to No. 14 and also received No. 193. The Bears selected Michael Haynes at No. 14, but he played only 43 NFL games and made four starts; the sixth-round asset was later moved again. The return did not approach the sustained defensive value New England created with Ty Warren.

New England acquired veteran nose tackle Ted Washington from Chicago in August 2003 for a 2004 fourth-round selection. Washington gave the Patriots the interior size they wanted for a championship run and contributed during the season that ended with a Super Bowl XXXVIII victory. Chicago converted an aging defender into future draft capital, but New England received the more immediate high-leverage football contribution.

On 2003-08-25, Chicago Bears received conditional future draft pick (not conveyed), while New England Patriots received Jamil Soriano. The hindsight verdict is Even Trade, with Chicago Bears graded C and New England Patriots graded C. The evaluation credits only the consideration that can be traced confidently and keeps uncertain pick details out of the final judgment.

On 2004-08-17, Chicago Bears received Quinn Dorsey, while New England Patriots received conditional draft pick (not conveyed). The hindsight verdict is Even Trade, with Chicago Bears graded C and New England Patriots graded C. The evaluation credits only the consideration that can be traced confidently and keeps uncertain pick details out of the final judgment.

On 2007-08-07, Chicago Bears received undisclosed 2008 draft pick, while New England Patriots received Dante Wesley. The hindsight verdict is Even Trade, with Chicago Bears graded C and New England Patriots graded C. The evaluation credits only the consideration that can be traced confidently and keeps uncertain pick details out of the final judgment.

Chicago traded linebacker Jon Bostic to New England in September 2015 for a 2016 sixth-round pick, No. 204. Chicago later moved that selection again before Miami ultimately used it on Jordan Lucas, so Lucas is downstream history rather than a Bears draft result. Bostic’s Patriots stay was brief, giving Chicago a small value edge for recovering usable draft capital.

New England acquired Martellus Bennett and a sixth-round pick from Chicago for a fourth-round selection. Bennett caught 55 passes for 701 yards and seven touchdowns in 2016, then became especially important after Rob Gronkowski was lost for the season and contributed throughout the Patriots' Super Bowl LI run. Chicago used the fourth-rounder on Deiondre' Hall, who made only a limited impact. New England won comfortably.

Chicago Bears received 2018 2nd round pick (51st overall, Anthony Miller) in the 2018-04-27 exchange with New England Patriots. Anthony Miller became a useful receiving option in Chicago, but he never developed into the kind of long-term difference-maker that would erase the cost of moving both a current fourth-rounder and a future second-rounder. The direct return and the football value it produced drive the hindsight judgment. Against the assets Chicago Bears surrendered, the result supports New England Patriots Win and a C grade for Chicago Bears.

Chicago moved from No. 87 to No. 73 in the 2019 draft for David Montgomery and also received pick No. 205, used on Duke Shelley. Montgomery became the Bears’ lead back for four seasons, topping 800 rushing yards every year and producing more than 4,800 yards from scrimmage in Chicago. New England received Damien Harris plus additional draft capital, making the price meaningful but still worthwhile for the Bears.

Chicago Bears received N'Keal Harry in the 2022-07-12 exchange, while New England Patriots received 2024 7th round pick (231st overall, Jaheim Bell). Chicago acquired N’Keal Harry for a future seventh-round choice. The cost was low, but Harry did not produce enough value for the Bears to make the acquisition a clear success, keeping Chicago around an average grade.

Chicago agreed on March 6, 2026 to send a 2027 fifth-round pick to New England for center Garrett Bradbury, a deal that became official with the new league year on March 11. The Bears moved quickly after Drew Dalman's retirement, adding a veteran who had started all 105 of his NFL games and every game of New England's 2025 run to Super Bowl LX.