Chicago Bears–Washington Commanders Trade History

Chicago Bears received Jim Spavital and John Adams / Tree Adams in the 1950-06-02 exchange, while Washington Redskins received Walt Stickel. Chicago sent Walt Stickel and received Jim Spavital plus John “Tree” Adams. Turning one outgoing player into two roster pieces gave the Bears more ways to extract value and created the stronger overall return.

Washington acquired halfback Julie Rykovich from the Chicago Bears on September 24, 1952 for a 1953 seventh-round draft choice. Rykovich started 21 games over two Washington seasons and produced 612 rushing yards plus 356 receiving yards.

Washington received Chicago’s 1960 second-round choice for Larry Morris and selected VMI back Sam Horner at No. 21. Horner contributed as a runner, defensive back, returner and punter in 1960-61, so the return was useful rather than wasted. Morris, however, became a long-term Bears linebacker, a key member of the 1963 championship defense and a second-team All-Pro. Chicago’s sustained defensive impact makes it the clear winner.

Chicago sent linebacker Bill Roehnelt to Washington on January 1, 1960 for a 1962 fifth-round choice that became No. 57, Mac Burton. Roehnelt immediately gave Washington 12 games and nine starts in 1960. Chicago used the acquired pick on Burton, but he never played an NFL regular-season game and instead continued his career in Canada. Washington therefore received the clear direct return and keeps the historical win.

Washington acquired receiver Angelo Coia and defensive tackle Fred Williams from Chicago for its 1965 first-round pick, which became No. 6 overall Steve DeLong. Coia immediately started 13 games and posted 500 receiving yards with five touchdowns in 1964, while Williams joined the defensive rotation. DeLong signed with the rival AFL Chargers and did not play for Chicago until 1972. Washington therefore realized the stronger immediate and team-specific return.

On July 1, 1964, the Chicago Bears sent defensive back Tommy Neck to the Washington Redskins for exactly $1. Neck had appeared in one NFL game for Chicago in 1962 and did not record another NFL appearance after the deal. Washington bought a virtually cost-free look, while Chicago received only nominal consideration, leaving little hindsight separation between the clubs.

Chicago Bears received 1966 sixth round pick (#85-Dennis Brewster), while Washington Commanders received Steve Barnett. Washington received tackle Steve Barnett and Chicago received the 1966 sixth-round pick used on Dennis Brewster. Barnett gave Washington immediate line help in 1964, while the later draft selection did not generate a stronger documented professional return for Chicago. That outcome supports a C+ grade for Chicago Bears, a B- for Washington Commanders, and a Washington Commanders Win verdict.

Chicago received Riley Mattson and Fred Hageman in the four-player swap. Neither acquisition produced a comparable post-trade return to what Bob Jencks supplied Washington, leaving the Bears with the weaker realized side of an otherwise straightforward veteran exchange. That outcome supports a D+ grade for Chicago Bears within the final Washington Redskins Win verdict.

Chicago Bears received George Seals in the exchange with Washington. George Seals became a long-term Chicago lineman, staying seven seasons, appearing in 98 games and earning second-team All-Pro recognition in 1968. That durability and peak performance gave the Bears clear realized value from a modest veteran exchange. In hindsight, that direct outcome supports a B+ grade for Chicago Bears. The judgment focuses on what this transaction itself produced rather than unrelated later moves.

Chicago Bears received Johnny Sample, while Washington Commanders received 1967 tenth round pick (#247-Tim Houlton). Washington sent Johnny Sample to Chicago for its 1967 tenth-round choice, later No. 247 Tim Houlton. Historical sources differ by one day on the transaction date, but neither Sample in Chicago nor Houlton from the pick created meaningful regular-season value. Chicago Bears earns a D grade, and the overall verdict is Even Trade.

Chicago Bears received John Paluck in the exchange with Washington. The return is graded C after weighing the transaction cost and the practical value visible in hindsight. The grade remains tied to documented value for the acquiring club, without assigning credit for unresolved or hypothetical downstream consideration.

Chicago sent running back Mike Hull to Washington for tackle Steve Wright and running back Danny Pierce on August 31, 1971. Wright immediately started all 14 games at right tackle for the Bears; Pierce did not play for Chicago. Hull spent four seasons with Washington but never started and had only four rushing attempts. Chicago received the more meaningful post-trade role.

Washington acquired Willie Holman plus Chicago's 1975 fifth-round pick while sending the Bears a 1974 third-rounder. That fifth-round choice became running back Mike Thomas, the 1975 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year and a 1976 Pro Bowler who rushed for more than 4,000 career yards. Chicago's pick became Cliff Taylor, whose NFL impact was minimal, making Washington the decisive winner.

Chicago acquired Ted Vactor from Washington for a 1976 tenth-round selection. Vactor appeared in four regular-season games for the Bears in 1975, providing modest veteran secondary depth. Washington used No. 272 on Paul Strohmeier, but the pick did not become an NFL regular-season contributor. The scale of the trade was tiny, yet Chicago received the only measurable post-trade football value, producing a narrow Bears win rather than a major success.

Washington moved up to No. 7 in the 1999 draft and selected Champ Bailey, while Chicago received No. 12 plus four additional picks. The Bears turned that volume into Cade McNown, D'Wayne Bates, Warrick Holdman, Jerry Wisne and Dustin Lyman. Bailey became a Hall of Fame cornerback, giving Washington overwhelming star value despite Chicago's much larger collection of selections.

Chicago Bears received Bryan Johnson in the exchange with Washington Commanders. Johnson appeared in 19 Bears games over 2004 and 2005 and scored two receiving touchdowns in his first Chicago season. He gave the Bears usable fullback depth across parts of two years. The B- grade reflects the direct value Chicago Bears realized from the deal, while the Chicago Bears Win call weighs actual regular-season service and clearly connected draft value rather than name recognition alone.

Chicago Bears received Adam Archuleta in the exchange with Washington Commanders. Archuleta played 15 games with 10 starts for Chicago in 2007, totaling 61 tackles, two sacks and an interception. The Bears received a meaningful season of defensive snaps from the veteran. The B- grade reflects the direct value Chicago Bears realized from the deal, while the Chicago Bears Win call weighs actual regular-season service and clearly connected draft value rather than name recognition alone.

Chicago moved up to No. 53 and selected Stephen Paea, who became a multi-year Bears defensive tackle and regular starter. That direct player value is the strongest realized result in the trade. The cost was Nos. 62 and 127, but Washington moved both selections again, so later players tied to those pick numbers are not counted as direct Washington returns here.

Chicago acquired Montez Sweat for the 2024 second-round pick that became No. 40. Sweat produced 21.5 sacks in 42 regular-season games for the Bears from the trade through 2025 and signed a long-term extension. Washington later packaged No. 40 with two other picks to acquire Nos. 50, 53 and 161, so those three selections cannot be credited solely to the Sweat trade. Both sides created substantial value.