Cleveland Browns–Pittsburgh Steelers Trade History

Cleveland's 1955 swap of Marion Motley for Ed Modzelewski paid off quickly. Motley, already 36 and near the end of his career, lasted only seven games in Pittsburgh. Modzelewski led Cleveland with 619 rushing yards and contributed to a championship team. The difference in immediate realized value makes the Browns the clear winner, with a B+ against Pittsburgh's D+.

Cleveland Browns received Willie McClung, while Pittsburgh Steelers received Billy Reynolds. Pittsburgh acquired Billy Reynolds while Cleveland received Willie McClung. McClung became a useful Browns lineman across the 1958 and 1959 seasons, while Reynolds provided much less for Pittsburgh, making Cleveland the stronger side. Cleveland Browns earns a B grade, and the overall verdict is Cleveland Browns Win.

Cleveland sent Pittsburgh the rights to veteran end Darrel Brewster and a 1960 fifth-round choice that became Abner Haynes, receiving Pittsburgh’s 1960 second-rounder in return. The Browns used that pick on tackle Larry Stephens, who gave them two seasons before becoming part of the later Frank Ryan trade; Pittsburgh never captured Haynes’ AFL stardom.

Pittsburgh sent young quarterback Len Dawson and receiver Gern Nagler to Cleveland on New Year's Eve 1959 for defensive back Junior Wren and end Preston Carpenter. Dawson barely played for Cleveland before being released, while Nagler supplied two useful receiving seasons. Carpenter became a productive Steelers receiver and a 1962 Pro Bowler, giving Pittsburgh the better realized return despite Dawson's later Hall of Fame career elsewhere.

Cleveland acquired Charley Scales and received four seasons of useful backfield and special-teams service. Scales worked behind Jim Brown and provided depth rather than star production, but the Browns gained a real multi-year contributor from the transaction. That direct club value gives Cleveland a slight advantage over Pittsburgh's fifth-round asset, which was later moved again in a separate transaction.

Cleveland sent John Brown to Pittsburgh and received 1968 third- and tenth-round selections, used on Harry Olszewski and James Greer. Neither draft choice produced value comparable to Brown's Pittsburgh career. The Browns did recover two assets for the player, but the realized return remained limited while Brown became a regular starter for the Steelers.

Cleveland acquired quarterback Bill Nelsen and Jim Bradshaw from Pittsburgh for Dick Shiner, Frank Parker and future draft consideration strongly linked to 1969 second-round No. 42 Warren Bankston. Nelsen immediately became a successful Browns starter and earned a 1969 Pro Bowl selection, giving Cleveland the transaction's clearest impact despite Pittsburgh receiving multiple useful assets.

Pittsburgh traded a future 2014 third-round pick to Cleveland to move into the 2013 fourth round for safety Shamarko Thomas at No. 111. Thomas spent four seasons with the Steelers but started only twice. Cleveland later used the No. 83 choice as part of its move up for Johnny Manziel, leaving neither side with a durable win from the original exchange.

Cleveland Browns received 2018 6th round pick (202nd overall subsequently traded, Jack Cichy) from Pittsburgh Steelers, giving up Justin Gilbert. Gilbert provided very limited value in Pittsburgh, while Cleveland kept the future pick. The return supports a B grade because the value directly tied to this deal fits that mark. The final verdict is Cleveland Browns Win.

Pittsburgh sent Sammie Coates and a 2019 seventh-round pick to Cleveland on September 2, 2017 for Cleveland's 2018 sixth-round pick, the same selection Pittsburgh had previously sent away in the Justin Gilbert deal. Coates produced only 70 receiving yards for Cleveland in 2017, while the exchanged draft choices were later moved again before other clubs used them.