Cleveland Browns–Seattle Seahawks Trade History

On 1976-09-07, Cleveland Browns received Terry Brown, while Seattle Seahawks received Ted Bachman. The hindsight verdict is Even Trade, with Cleveland Browns graded C and Seattle Seahawks graded C. The evaluation credits only the consideration that can be traced confidently and keeps uncertain pick details out of the final judgment.

Seattle traded the rights to defensive lineman Sam Clancy to Cleveland on August 27, 1985 for a 1986 seventh-round pick, later used on running back Paul Miles at No. 181. Clancy became a multi-year Browns contributor and recorded 14 sacks from 1985 through 1988. Miles did not generate comparable NFL value, making Cleveland the clear winner of the exchange.

Seattle acquired defensive lineman Bob Buczkowski from Cleveland for a 1991 ninth-round pick, No. 239. Cleveland used the selection on Wyoming receiver Shawn Wiggins. Buczkowski had played 15 games for the Browns in 1990 but did not record a regular-season appearance for Seattle, while Wiggins never became a meaningful Browns contributor. With neither return producing sustained NFL value, the trade lands squarely in low-impact territory.

Seattle combined two sixth-round choices to move up for Tennessee cornerback Steve Johnson in the 1999 draft. Johnson did not make the Seahawks' regular-season roster, leaving the team without a lasting playing return from the move. The modest cost limits the damage, but the higher selection did not solve a roster need.

Seattle moved veteran backup quarterback Trent Dilfer to Cleveland for the 126th pick in the 2005 draft. The Browns received 11 starts from Dilfer, but Seattle later combined pick No. 126 with Nos. 54 and 121 to move up for linebacker Lofa Tatupu. Because that choice helped produce a cornerstone defender for the Seahawks' Super Bowl team, Seattle owns the stronger long-term return.

Cleveland sent quarterback Charlie Frye to Seattle on September 11, 2007 for the Seahawks' 2008 sixth-round pick, No. 190 overall. The Browns used that selection on defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin, who became a long-term starter and appeared in 99 regular-season games for Cleveland. Turning a displaced quarterback into Rubin gave the Browns an unusually strong return from a sixth-round trade asset.

Cleveland acquired quarterback Seneca Wallace from Seattle for a conditional 2011 draft choice that became the seventh-round pick at No. 209. Wallace gave the Browns seven starts across 2010 and 2011 and provided competent backup play. Seattle later included No. 209 in a larger draft-day package with Detroit, so the pick had trade utility, but its downstream value cannot be credited entirely to this one transaction.

Cleveland reacquired center Nick Harris from Seattle in August 2024 and also received a 2026 seventh-round pick, while the Seahawks received a 2026 sixth-rounder. Harris provided some short-term depth before injury, and the draft choices only recently resolved into later player and trade value. Neither side has produced enough separation to justify a winner, making an even C+/C+ the fairest current grade.

Cleveland received 2025 5th round pick (144th overall, Shedeur Sanders), while Seattle received 2025 5th round pick (166th overall, Tory Horton), 2025 6th round pick (192nd overall, Bryce Cabeldue). The hindsight grades are C for Cleveland and C for Seattle. The Even Trade verdict is grounded in the actual starts, production, tenure and downstream draft results produced by those assets.

Cleveland received Seattle's 2027 fourth-round pick, while Seattle moved to No. 148 in the 2026 draft and selected Iowa guard Beau Stephens. Stephens' NFL career is only beginning, and Cleveland's acquired selection remains a future asset. With neither side yet holding a mature outcome, the trade is graded C/C and Even Trade.