Dallas Cowboys–Washington Commanders Trade History

Dallas acquired the rights to veteran quarterback Eddie LeBaron from Washington for its 1961 first- and sixth-round picks. The first became No. 2 overall quarterback Norm Snead, while the sixth became Joe Krakoski. LeBaron gave the expansion Cowboys needed stability and a 1962 Pro Bowl season, but Washington received premium draft capital and a long-term starting quarterback, producing the stronger overall return.

Washington's 1966 deal with Dallas ultimately brought Brig Owens, Mitch Johnson and Jake Kupp in exchange for Jim Steffen and a 1967 fifth-round pick used on Willie Parker. Owens became the defining piece, spending 12 seasons in Washington and recording 36 interceptions. Dallas received legitimate consideration, but nothing in its return approached Owens' sustained impact, leaving Washington with the clear advantage in hindsight.

Washington completed a multi-player trade with Dallas on August 30, 1966, acquiring Brig Owens, Mitch Johnson and Jake Kupp for veteran defensive back Jim Steffen and Washington's 1967 fifth-round pick. Owens became the centerpiece: he played 12 seasons for Washington, intercepted 36 passes and started 124 games. Johnson also started all 14 games in 1966, while Kupp appeared in all 14 before the 1967 expansion draft.

Dallas Cowboys received cash 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.

Washington acquired veteran safety Mike Gaechter from Dallas on July 20, 1971 for conditional draft compensation. Gaechter had missed the 1970 season after an Achilles injury and was released by Washington on August 11 before appearing in a regular-season game. The conditional pick was not exercised, leaving neither club with realized regular-season value.

Dallas acquired defensive tackle Dean Hamel from Washington on August 29, 1989 for a conditional 1990 draft choice that ultimately became the fifth-round No. 110 pick. Hamel stepped into the Cowboys lineup and supplied immediate defensive value. Washington later moved No. 110 in a separate draft-day deal, so the most tangible direct return from the original transaction belonged to Dallas.

Washington moved up from No. 20 to No. 17 in the 1991 first round and selected defensive tackle Bobby Wilson, sending Dallas No. 20 and fifth-round pick No. 132. Wilson gave Washington useful starting and rotational work, but Dallas immediately turned the 20th selection into another trade that helped produce Dixon Edwards and additional draft capital.

Dallas sent the newly acquired Nos. 47 and 74 picks to Washington for Nos. 56 and 58 during the 1992 draft. Washington selected Shane Collins and Paul Siever. Dallas selected Clayton Holmes at No. 58 and traded No. 56 to Detroit for three later choices. The Cowboys win because their two incoming assets created more useful team-specific value, not because Jason Hanson's Detroit career belongs to Dallas.

Washington traded picks 37 and 67 to Dallas in 1996 to move into the first round at No. 30 and select Penn State tackle Andre Johnson. Johnson never played a regular-season game for Washington and appeared in only three NFL games. Dallas drafted defensive end Kavika Pittman and center Clay Shiver, both multi-year contributors, making the Cowboys the overwhelming winner despite neither becoming a star.

Dallas sent second- and third-round selections to Washington to move up for DeMarcus Lawrence. Lawrence became a four-time Pro Bowler and a decade-long defensive cornerstone for the Cowboys. Washington used the return on Trent Murphy and Spencer Long, both of whom became legitimate NFL starters. The two-player return was useful, but Lawrence developed into the transaction's most accomplished team-specific contributor.