Detroit Lions–Kansas City Chiefs Trade History

On 1975-07-16, Detroit Lions received Bob Thornbladh, while Kansas City Chiefs received undisclosed future draft pick (selection not identified). The final verdict is Even Trade, with Detroit Lions graded C and Kansas City Chiefs graded C. The hindsight view follows the documented consideration and later traceable value without treating every named pick outcome as if it had been directly exchanged on trade day. Any conditional, undisclosed, or unidentified component is credited only to the extent that the surviving evidence establishes it.

Detroit acquired John Brockington from Kansas City for Eddie Payton on August 16, 1978. Brockington never played a regular-season game for Detroit, while Payton returned kicks and punts in all 14 games for Kansas City. In hindsight, the grades are D+ for Detroit Lions and B for Kansas City Chiefs, producing a Kansas City Chiefs Win verdict. The modest scoring reflects the limited scale of the transaction.

Detroit received 1980 fifth- and ninth-round selections from Kansas City for center Larry Tearry, with the picks becoming Tom Ginn at No. 120 and Tom Tuinei at No. 223. Tearry was released by the Chiefs before the 1980 regular season, leaving Kansas City without game production from its acquisition. Ginn and Tuinei both appeared for Detroit, giving the Lions modest but real value from two late choices and the better side of the trade.

Detroit traded veteran safety Jimmy Allen to Kansas City for a conditional 1983 draft choice whose round depended on Allen's playing time. Allen was found to have an irregular heartbeat and never played a regular-season game for the Chiefs; historical research states Kansas City kept the pick, so Detroit received no draft asset. With neither side realizing football value, this finishes as a low-impact even trade.

Kansas City moved from No. 3 to No. 2 and selected Neil Smith, who became a six-time Pro Bowler and one of the franchise's great pass rushers. Detroit moved down one spot and selected Bennie Blades, then used the added second-round pick on Chris Spielman. The Lions received two foundational defenders, but the Chiefs also landed an excellent player.

Kansas City acquired safety William White from Detroit in July 1994 for a conditional 1996 third-round pick that became No. 91. White started 14 games for the Chiefs in his first season and remained with the club for three years. Detroit later paired No. 91 with its first-round pick to move up for Reggie Brown. Both sides found value, but Kansas City's direct veteran production earns a slight edge.

Detroit moved up six spots for Virginia Tech running back Kevin Jones, sending Kansas City second- and fourth-round picks. Jones rushed for 1,133 yards as a rookie and totaled more than 3,000 rushing yards in four Lions seasons before knee and foot injuries shortened his peak. He gave Detroit the best player in the exchange, while Kansas City's two selections produced role-player value rather than a comparable centerpiece.

Kansas City moved from No. 17 to No. 15 in 2008 and also received pick 76, selecting tackle Branden Albert and tight end Brad Cottam. Albert became a six-year Chiefs starter and Pro Bowler before Kansas City later traded him to Miami. Detroit took tackle Gosder Cherilus at No. 17 and also received later selections, producing solid value on both sides but leaving Kansas City with the best player in the exchange.

Kansas City moved from No. 63 to No. 55 in 2023 for Rashee Rice and also received pick 194, used on Keondre Coburn. Rice has 156 catches for 1,797 yards and 14 touchdowns in 28 regular-season games and was a major contributor to the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LVIII run. Detroit received three picks and moved them again in later transactions, but Kansas City obtained the clear impact player from the exchange.