Detroit Lions–Pittsburgh Steelers Trade History

Detroit agreed to acquire Bill Patterson from Pittsburgh on February 1, 1939, with Vern Huffman and Ace Gutowsky going to the Pirates. The exchange did not stand: a February 12 transaction entry records the deal as canceled, with Patterson returning to Pittsburgh and the rights to Dick Nardi added as compensation. The C grade reflects a deal that produced no lasting original exchange.

Detroit Lions received cash. Detroit received cash rather than a player or draft choice, so there is no downstream football asset to evaluate beyond the sale itself. That result supports a C+ for Detroit Lions. The overall comparison is balanced because neither side created a clear enough edge to separate the grades. The grade reflects the realized player service and draft value tied directly to this transaction, without assigning extra credit for outcomes that cannot be traced confidently to the exchanged assets.

Detroit acquired reigning star Bill Dudley and tackle Jack Dugger from Pittsburgh. The Lions surrendered Bob Cifers, Paul White, the rights to Bob Chappuis, and their 1948 first-round choice, which became No. 3 overall Bobby Layne. Dudley and Dugger both contributed in Detroit, so the Lions received genuine immediate value, but the broad package they paid keeps their grade just below Pittsburgh's despite Pittsburgh's later handling of the Layne rights.

Detroit Lions received Dick Modzelewski. Detroit acquired Dick Modzelewski but quickly moved him to the Giants for Ray Krouse. That downstream trade produced real Lions value: Krouse started all 12 games for Detroit in both 1956 and 1957. Detroit therefore converted the incoming player into two seasons of full-time starting defensive-line service.

Pittsburgh acquired rookies Dave Liddick and Jack Kemp from Detroit on September 12, 1957 for a 1958 draft choice whose exact selection remains disputed in the surviving transaction record. Liddick played 10 games with three starts for Pittsburgh that season, while Kemp appeared in nine games. The precise player Detroit ultimately obtained from the pick is not resolved.

Pittsburgh acquired Bobby Layne early in the 1958 season for Earl Morrall, a 1959 second-round pick, and a 1960 fourth-round pick. Layne immediately helped turn an 0-2 start into a 7-4-1 finish and remained the Steelers' primary quarterback through 1962. The deal delivered the established champion and future Hall of Famer Buddy Parker wanted, giving Pittsburgh several winning seasons and a new level of credibility at quarterback.

Pittsburgh acquired fullback John Henry Johnson from Detroit in April 1960 for two draft selections that the Lions used on Dick Mills in 1961 and John Lomakoski in 1962. Johnson enjoyed the best stretch of his Hall of Fame career with the Steelers, becoming the franchise's first 1,000-yard rusher and making three Pro Bowls. Detroit's two picks produced little comparable impact.

Detroit Lions received 1965 fourth round pick (#46-Tommy Myers) in the exchange with Pittsburgh Steelers. The historical record shows how the player service and draft value developed after the deal, with the comparison favoring Pittsburgh Steelers. That result supports a D for Detroit Lions. The grade reflects the less valuable realized return and keeps the judgment proportional to the documented value produced by this transaction.

Pittsburgh acquired John Hilton and Pat Batten from Detroit on August 23, 1965 for the Steelers' 1966 fifth-round selection, No. 67. Hilton became the real prize, playing five seasons for Pittsburgh and producing 108 receptions for 1,494 yards and 10 touchdowns from 1965 through 1969. Batten was released before the regular season.

Detroit Lions received Roger Pillath in the 1967-08-23 exchange with Pittsburgh Steelers. Pillath has no recorded Detroit regular-season service after the exchange, leaving the Lions without a meaningful on-field return. Against Pittsburgh Steelers' return of Jerry Mazzanti, that outcome supports a D+ grade. The transaction is judged Pittsburgh Steelers Win, with the mark tied to the football value that actually followed from the deal.

Pittsburgh acquired Wally Hilgenberg from Detroit for John Baker on January 28, 1968. Hilgenberg never played for Pittsburgh, while Baker appeared for Detroit in 1968, leaving Detroit with the only direct on-field return. In hindsight, the grades are B- for Detroit Lions and D+ for Pittsburgh Steelers, producing a Detroit Lions Win verdict. The modest scoring reflects the limited scale of the transaction.

Detroit Lions: Detroit received McMakin, but his Lions tenure was brief and did not create lasting value from the trade. The D+ grade reflects only value tied directly to this transaction, including production or draft value the club itself controlled. Against Pittsburgh Steelers, that supported return leads to the final verdict of Pittsburgh Steelers Win.

Detroit Lions received Jimmy Allen, while Pittsburgh Steelers received a 1979 fourth-round pick that became No. 86 Russell Davis. Allen became a 58-game starter with 24 interceptions for Detroit, far outpacing the value Pittsburgh received from fourth-round pick Russell Davis. The hindsight grades are A- for Detroit Lions and C- for Pittsburgh Steelers, producing a Detroit Lions Win verdict.