Indianapolis Colts–Washington Commanders Trade History

Baltimore sent guard Hanson Churchwell to Washington for a future draft choice that became the 1960 tenth-round selection at No. 112, used on Ernie Barnes. Barnes did not provide on-field value for the Colts, while Churchwell played 10 games with two starts for Washington before being released. Surviving sources disagree on whether the transaction occurred September 18 or September 22, so that date conflict remains explicit.

Baltimore's historical ledger records the Colts acquiring linebacker Tom Gunderman from Washington in exchange for Vince Scott. The substance of that player swap is supportable, but surviving contemporary records leave the exact execution date and parts of Scott's identity uncertain. No securely documented long-term contribution creates a clear value separation, so Baltimore's return should be described without adding precision the surviving record does not provide.

The legacy record lists Baltimore Colts receiving Gary Glick and Washington Redskins receiving 1962 sixth round pick (probably #79-John Sutro), but part of that date, identity, or downstream attribution remains disputed in the surviving historical record. The Colts historical ledger records Baltimore sending a 1962 sixth-round choice to Washington for defensive back Gary Glick. Glick then appeared in 11 games for Baltimore in 1961 and intercepted four passes. The exact downstream identity of Washington draft asset remains conflicted, so Baltimore receives a modest edge for the player value

Baltimore Colts received 1965 fourth round pick (#49-Marty Schottenheimer), while Washington Redskins received J.W. Lockett. Baltimore sent J.W. Lockett to Washington for the 1965 fourth-round choice that became No. 49 Marty Schottenheimer. Lockett played all 14 games for Washington in 1964, producing 175 rushing yards, 204 receiving yards and three touchdowns, while Schottenheimer signed with Buffalo rather than Baltimore. Washington received the clearer realized football value. From Baltimore Colts perspective, the grade is based on realized player or draft value that can actually be documented, not on an

Washington acquired veteran Jim Martin from Baltimore on September 8, 1964, sending the Colts a 1965 20th-round choice that became No. 273 Ray Johnson. Martin handled Washington's kicking duties for all 14 games in 1964 and scored 71 points, while Johnson never appeared in an NFL regular-season game. The return was short-lived but clearly tangible, supporting Washington's existing win with conservative grades.

Baltimore received Bill Hunter and a 1967 ninth-round pick from Washington in exchange for Tom Carr, Ken Duke, Roland Rogers, and Dave Hayes. The exact ninth-round selection is not securely identified in the surviving record, and no downstream outcome clearly separates the clubs. Baltimore gained a player plus late draft capital, but the available evidence supports only a modest return.

Baltimore sent running back Jerry Allen to Washington in August 1967 for a 1968 tenth-round pick and a 1969 fourth-round pick. The first became defensive back Ocie Austin, who played 28 games for the Colts over two seasons; the later choice became Jacky Stewart. Baltimore received usable depth and two selections, but Allen immediately became a Washington starter and generated the stronger direct production.

Baltimore sent linebacker Dennis Gaubatz to Washington for defensive lineman Frank Bosch and the 1970 fourth-round pick used on Steve Smear. Bosch did not survive the Colts’ final cuts and returned to Washington on waivers, while Smear chose the CFL and never played for Baltimore. Gaubatz retired before providing Washington regular-season value. The Colts acquired two assets, but neither produced an NFL return, leaving the deal effectively even.

Baltimore traded linebacker Bob Grant to Washington in July 1971 and received second- and seventh-round selections in the 1972 draft. The Colts used those picks on wide receiver Glenn Doughty at No. 47 and defensive end John Sykes at No. 169. Doughty developed into a useful receiver and returner, giving Baltimore the most durable team-specific contribution from the exchange.

Washington acquired proven receiver Roy Jefferson plus ninth-round selections in 1973 and 1974, sending Baltimore rookie Cotton Speyrer and its 1973 first-round choice. Jefferson immediately became Washington’s leading receiver and remained productive for six seasons, including the 1972 Super Bowl run. Baltimore received flashes from Speyrer and converted the first-rounder into later trade value, but never matched Jefferson’s sustained impact.

Baltimore sent veteran defensive tackle Fred Miller to Washington in February 1973 and received a 1974 tenth-round draft choice. Colts history supports the round and year of the return, but the eventual player tied to that selection cannot be established confidently. Miller retired before appearing in a regular-season game for Washington, leaving Baltimore with a future draft asset from a veteran whose playing career had effectively ended.

Washington acquired guard Cornelius Johnson and a 1975 seventeenth-round selection from Baltimore for running back George Nock and 1974 seventeenth-round No. 436 Buzzy Lewis. Nock never became a Colts contributor, while the late-round assets and Johnson produced little durable separation. The modest, low-leverage returns support an even grade once the distinct Ed Mooney transaction is kept separate.

Baltimore sent Cotton Speyrer and Glenn Ressler to Washington for a 1975 twelfth-round choice used on Brad Storm and a 1976 sixteenth-round choice used on Mike Fuhrman. Neither side turned the exchange into lasting direct value: Ressler’s NFL career had already ended, Speyrer did not become a Washington regular, and neither Colts pick produced an NFL career.

Baltimore acquired return specialist Herb Mul-Key from Washington for a 1977 fourth-round selection, but Mul-Key never produced a regular-season contribution for the Colts. Washington later packaged that pick with Charley Harraway's rights for tight end Marv Fleming, who also failed to make Washington's roster. Neither branch of the exchange generated durable team-specific football value.

Baltimore agreed in August 1975 to send tackle Dennis Nelson to Washington for a multi-pick package, but Nelson never reported to the Redskins. Contemporary Philadelphia material and later transaction records show that the deal was negated, Nelson's rights returned to the Colts, and he sat out the 1975 season. The listed draft choices therefore were not completed trade proceeds.

Baltimore acquired Washington's 1979 sixth-round selection, No. 150, and used it on Jimmy Moore. Moore did not appear in an NFL regular-season game, leaving the Colts without meaningful realized player value from the pick. Washington received wide receiver Ricky Thompson, who remained with the club for four seasons and supplied the transaction's only sustained roster contribution.

Baltimore traded running back Joe Washington to Washington for the 52nd pick in the 1981 draft. The Colts did not use that selection on Jarvis Redwine; they immediately included No. 52 in their move-up with Minnesota for No. 18. Joe Washington, meanwhile, became an immediate dual-threat contributor in Washington and gave his new team the stronger realized return.

Washington acquired veteran defensive end Fred Cook from Baltimore in July 1981 under conditional draft terms reported as a 1982 ninth-round pick and a possible 1983 sixth-rounder. Cook was released in August before making the regular-season roster, and Washington reclaimed the ninth-round choice; the playing-time condition for the later pick was not met. With no games for Washington and no realized draft return for Baltimore, the direct outcome is even.

Indianapolis acquired the rights to receiver Walter Murray from Washington on October 7, 1986, sending a 1987 second-round pick that became No. 30. Murray contributed modestly during two Colts seasons, while Washington used No. 30 on defensive back Brian Davis, who also failed to become a major long-term piece. Neither side created enough separation to claim a meaningful victory.

Indianapolis acquired Clarence Verdin from Washington on March 29, 1988 for a sixth-round pick, No. 159, later used on quarterback Stan Humphries. Verdin became a multi-year Colts receiver and return specialist, producing 437 receiving yards and four touchdowns in his first Indianapolis season. Humphries later had a strong NFL career, but Washington realized little of that success before he left the franchise.

Indianapolis sent Washington the 129th pick in the 1989 draft, used on Tim Smiley, for two 1990 choices that became Alan Grant at No. 103 and Harvey Wilson at No. 213. Grant immediately gave the Colts two full seasons, appearing in 32 games with eight starts and returning kicks. Smiley did not become an NFL regular-season contributor, giving Indianapolis the better return.

Indianapolis acquired cornerback Justin Tryon from Washington for a 2011 seventh-round pick. Tryon appeared in 12 games for the Colts in 2010, started six and recorded 44 tackles with seven passes defended before a short 2011 return. Washington used No. 224 on linebacker Markus White, who played only a handful of NFL games. Indianapolis received the more substantial contribution from a very small investment.

Indianapolis moved up four spots for offensive lineman Ben Ijalana, sending Washington picks No. 53 and No. 152. Injuries prevented Ijalana from becoming a meaningful Colts contributor. Washington repeatedly recycled both acquired choices, turning them into portions of a broader 2011 draft-day chain that produced Leonard Hankerson, DeJon Gomes, Maurice Hurt, Roy Helu and Aldrick Robinson. The volume of usable downstream value clearly exceeded Indianapolis' return.

Indianapolis traded the 26th pick in 2019 to Washington for No. 46 and a 2020 second-rounder. The Colts then moved No. 46 again, turning it into Ben Banogu and Marvell Tell, while the future choice became Michael Pittman Jr. Pittman developed into a long-term starting receiver and multiple-time 1,000-yard producer, giving Indianapolis the strongest piece of its eventual return despite Montez Sweat’s success in Washington.

Indianapolis traded Carson Wentz plus picks No. 47 and No. 240 to Washington on March 16, 2022 for picks No. 42 and No. 73 plus a conditional 2023 third-round pick. The Colts later used No. 73 on Jelani Woods and the 2023 pick became No. 79 Josh Downs, while No. 42 was included in a trade-down that helped produce three additional selections. Downs alone had 207 catches for 2,249 yards and 11 touchdowns through Week 2 of 2026, giving Indianapolis the strongest direct long-term return.