Los Angeles Chargers–New England Patriots Trade History

Boston traded the AFL rights to tackle Ron Mix to the Los Angeles Chargers for quarterback Tom Greene. Mix became a nine-time All-AFL selection, helped the Chargers win the 1963 AFL championship and entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Greene played only 11 professional games with two starts, creating one of the largest possible gaps in realized value.

Los Angeles Chargers received Tom Greene. The locked Wave 209 research supports the D grade after comparing the direct production and draft value attributable to this transaction. The evaluation excludes unrelated later moves and unsupported assumptions. Against New England Patriots, that documented return supports the final verdict of Even Trade.

Los Angeles Chargers received 1964 fifth round pick (#36-Pete Goimarac). The Chargers received the 1964 fifth-round choice used on Pete Goimarac, but the selection did not produce an AFL or NFL playing career. Hudson's limited Patriots service still exceeded the outcome of a Chargers draft pick that produced no professional playing return. That outcome supports a D+ grade for Los Angeles Chargers.

San Diego moved Jim Schmedding to New England and received the Patriots' 1972 sixth-round choice, although the exact selection cannot be identified confidently. Schmedding's recorded NFL playing career ended after his 1970 Chargers season, so New England did not receive a regular-season payoff from the acquisition. Even without a traced downstream pick, San Diego retained the slightly better practical position.

Los Angeles Chargers received Eddie Ray. Eddie Ray appeared only briefly for the Chargers after the trade, so Los Angeles received little durable value from the player side of the exchange. That result supports a D+ grade for Los Angeles Chargers. The final verdict is New England Patriots Win, based on the documented service, durability, and value each club actually obtained from this exchange.

The Chargers received Ed Philpott, but he did not appear on San Diego's 1972 or 1973 regular-season rosters. The player therefore produced little direct football value for the club after the exchange. That outcome supports a D+ grade within the Even Trade verdict. The grade reflects realized football value rather than the size of the original package.

San Diego acquired defensive lineman Dave Rowe from New England in August 1974 for a 1975 sixth-round pick that became No. 150, Charles Miller. Older source wording attached confusing provenance to the selection, but the direct compensation is identifiable. The Chargers gained veteran line help, while New England converted Rowe into future draft capital and receives the slight value edge.

Los Angeles Chargers: San Diego converted the pick into Woodrow Lowe, who became a long-term Chargers linebacker and supplied years of dependable defensive production. The A grade reflects only value tied directly to this transaction, including production or draft value the club itself controlled. Against New England Patriots, that supported return leads to the final verdict of Los Angeles Chargers Win.

San Diego acquired veteran safety Tim Fox from New England on April 27, 1982 and received three useful seasons, including seven interceptions in 30 games with the Chargers. The Patriots turned Fox into second-rounder Robert Weathers and a 1983 third-rounder used on tackle Steve Moore. Weathers contributed 1,001 yards from scrimmage and Moore eventually started 31 games, giving New England the broader long-term return.

San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers received Vencie Glenn in the 1986-09-29 exchange involving New England Patriots. Glenn became a long-term Chargers starter and productive defensive back, giving San Diego substantial value from the player side of the exchange. That realized return supports a A- grade for San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers. The overall verdict is Even Trade, with the grade based on direct value created from this transaction.

San Diego traded linebacker Thomas Benson to New England for a 1989 seventh-round pick, then used No. 183 on running back Marion Butts. Benson appeared in 12 games for the Patriots in 1988, but Butts became a two-time Pro Bowler and rushed for 5,185 career yards, including 1,225 in 1990. Turning a departing veteran into a multiyear featured back made this an outstanding piece of late-round value for the Chargers.

San Diego used the acquired fifth-round pick on defensive back Floyd Fields. Fields appeared in 30 games and made 16 starts for the Chargers, giving the club a meaningful secondary role from the selection. That starting workload stands out as the strongest direct contribution created by the trade and gives San Diego a modest advantage over New England's two-player draft return.

San Diego acquired No. 99 and selected Lewis Bush. Bush became a long-term Chargers linebacker and substantial starter, giving the club sustained defensive value from a fourth-round move. His longevity and role clearly exceed the combined Patriots return, making the Chargers the stronger side even though New England did receive some legitimate service from Corwin Brown.

Los Angeles Chargers received 1994 3rd round pick (70th overall, Andre Coleman) and 1994 5th round pick (137th overall, Aaron Laing). Andre Coleman became the most durable direct Chargers return and provided several seasons of useful value, while Aaron Laing did not materially change the outcome. Compared with New England Patriots' return, the result supports a B+ grade and fits the Los Angeles Chargers Win verdict.

Los Angeles Chargers received 2001 4th round pick (112th overall, Carlos Polk) and 2001 5th round pick (139th overall, Zeke Moreno) in the 2001-04-22 exchange with New England Patriots. Carlos Polk and Zeke Moreno both supplied useful Chargers depth, giving San Diego two contributors from the direct return. The direct package, rather than later movement of any acquired asset, is the basis for the hindsight judgment. Against what Los Angeles Chargers surrendered, the result supports Los Angeles Chargers Win.

Los Angeles Chargers received 2008 3rd round pick (69th overall, Jacob Hester) in the 2008-04-27 exchange with New England Patriots. Jacob Hester became a useful role player for San Diego, but the cost included meaningful future draft capital. The direct package, rather than later movement of any acquired asset, is the basis for the hindsight judgment. Against what Los Angeles Chargers surrendered, the result supports New England Patriots Win.

The Chargers traded picks 37 and 71 to New England for No. 23 in the 2020 draft and selected linebacker Kenneth Murray. Murray became a multi-year starter, but Los Angeles declined his fifth-year option and he left after four seasons. New England selected safety Kyle Dugger at 37 and later moved pick 71. Dugger became a long-term defensive playmaker and earned a four-year extension, giving the Patriots the better return.

Los Angeles Chargers received 2025 6th round pick (181st overall; subsequently traded by Los Angeles) in the 2023-10-04 exchange with New England Patriots. Los Angeles moved on from an expensive cornerback situation and gained the better 2025 draft position, creating a modest practical benefit despite dead money. The direct return and the football value it produced drive the hindsight judgment. Against the assets Los Angeles Chargers surrendered, the result supports Los Angeles Chargers Win and a B- grade for Los Angeles Chargers.

Los Angeles moved up three spots in the 2024 second round for Ladd McConkey and also received fifth-round cornerback Tarheeb Still, while New England took Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker. McConkey has produced 1,938 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns through two seasons, and Still has become a regular starter with four career interceptions. The Patriots’ two receivers have not approached that impact, making this a clear Chargers win.

Los Angeles moved down from No. 55 to No. 63 in the 2026 draft and added Nos. 131 and 202. Those selections became Jake Slaughter, Genesis Smith and Logan Taylor, while New England used No. 55 on Gabe Jacas. The Chargers gained three swings for one, but none of the players has completed an NFL regular season, leaving the long-term result appropriately even for now.