Los Angeles Chargers–Tampa Bay Buccaneers Trade History

San Diego received the future fourth-round pick used on quarterback Ed Luther. Luther spent five seasons with the Chargers, appeared in 61 games, made nine starts, and threw for 3,187 yards. That was meaningful reserve-quarterback value over an extended period, especially compared with Tampa Bay's complete lack of regular-season contribution from Booker Brown after the trade.

San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers received Charlie White in the exchange with Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Charlie White did not produce regular-season value for San Diego after the trade. Against the other side's return of 1980 tenth round pick (#275-Brett Davis), that outcome supports a C- grade. The transaction is ultimately judged as Even Trade, with the grade reflecting realized football value rather than the name or nominal value of the asset on the trade date.

San Diego acquired linebacker Dave Lewis from Tampa Bay for a 1982 third-round pick and a 1984 fourth-rounder. Lewis started four games and played nine for the Chargers in 1982 before moving on. Tampa Bay used No. 83 on defensive end John Cannon, who spent nine seasons with the Buccaneers and made 73 starts. The later pick became Michael Gunter, making Cannon the decisive return.

Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers received Ricky Bell (L.) in the exchange with Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Bell appeared in four games for San Diego and carried only twice for six yards, giving the Chargers almost no realized return. The supported hindsight grade is C. That mark reflects realized value tied directly to this transaction, with the overall result recorded as Even Trade.

San Diego acquired linebacker Dewey Selmon from Tampa Bay in March 1982 for a 1984 fourth-round pick, No. 89 Randy Robbins. Tampa Bay later moved that same selection to Denver in the Steve DeBerg trade, but the later quarterback transaction is not part of Selmon’s price. The Buccaneers retained the more flexible long-term asset and earn a modest hindsight win.

San Diego sent Jesse Bendross to Tampa Bay for a 1987 twelfth-round return, but neither side ultimately produced regular-season value from the exchange. Tampa Bay released Bendross before the 1986 season, and the 1987 draft ledger shows the Buccaneers retained their own No. 308 selection while the Chargers used only their native No. 310 slot in round 12. C grades for both teams and an Even Trade verdict fit the realized outcome.

The Chargers acquired the rights to Andy Hawkins from Tampa Bay in exchange for the 1987 sixth-round pick later used on Steve Bartalo. The supported transaction date is August 20, 1986. Hawkins appeared in 12 games with one start for San Diego, giving the Chargers some value but not enough to create a decisive advantage. A C grade fits that limited contribution.

San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers received conditional draft pick (selection not identified) from Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while Tampa Bay Buccaneers received Al Williams in the 1988-08-10 deal. Tampa Bay acquired Al Williams while the Chargers received a conditional draft choice whose final selection is not identified; the limited player impact and uncertain pick outcome support an even grade. The final grades are C for San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers and C for Tampa Bay Buccaneers, producing a verdict of Even Trade.

Tampa Bay acquired running back Gary Anderson from San Diego for a 1990 third-round pick and a conditional 1991 second-round choice that transferred after Anderson remained with the Buccaneers. The picks became Jeff Mills at No. 57 and Eric Bieniemy at No. 39. Anderson immediately produced 1,110 yards from scrimmage in 1990 and remained useful for several seasons, narrowly outweighing the Chargers' solid draft return.

San Diego acquired linebacker Kevin Murphy from Tampa Bay for a 1993 eighth-round pick that became No. 220, Darrick Branch. Murphy appeared in 14 games for the Chargers in 1992, while Branch never played an NFL regular-season game for Tampa Bay. Neither return became a franchise piece, but San Diego received actual defensive snaps from a late-summer trade whose draft cost produced no NFL contribution for the Buccaneers.

San Diego moved from No. 82 to No. 64 in the 1993 draft and selected guard Joe Cocozzo, sending Tampa Bay picks No. 82 and No. 104. Cocozzo became a legitimate NFL starter, playing 77 games with 48 starts for the Chargers. Tampa Bay, however, used the two incoming selections on John Lynch and Horace Copeland, giving the Buccaneers a far larger combined return.

Tampa Bay sent the 41st pick in the 1996 draft to San Diego and received the Chargers’ 1997 first-round selection. San Diego used No. 41 on receiver Bryan Still, while Tampa Bay’s future pick landed at No. 16 and became receiver Reidel Anthony. Neither player became a star, but Anthony produced more as an NFL receiver and the Buccaneers successfully turned a second-rounder into a future first. That asset gain gives Tampa Bay the edge.

Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers San Diego received the 1998 second-round pick at No. 59 and used it on Mikhael Ricks. Ricks supplied useful receiving production, so the Chargers did obtain real value from the exchange. The supported hindsight grade is B-. That mark weighs only value tied directly to this transaction and keeps the result proportional to the deal's cost. Against Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the final verdict is Tampa Bay Buccaneers Win.

San Diego acquired veteran left tackle Roman Oben from Tampa Bay in June 2004 for a 2005 fifth-round pick. Oben became an immediate starter on a Chargers team that surged into contention and remained an important offensive lineman into the following seasons. Tampa Bay later traded the acquired pick for Nos. 155 and 231, selecting Larry Brackins and Hamza Abdullah. The extra choices offered some value, but Oben’s starting impact gives San Diego the win.

San Diego acquired Keenan McCardell from Tampa Bay during the 2004 season for 2005 third- and sixth-round picks. McCardell immediately strengthened a rising Chargers offense and followed with a 917-yard, nine-touchdown season in 2005. Tampa Bay used the third-rounder on Chris Colmer and later traded the sixth-rounder for quarterback Luke McCown. The Buccaneers recovered some value, but McCardell’s production made San Diego the clear winner.