Los Angeles Chargers–Washington Commanders Trade History

The Chargers moved running back Duane Thomas to Washington and received a 1975 first-round pick plus a 1976 second-round pick. The first-rounder became Mike Williams at No. 22 in 1975. Thomas had already been a prominent but volatile back, so San Diego converted a short-term asset into two future chances to replenish the roster.

The Chargers traded veteran guard Walt Sweeney to Washington for a 1974 fifth-rounder, a 1975 sixth-rounder, and a 1976 fourth-rounder. The 1976 selection is correctly No. 115 Artie Owens, not No. 110 Herb McMath. Turning one veteran into three draft assets gave the Chargers the broader long-term return and a modest hindsight edge.

Washington received safety Bryant Salter plus the 1975 eighth-round choice that became Wayne Hoffman. San Diego ultimately received a 1976 third-round pick, a 1977 second-round pick and a 1977 third-round pick after the conditional terms were settled. Salter started 13 games for Washington in 1975. Washington got a useful starter and an additional pick, but San Diego accumulated three higher future selections and later used or moved those assets in subsequent transactions. The Chargers hold a narrow value edge rather than the lopsided result the old record implied.

On 1974-08-12, Los Angeles Chargers received 1977 third round pick (#77-Keith King), while Washington Commanders received Deacon Jones and 1975 eighth round pick (#189-Wayne Hoffman). The final verdict is Washington Redskins/Commanders Win, with Los Angeles Chargers graded C and Washington Commanders graded B. 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. Both sides have identifiable consideration, allowing the hindsight grade to focus on what those assets actually became.

Los Angeles Chargers received Mike Thomas in the exchange with Washington Commanders. Thomas played 24 Chargers games with 14 starts over two seasons, producing 837 rushing yards, 606 receiving yards and four rushing touchdowns. San Diego received substantial offensive production from the veteran. The B+ grade reflects the direct value Los Angeles Chargers realized from the deal, while the Los Angeles Chargers Win call weighs actual regular-season service and clearly connected draft value rather than name recognition alone.

The Chargers acquired Jeff Williams from Washington in exchange for Wilbur Young on May 15, 1981. The verified package was a clean two-player swap, not a deal involving extra consideration. Los Angeles received the stronger realized return, while Washington's side produced less lasting value. The Chargers therefore deserve the win once the transaction identifiers are cleaned up around the correct package.

San Diego sent Washington its 1989 twelfth-round selection, No. 316, which became Jimmie Johnson, and received Washington's 1990 twelfth-round choice, No. 326, later used on Elliott Searcy. The trade was essentially a one-year shift of very late draft capital. Washington received the earlier opportunity and extracted the slightly better practical value, while San Diego's deferred selection did not create a stronger NFL return.

Washington acquired punter Ralf Mojsiejenko from San Diego for a 1990 seventh-round pick that became No. 187, Nate Lewis. Contemporary reporting supports an August 29 agreement, while the league transaction log shows August 30. Washington solved a specialist need cheaply, but the Chargers converted the move into a future selection and receive the slight value edge.

San Diego sent Washington a 1992 first-round pick that became No. 6 overall and received No. 47 Eric Moten plus a 1992 fifth-round selection. Moten became a durable Chargers starter, while Washington turned the premium pick into leverage for another move up the 1992 board. Both clubs created meaningful value, even though Washington's later conversion carried mixed results.

Los Angeles Chargers received Stan Humphries from Washington Commanders in the 1992-08-13 trade. The Chargers acquired Stan Humphries, who immediately became their starting quarterback. Washington Commanders's return was 1993 conditional fourth round pick (later increased to third) (#80-Ed Bunn). Washington's conditional pick escalated to a third-rounder and became punter Ed Bunn at No. 80. Those realized outcomes, rather than the labels on the assets alone, drive the hindsight grade.