Green Bay closed the Bobby Thomason experiment on December…
Green Bay closed the Bobby Thomason experiment on December 27, 1951, returning the quarterback to Los Angeles instead of surrendering its 1952 first- and second-round selections under the conditional agreement. Thomason had helped the Packers for one season, but the club ultimately kept both premium choices. That combination of useful short-term quarterback play and preserved draft capital gives Green Bay the better outcome.
Green Bay Packers Received
- pick retained 1952 first-round pick (condition not exercised)
- pick retained 1952 second-round pick (condition not exercised)
Los Angeles Rams Received
- player Bobby Thomason
Trade Analysis
A One-Year Look-See
Bobby Thomason reached Green Bay in the summer of 1951 under an unusual conditional arrangement with Los Angeles. The Packers needed quarterback help, while the Rams already had Bob Waterfield and Norm Van Brocklin. Green Bay got to use Thomason for the season before deciding whether the price for keeping him was worth paying.
The Price Became Too High
Packers histories describe the eventual price as Green Bay’s first- and second-round selections in the 1952 draft if Thomason remained with the club. Thomason appeared in 11 games for Green Bay and gave the offense useful depth, but coach Gene Ronzani ultimately chose not to sacrifice both premium choices. On December 27, the Packers returned him to Los Angeles and the condition was not exercised.
What Green Bay Preserved
That decision mattered because Green Bay retained draft capital that became far more valuable than another season of Thomason. Packers historical accounts connect those top choices to Babe Parilli and Billy Howton, while Thomason went back to the Rams and was soon traded to Philadelphia. He later had productive seasons with the Eagles, so Los Angeles did recover a movable player, but the Rams did not collect the two picks originally contemplated.
Why the Verdict Favors Green Bay
This was not a conventional swap in which the Packers literally received draft picks from Los Angeles. The football value was Green Bay’s temporary use of Thomason plus the decision to retain its own first- and second-round choices when the conditional price came due. Los Angeles got the player back, which keeps its grade respectable, but Green Bay controlled the option and avoided an expensive permanent commitment.
Final Verdict
Green Bay earns the win. One season of quarterback help followed by retention of both premium 1952 selections was a favorable outcome, while Los Angeles recovered Thomason but missed the larger draft return it could have received if the condition had been exercised.