Chicago acquired defensive end Doug Atkins and safety Ken…
Chicago acquired defensive end Doug Atkins and safety Ken Gorgal from Cleveland before the 1955 season for third- and sixth-round picks in the 1956 draft. Cleveland used those selections on Larry Ross at No. 34 and Sherman Plunkett at No. 71. Atkins became a Hall of Famer and longtime Bears star, creating a major value advantage for Chicago.
Chicago Bears Received
- player Doug Atkins
- player Ken Gorgal
Cleveland Browns Received
- pick 1956 third round pick (#34-Larry Ross)
- pick 1956 sixth round pick (#71- Sherman Plunkett )
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Did
Chicago's official account states that the Bears sent third- and sixth-round selections in the 1956 draft to Cleveland for Doug Atkins and Ken Gorgal. Cleveland used those choices on Larry Ross at No. 34 and Sherman Plunkett at No. 71. That source resolves an important package issue: the Browns' return was the two draft picks, not the picks plus an unidentified additional player.
Why Chicago Won So Clearly
Atkins became one of the defining defensive ends of his era after arriving in Chicago. The Bears credit him with eight Pro Bowls and four first-team All-Pro selections during his 12 seasons with the club, and he helped the 1963 team win the NFL championship. He was later enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Gorgal was secondary value, but Chicago did not need much more once Atkins became a cornerstone.
How Cleveland's Picks Turned Out
Cleveland at least received identifiable draft capital and turned both selections into players, so the transaction was not literally empty. However, neither Ross nor Plunkett approached the impact Atkins produced in Chicago. The Browns had already experienced Atkins' talent, making the long-term gap especially stark once he developed into a perennial league honor recipient for another franchise.
Final Verdict
Chicago keeps the A+ and the clear winning verdict. Cleveland remains at D because two mid-round selections did not replace the value of a Hall of Fame defender entering his prime. The factual correction is equally important: removing the unsupported undisclosed player leaves the package exactly as Chicago's official historical account describes it.
That imbalance defines the deal's legacy. Cleveland received two mid-round opportunities, while Chicago acquired a defender who became a decade-long cornerstone and Hall of Famer. Even giving the Browns credit for identifiable draft capital, Atkins created overwhelmingly realized value.