Boston acquired quarterback John Huarte from the New York…
Boston acquired quarterback John Huarte from the New York Jets on December 20, 1965, sending veteran receiver Jim Colclough and the draft rights to fourth-rounder Jim Waskiewicz. The earlier draft-day placeholder and duplicated future-consideration entries obscure the completed package. Huarte produced little for Boston, while Colclough was already an established AFL receiver and continued his career in New York. The Jets received the more useful value.
New England Patriots Received
- player John Huarte
New York Jets Received
- player Jim Colclough
- other draft rights to Jim Waskiewicz
Trade Analysis
What the Completed Trade Was
The clean transaction date is December 20, 1965. Boston acquired quarterback John Huarte from the Jets and sent veteran receiver Jim Colclough plus the draft rights to Jim Waskiewicz. Patriots and Jets historical guides describe that package directly. The existing draft-day date and repeated future-consideration lines reflect the path by which the draft right was created, not a second set of assets. For the public record, one completed trade is clearer and historically supportable.
Why Boston Took the Swing
Huarte carried obvious appeal. He had won the 1964 Heisman Trophy at Notre Dame and was still viewed as a high-upside quarterback prospect. Boston was justified in seeking a passer, and trading from an established receiver plus a draft right was a reasonable way to chase one. The problem is what happened afterward: Huarte never became a meaningful long-term starter for the Patriots.
What New York Received
Colclough was already a productive AFL receiver with multiple strong Boston seasons behind him. He gave New York an experienced target rather than a speculative asset. Waskiewicz did not become a star, but his rights added value to the package. The Jets therefore exchanged a quarterback prospect they could move for one established offensive contributor plus another player right, while Boston received little durable production from Huarte.
Final Verdict
The Jets win with a B+. They converted an unproven quarterback asset into the best established player in the trade and did not sacrifice meaningful future quarterback production. Boston gets a D+ because the rationale was understandable, but the bet did not pay off. Correcting the date to December 20 and collapsing the duplicated consideration makes the outcome much easier to judge.