San Diego acquired quarterback Jon Brittenum from Miami for a…
San Diego acquired quarterback Jon Brittenum from Miami for a 1968 third-round pick, No. 73. Brittenum appeared in 14 AFL games but completed only nine passes for 125 yards, while Miami used the pick on safety Dick Anderson. Anderson became a 121-game Dolphin, three-time Pro Bowler, two-time first-team All-Pro, two-time Super Bowl champion and 1973 AP Defensive Player of the Year, making the gap enormous.
Los Angeles Chargers Received
- player Jon Brittenum
Miami Dolphins Received
- pick 1968 third round pick (#73-Dick Anderson (Paul))
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
Miami traded quarterback Jon Brittenum to San Diego in December 1967 for the Chargers’ third-round selection in the 1968 draft. The pick was No. 73 overall. Miami used it on Colorado defensive back Dick Anderson, creating one of the clearest player-for-pick outcome gaps in this portion of the historical trade set.
What San Diego Got
Brittenum did reach the field for the Chargers, so the return was not literally zero. His AFL career consisted of 14 games, with nine completions on 17 attempts for 125 passing yards. He never developed into the long-term quarterback answer that would justify giving up a third-round selection. For a pick early enough to produce a premium starter, that limited role represents a weak realized return.
What Miami Got
Anderson became a foundational Dolphins defender. He played 121 games for Miami, made 34 interceptions, earned three Pro Bowl selections and twice made first-team All-Pro. He was the 1968 AFL defensive rookie of the year, later won the 1973 AP Defensive Player of the Year award and was part of two Super Bowl championship teams. The combination of longevity, peak honors and championship impact makes the value of No. 73 extraordinary.
Final Verdict
Miami turned a reserve quarterback into an elite defensive back and franchise cornerstone. San Diego received only limited quarterback production, while Anderson delivered nine seasons of high-level play and major honors. An A+ for Miami reflects an exceptional conversion of a single third-round pick. The Chargers fall to D+ because Brittenum did appear and contribute in a small role, but the outcome is overwhelmingly a Miami Dolphins Win.