Chicago acquired defensive end John Ricca from the New York…
Chicago acquired defensive end John Ricca from the New York Jets for a 1977 eighth-round pick, but Ricca never appeared in a regular-season game for the Bears. Chicago later released him, leaving the club with no realized on-field return from the player. With the Jets' acquired selection also producing no NFL games, the trade finishes as an Even Trade at D-minus.
Chicago Bears Received
- player John Ricca
New York Jets Received
- pick 1977 eighth round pick (#210-Ed Thompson)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Chicago acquired defensive end John Ricca from the New York Jets on August 12, 1975, for a 1977 eighth-round draft choice. Chicago's official media guide confirms that date and package. The later draft record identifies the selection as No. 210, which the Jets used on Ed Thompson. Both assets can therefore be followed through to their receiving-team outcomes without relying on an unidentified pick chain.
Chicago Bears Return
Chicago received Ricca, but the acquisition did not become regular-season value for the Bears. Pro Football Archives records the trade to Chicago and a later release, while Ricca's playing record shows no regular-season appearance for the Bears. The player was real consideration and may have had camp or roster-evaluation value, but the football outcome relevant to this hindsight grade is zero regular-season games for the receiving team.
New York Jets Return
New York received the future eighth-round selection. The Jets used No. 210 in the 1977 draft on Ed Thompson. The Jets' draft record shows no NFL seasons or games for Thompson, and his transaction record likewise does not establish a regular-season appearance. The acquired pick therefore generated no regular-season service for New York. Identifying Thompson matters because it closes the downstream chain instead of treating an eighth-round choice as unmeasured potential.
Value in Hindsight
Neither side converted its return into regular-season NFL production. Chicago received Ricca but no Bears game appearances; New York used the acquired pick on Thompson and likewise received no NFL games. The realized outcomes leave little meaningful separation between the two sides. This was an executed trade with identifiable assets, but the outcomes ended at roster evaluation rather than regular-season contribution.
Final Verdict
Even Trade. Chicago and the Jets each receive D-minus grades because both acquired assets produced zero regular-season games for the receiving club. The trade date remains August 12, 1975, based on Chicago's official media guide, and the pick identity is supported by the 1977 draft record. With no measurable on-field return on either side, there is no defensible hindsight winner.