Chicago acquired wide receiver Bo Rather from Miami on…
Chicago acquired wide receiver Bo Rather from Miami on September 10, 1974 for the Bears' 1977 third-round pick, later No. 71. Rather immediately contributed 29 catches, 400 yards and three touchdowns for Chicago in 1974 and remained a starter in 1975. Miami eventually used the pick on Mike Watson, who did not play a regular-season game for the Dolphins.
Chicago Bears Received
- player Bo Rather
Miami Dolphins Received
- pick 1977 third round pick (#71-Mike Watson)
Trade Analysis
The Documented Exchange
Miami's historical draft material lists the trade on September 10, 1974. The Dolphins sent wide receiver Bo Rather to Chicago and received the Bears' third-round selection in the 1977 draft. That choice became No. 71 overall, which Miami used on defensive back Mike Watson. The transaction is therefore more specific than the older description that treated Rather's identity and the pick number as uncertain.
What Chicago Received
Rather stepped directly into Chicago's offense. In 1974 he caught 29 passes for 400 yards and three touchdowns, giving the Bears immediate production from a player acquired just before the season. He also remained a regular starter in 1975. Chicago did not acquire a star, but it received multiple seasons of usable wide-receiver value from a future draft choice.
What Miami Received
The Dolphins waited until 1977 to use the returned third-round selection. Miami chose Mike Watson at No. 71, but Watson did not make a regular-season appearance for the Dolphins. Historical player records show that Miami released him before the season. The theoretical value of a third-round pick was attractive, yet the realized return produced no regular-season contribution for the club.
Final Verdict
Chicago wins because Rather delivered immediate and measurable offense while Miami's eventual selection did not produce a regular-season player for the Dolphins. The Bears earn a B+ for turning future draft capital into a useful starter at a position of need. Miami receives a D+ because the delayed pick failed to generate on-field value, despite the reasonable logic of taking a future third-round selection.