San Diego Chargers received Glen Edwards in the 1978-08-22…
San Diego Chargers received Glen Edwards in the 1978-08-22 exchange with Pittsburgh Steelers, giving up 1979 sixth round pick (#157-Bill Murrell). San Diego acquired veteran safety Glen Edwards, who joined the Chargers immediately after the August 1978 trade. That return supports a B- grade for San Diego Chargers. The final verdict is Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers Win, based on the football value tied directly to the assets in this deal.
Los Angeles Chargers Received
- player Glen Edwards
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- pick 1979 sixth round pick (#157-Bill Murrell)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1978-08-22, San Diego Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers completed a deal in which San Diego Chargers received Glen Edwards, while Pittsburgh Steelers received 1979 sixth round pick (#157-Bill Murrell). Multiple historical records agree on the player movement, counterparties, and material consideration. That makes the useful hindsight question straightforward: what football value did each club actually receive from the assets attached to this exchange?
San Diego Chargers Return
San Diego acquired veteran safety Glen Edwards, who joined the Chargers immediately after the August 1978 trade. The return is best judged at the scale of the transaction itself. For San Diego Chargers, the important point is whether the incoming asset produced usable service or preserved meaningful draft value. Nothing in the documented outcome justifies stretching the grade beyond what the actual return supports, so B- is an appropriate mark.
Pittsburgh Steelers Return
Pittsburgh received the 1979 sixth-round choice used at No. 157 on Bill Murrell. That result defines the other side of the comparison. For Pittsburgh Steelers, the grade should reflect the contribution or draft value that followed from this specific deal, without crediting unrelated roster moves or later transactions. On that basis, C fits the value Pittsburgh Steelers ultimately realized.
Value in Hindsight
Edwards provided the more direct and useful football return, while the sixth-round selection did not create comparable documented value for Pittsburgh. Because this was not a franchise-changing exchange, the grade spread should remain proportional to the evidence. Late-round picks, short veteran stints, failed physicals, and nominal cash returns can still matter, but they should not be treated like premium assets. The comparison therefore emphasizes actual service, identifiable draft outcomes, and the direct consequences of the deal.
Final Verdict
The final call is Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers Win. San Diego Chargers receives B-, while Pittsburgh Steelers receives C. That verdict matches the documented outcome and keeps the judgment tied to the exchange itself. Where the realized returns were close, the grades stay close; where one side obtained clearly more useful football value, the grade separation reflects that advantage without overstating a relatively small transaction.