Philadelphia Eagles received Rick Engles. Rick Engles…
Philadelphia Eagles received Rick Engles. Rick Engles appeared in six games for Philadelphia after the trade. The contribution was modest, but it was still the only direct regular-season value generated by either side of the exchange. Compared with Pittsburgh Steelers' return, the result supports a C grade and fits the Philadelphia Eagles Win verdict.
Philadelphia Eagles Received
- player Rick Engles
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- pick 1979 twelfth round pick (#322-Ed Smith (d))
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1978-07-22, Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers completed an exchange in which Philadelphia Eagles received Rick Engles, while Pittsburgh Steelers received 1979 twelfth round pick (#322-Ed Smith (d)). Both sides obtained identifiable football assets, so the hindsight evaluation turns on what those assets became and how much practical value they delivered after the move.
Philadelphia Eagles Return
Rick Engles appeared in six games for Philadelphia after the trade. The contribution was modest, but it was still the only direct regular-season value generated by either side of the exchange. That outcome is the main reason Philadelphia Eagles receives a C grade. The value here is measured by actual contribution and staying power rather than by the number of pieces in the package. In a minor transaction, even a useful role player or durable starter can create a meaningful edge.
Pittsburgh Steelers Return
Pittsburgh received the 1979 twelfth-round choice used on Ed Smith, but that selection did not create a regular-season return for the Steelers. That result supports a D+ grade for Pittsburgh Steelers. The return has to be judged against what the other club received, not simply by whether the acquired player or pick reached the roster. The comparison therefore emphasizes sustained contribution, role importance, and the eventual usefulness of any draft capital.
Value in Hindsight
This was a small transaction with limited consequences. Philadelphia gets the narrow edge because Engles actually appeared in games, while Pittsburgh's draft return did not translate into comparable production. The exchange was not necessarily unreasonable when it was made, but the later outcomes provide a clearer basis for grading it. Hindsight separates the original cost from the production that followed and shows which club converted its side of the deal into more meaningful football value.
Final Verdict
The final call is Philadelphia Eagles Win. Philadelphia Eagles receives a C, while Pittsburgh Steelers receives a D+. Those grades reflect the documented package and the downstream results attached to it. The deciding factor is the relative quality and duration of the returns, which gives the stronger side the advantage without overstating a transaction that was generally modest in scale.