Seattle traded linebacker Terry Beeson to Atlanta in April…
Seattle traded linebacker Terry Beeson to Atlanta in April 1982 for a conditional 1983 draft pick. Both Seattle's team history and transaction records confirm the exchange, while Seattle's history states that the trade criteria were not met. Beeson did not play a regular-season game for Atlanta, so neither club realized meaningful on-field or draft value.
Atlanta Falcons Received
- player Terry Beeson
Seattle Seahawks Received
- pick 1983 conditional draft pick (trade criteria not met)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Seattle moved veteran linebacker Terry Beeson to Atlanta in late April 1982 for a conditional selection in the 1983 draft. Transaction records list the deal on April 28, while Seattle's own history places it two days later. The central terms agree: Atlanta acquired Beeson and Seattle's compensation depended on a condition rather than an unconditional future pick.
Seattle's Return
Seattle's trade history states that the criteria were not met. As a result, the Seahawks did not receive an exercised 1983 draft choice. That makes the return much smaller than the phrase 'conditional pick' can imply when viewed without the outcome. Seattle did create roster space by moving a veteran, but there was no later selection to turn into a player or another trade asset.
Atlanta's Return
Atlanta obtained Beeson without ultimately surrendering a draft choice, but it also did not receive meaningful regular-season production. NFL career records show Beeson's 1982 appearances came with San Francisco, where he played five games. He has no recorded Atlanta regular-season games. The Falcons therefore received the right to evaluate a veteran rather than a lasting contributor.
Value in Hindsight
The condition worked as a protection mechanism for Atlanta, and its failure prevented Seattle from gaining draft value. Yet the player side did not produce value either. This distinguishes the deal from a true one-sided conditional trade in which one club gets a productive player while the trigger fails. Here both possible value streams effectively ended before creating a durable roster benefit.
Final Verdict
Even Trade. Seattle earns a C because it moved on from Beeson but never received the conditional selection. Atlanta also earns a C because the condition protected its draft capital, yet Beeson did not provide regular-season production for the Falcons. With no pick conveyed and no lasting Atlanta contribution, the transaction finishes as a low-impact draw rather than a meaningful win.