Cleveland sent center Gerry Sullivan to Chicago on August 23,…

The Exchange

Chicago's official all-time trade ledger dates the transaction to August 23, 1982. The Bears received veteran center Gerry Sullivan and sent Cleveland their 1983 sixth-round pick. Cleveland's draft history identifies that acquired choice as No. 145, used on Wisconsin tight end Tim Stracka. The documented player and pick trail supports a direct comparison of receiving-team outcomes.

Chicago Bears Return

Chicago received Sullivan after eight seasons with Cleveland. The important hindsight fact is that the trade did not buy the Bears regular-season service. Pro Football Reference lists Sullivan’s final NFL season as 1981 and records no Chicago games. That makes the realized Bears return effectively zero despite Sullivan’s substantial earlier Browns career. Chicago therefore earns a D rather than credit for what Sullivan had done before the transaction.

Cleveland Browns Return

Cleveland received the pick and used it on Stracka. He appeared in 13 games as a rookie in 1983 and six more in 1984, starting once. His receiving line over those two seasons was two catches for 27 yards. That is reserve-level production, not a draft steal, but it is still a concrete 19-game contribution created by the exact asset Cleveland received from Chicago. A C+ captures that modest payoff.

Value in Hindsight

The Browns did not uncover a major starter, so the verdict should not be exaggerated. The separation comes from one side receiving two seasons of roster value while the other received no regular-season appearances from its acquired player. That is enough to move this away from the existing even grade.

Final Verdict

Cleveland Browns Win, C+ to D. Stracka contributed in 19 Browns games over two seasons, while Sullivan never appeared in a Bears regular-season game. The supported transaction date is August 23, 1982, and Cleveland's acquired selection was No. 145.