Indianapolis sent quarterback Mark Herrmann to San Diego on…
Indianapolis sent quarterback Mark Herrmann to San Diego on March 27, 1985, for a 1986 tenth-round pick that became No. 266 and guard Pete Anderson. Herrmann gave the Chargers three seasons of backup quarterback value, including 1,537 passing yards and 10 touchdowns in 1985. Anderson never appeared in an NFL regular-season game. San Diego clearly received the stronger realized return from a low-cost exchange.
Indianapolis Colts Received
- pick 1986 tenth round pick (#266-Pete Anderson)
Los Angeles Chargers Received
- player Mark Herrmann
Trade Analysis
The Package and Date
Indianapolis traded quarterback Mark Herrmann to the San Diego Chargers on March 27, 1985, for a future draft choice. The compensation became San Diego’s 1986 tenth-round selection, No. 266 overall, which the Colts used on Georgia guard Pete Anderson. Colts draft history identifies the choice as coming from San Diego for Herrmann, and the 1986 draft transaction record matches the same player-for-pick chain.
Herrmann Became Useful Insurance
San Diego received meaningful quarterback depth behind Dan Fouts. Herrmann appeared in nine games and started four in 1985, completing 132 of 201 passes for 1,537 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He stayed with the Chargers for two more seasons, adding six appearances and one start in 1986 and three appearances with two starts in 1987. His three-year San Diego total included 2,569 passing yards and 13 touchdown passes.
The Colts Pick Produced No Regular-Season Return
Indianapolis used No. 266 on Pete Anderson. Pro Football Archives records that Anderson signed with the Colts, spent time on injured reserve, and was released in April 1987. Pro Football Reference does not credit him with an NFL regular-season appearance. That makes the hindsight comparison straightforward: Indianapolis obtained a legitimate draft asset, but the selected player produced no regular-season value, while Herrmann provided several useful starts and substantial passing production.
Final Verdict
The stakes were modest because San Diego surrendered only a tenth-round choice, so this is not a blockbuster-grade victory. Still, the realized value is clearly separated. Herrmann gave the Chargers three seasons of credible backup quarterback play and productive starts when needed; Anderson never appeared in a regular-season game. San Diego earns a B+ and Indianapolis a C, producing a Los Angeles Chargers Win.