Chicago traded quarterback Doug Flutie to New England in…
Chicago traded quarterback Doug Flutie to New England in October 1987 for a 1988 eighth-round pick that became No. 208 David Tate. Flutie soon started for the Patriots and made nine starts in 1988 alone, throwing for 1,150 yards while adding mobility on the ground. New England obtained meaningful quarterback service for a very low draft cost.
Chicago Bears Received
- pick 1988 eighth round pick (#208-David Tate)
New England Patriots Received
- player Doug Flutie
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Chicago moved Doug Flutie to New England on October 13, 1987 for a 1988 eighth-round pick. The selection became No. 208 and was used on David Tate. At that draft depth, the Bears were accepting a modest future asset for a quarterback they did not view as central to their plan. New England took the opposite bet on Flutie's immediate utility. Chicago Bears Return The Bears received a legitimate draft choice, but the eighth-round slot carried limited expected value and did not yield a comparable Chicago contributor. Moving on from Flutie may have simplified the quarterback room, yet the direct football return remained small. That makes Chicago's side difficult to defend once Flutie's Patriots starts are included. New England Patriots Return Flutie started for New England right away and became a significant part of the 1988 season. He started nine games that year, passed for 1,150 yards and eight touchdowns, and added 179 rushing yards. He also made three starts in 1989. Those are not star-level numbers, but acquiring actual starting quarterback snaps for an eighth-rounder is excellent value. Value in Hindsight Quarterback starts are expensive, even when the performance is uneven. New England paid a pick near the end of the draft and received multiple seasons of usable depth plus twelve starts across 1988 and 1989. Chicago received much less from the selection. The disparity is large enough to overturn a mild Bears-win reading and place the advantage clearly with New England. Final Verdict New England earns a B+ and Chicago a C-. The Patriots bought meaningful quarterback service for an eighth-round choice, while the Bears received little lasting return from the pick. Flutie's immediate and repeated starting role makes New England the clear winner in hindsight.