The May 25, 1988 entry reflects the reversal of Indianapolis'…
The May 25, 1988 entry reflects the reversal of Indianapolis' earlier deal for Ken Woodard. The Colts had agreed to send Pittsburgh a conditional 1989 twelfth-round pick, but Woodard failed his physical and the transaction was negated. Woodard returned to the Steelers and the conditional pick was never exercised, leaving neither franchise with meaningful lasting value from the aborted exchange.
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- player Ken Woodard
Indianapolis Colts Received
- pick 1989 conditional twelfth round pick (not exercised)
Trade Analysis
Why This Entry Is Different
The May 25 record is not a normal completed trade in which both sides carried new assets forward. Indianapolis had originally agreed on May 5 to send Pittsburgh a conditional 1989 twelfth-round choice for Ken Woodard. Contemporary transaction records then show the deal being negated after Woodard failed his physical, creating the May 25 reversal represented here.
What Indianapolis Retained
Once the deal was voided, the Colts did not owe Pittsburgh the conditional twelfth-round selection. Indianapolis therefore retained the future pick and relinquished Woodard. The condition was never exercised, so there is no downstream drafted player to credit to Pittsburgh from this particular exchange. The Colts also did not receive regular-season value from Woodard through the failed transaction itself.
How Pittsburgh's Position Reset
Pittsburgh reacquired Woodard, essentially restoring the player to the Steelers after the failed physical stopped the first deal from sticking. That is useful context, but it is not the same as winning a conventional trade. The Steelers did not receive the expected draft compensation, while Indianapolis did not keep the player it had attempted to acquire. The practical effect was a reset.
Final Verdict
An Even Trade with C grades best captures the May 25 reversal. Indianapolis avoided paying for a player who did not pass its physical, while Pittsburgh recovered Woodard rather than losing him for an unexercised pick. Neither side converted the episode into meaningful new value. Treating the reversal as a Colts win would overstate the benefit of simply unwinding a transaction that never fully took effect.