Indianapolis acquired veteran tackle Bill Contz from Denver…

The Exchange

Denver traded veteran offensive tackle Bill Contz to Indianapolis on August 21, 1989. The agreed return was a conditional eleventh-round selection in the 1990 draft. The condition was not met, so the Broncos never received the pick.

Indianapolis Colts Return

Indianapolis acquired veteran tackle Bill Contz from Denver for a conditional 1990 eleventh-round pick. The condition was never exercised, so Denver ultimately received no draft selection, but Contz also lasted only briefly with the Colts and was released before the 1989 regular season. With neither side receiving lasting football value, the most accurate hindsight result is an even, low-impact transaction.

Denver Broncos Return

Denver agreed to send Bill Contz to Indianapolis for a conditional 1990 eleventh-round choice. The pick was not exercised, meaning the Broncos received no realized draft return. Indianapolis also gained little because Contz was released before the season began. The structure gave both clubs a chance at value, but the actual outcome produced essentially no lasting benefit for either side.

Value in Hindsight

This is a good example of why conditional trades cannot be judged from the nominal package alone. Indianapolis technically acquired the player and Denver technically negotiated future compensation, yet neither side realized those benefits. Contz did not make the Colts' regular-season roster, and the Broncos' draft return disappeared when the condition failed. There is no durable football-value gap to reward.

Final Verdict

Both teams receive a C and the verdict is Even Trade. Indianapolis took a low-cost look at an experienced tackle, while Denver created a chance to receive late-round compensation. Neither possibility produced lasting value, leaving the transaction neutral in hindsight. The short timeline reinforces how little either club ultimately gained.