Cincinnati traded Boomer Esiason to the New York Jets on…
Cincinnati traded Boomer Esiason to the New York Jets on March 17, 1993, for the No. 59 pick, used on linebacker Steve Tovar, plus a 1994 conditional selection that was not conveyed. Esiason immediately made the Pro Bowl and started three seasons for New York. Tovar became a durable Bengals linebacker, giving both clubs a substantial return.
Cincinnati Bengals Received
- pick 1993 third-round pick (No. 59, Steve Tovar)
- pick 1994 conditional draft pick (not conveyed)
New York Jets Received
- player Boomer Esiason
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Cincinnati sent Boomer Esiason to the New York Jets on March 17, 1993. The Bengals received the 59th pick in that year's draft and a conditional 1994 selection tied to Esiason's performance. Cincinnati used No. 59 on Ohio State linebacker Steve Tovar. The later condition was not met, so the 1994 selection never changed hands and should not be counted as realized value.
Cincinnati's Return
Tovar became a much better return than a disposable third-round choice. He played seven seasons for Cincinnati, immediately started nine games as a rookie and developed into a regular part of the Bengals' defense. His career reached 121 games overall, with the bulk of his starting work coming in Cincinnati. That kind of longevity gave the Bengals inexpensive defensive service after they decided to reset at quarterback.
New York's Return
Esiason gave the Jets exactly what they sought at first: credible veteran quarterback play. He started all 16 games in 1993 and earned a Pro Bowl selection, then remained New York's primary starter in 1994 and 1995. The team results declined over that span, so the acquisition did not produce a sustained contender, but obtaining three seasons of starting quarterback play for a third-rounder was legitimate value.
Value in Hindsight
This trade worked in different ways for both clubs. Cincinnati turned an aging quarterback into a long-term linebacker without ever receiving the conditional extra pick. New York paid a mid-round selection and received a Pro Bowl season plus multiple years of starting service at the sport's most important position. Neither side found a franchise-changing outcome, but neither side wasted its principal asset either.
Final Verdict
Even Trade. Cincinnati and New York each receive a B. Tovar's longevity makes the Bengals' return stronger than the original price might suggest, while Esiason's 1993 Pro Bowl season and three-year run as a starter justified the Jets' investment. The transaction is a good example of both teams receiving useful value for different roster timelines.