Pittsburgh sent the 1996 sixth-round pick at No. 192 to San…
Pittsburgh sent the 1996 sixth-round pick at No. 192 to San Diego for the Chargers’ 1997 fifth-round choice at No. 146. San Diego selected Bryan Stoltenberg, who appeared in nine games without a start for the Chargers. Pittsburgh later included the fifth-rounder in a separate package that returned a 1998 third-round choice, giving the Steelers the better asset progression.
Los Angeles Chargers Received
- pick 1996 6th round pick (#192-Bryan Stoltenberg)
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- pick 1997 5th round pick (#146-Paul Bradford)
Trade Analysis
The Documented Exchange
The direct 1996 trade was a two-pick exchange: San Diego sent its 1997 fifth-round choice, later No. 146, to Pittsburgh for the Steelers’ 1996 sixth-round selection at No. 192. The Chargers used No. 192 on center Bryan Stoltenberg. Chargers historical trade material lists this transaction separately from a 1997 deal involving picks No. 146 and No. 218, which matters because the seventh-rounder was not part of the original 1996 exchange.
What San Diego Received
The Chargers moved a future fifth-rounder to gain an immediate sixth-round selection and chose Stoltenberg. He appeared in nine games for San Diego in 1996 without making a start. Stoltenberg later continued his NFL career elsewhere and ultimately played 50 games, but the value attributable to this trade is his short Chargers stint. San Diego therefore received a real roster player, yet only limited direct service from the acquired selection.
What Pittsburgh Received
Pittsburgh accepted the one-year delay and moved up a round in draft capital, receiving the 1997 fifth-round choice that became No. 146. The Steelers did not simply spend that selection. In a separate 1997 transaction, Pittsburgh packaged No. 146 with the seventh-round pick at No. 218 and obtained San Diego’s 1998 third-round choice. The later package had another ingredient, so the fifth-rounder should not receive all of the credit, but it remained a meaningful asset that helped Pittsburgh move into stronger future draft capital.
Final Verdict
San Diego’s reasoning was reasonable: turn a future fifth into a current sixth and select a player it wanted. The actual Chargers return, however, was only nine games and no starts. Pittsburgh improved the round value of its draft asset and later used that fifth-rounder as part of another move for a third-round selection. The Steelers earn a B for the stronger asset path, while the Chargers receive a C for obtaining limited on-field value from Stoltenberg.