NFL Trade Verdict

Seattle Seahawks Win

Traded QB Rick Mirer and 1997 4th-round pick to Bears for 1997 1st-round pick (#11). Used pick to trade up to #3 for CB Shawn Springs (7 seasons, Pro Bowl 1998). Mirer was 20-31 as Seahawks starter. Mirer had started 51 games for Seattle but had clearly plateaued. Turning him and a 4th-rounder into a 1st-round pick, then using that capital in the Shawn Springs chain, was sharp asset management. Chicago got one poor season from Mirer; Seattle extracted premium value from a quarterback it was ready to move on from. Winner: Seattle Seahawks.

February 18, 1997 Seattle Seahawks ↔ Chicago Bears Confidence: high Tier: standard

Seattle Seahawks Received

pick 1997 1st round pick (11th overall subsequently traded, Michael Booker )

Chicago Bears Received

player Rick Mirer
pick 1997 4th round pick (105th overall, Darnell Autry )

Seattle Seahawks

A

Chicago Bears

F

Trade Summary

Traded QB Rick Mirer and 1997 4th-round pick to Bears for 1997 1st-round pick (#11). Used pick to trade up to #3 for CB Shawn Springs (7 seasons, Pro Bowl 1998). Mirer was 20-31 as Seahawks starter. Mirer had started 51 games for Seattle but had clearly plateaued. Turning him and a 4th-rounder into a 1st-round pick, then using that capital in the Shawn Springs chain, was sharp asset management. Chicago got one poor season from Mirer; Seattle extracted premium value from a quarterback it was ready to move on from. Winner: Seattle Seahawks.

Trade Analysis

Traded QB Rick Mirer and 1997 4th-round pick to Bears for 1997 1st-round pick (#11). Used pick to trade up to #3 for CB Shawn Springs (7 seasons, Pro Bowl 1998). Mirer was 20-31 as Seahawks starter. Mirer had started 51 games for Seattle but had clearly plateaued. Turning him and a 4th-rounder into a 1st-round pick, then using that capital in the Shawn Springs chain, was sharp asset management. Chicago got one poor season from Mirer; Seattle extracted premium value from a quarterback it was ready to move on from. Winner: Seattle Seahawks. Bears acquired former #2 overall pick Mirer who went 3-6 as starter in Chicago, completing 53% with 6 TD/11 INT before being released – widely considered one of worst Bears trades.