Chicago Bears received Bryan Johnson in the exchange with…

The Exchange

On 2004-03-29, Chicago acquired fullback Bryan Johnson from Washington for the 2004 sixth-round pick that became offensive lineman Jim Molinaro. The deal is best judged by what each club actually received afterward: games, starts, production, and draft value tied directly to the exchanged assets. That keeps a modest transaction proportional to the value it created. Chicago Bears Return Johnson appeared in 19 Bears games over 2004 and 2005 and scored two receiving touchdowns in his first Chicago season. He gave the Bears usable fullback depth across parts of two years. The B- grade reflects that result against the price Chicago Bears surrendered. Sustained lineup value and useful draft capital raise the return, while brief service or no direct contribution keeps it lower. Washington Commanders Return Molinaro reached Washington from the sixth-round pick but produced limited direct value for the club. The selection did not match the amount of regular-season service Chicago received from Johnson. The D+ grade applies the same standard to Washington Commanders, emphasizing production and downstream value connected to the package. Success that occurred only after an asset left the club does not add extra credit here. Value in Hindsight This was a modest exchange on both sides, so the grade gap should remain contained. Chicago simply received more regular-season use from the player it acquired than Washington obtained from the resulting late-round selection. The comparison stays centered on duration, starts, production, and useful draft outcomes. A small trade does not require a large grade gap unless the documented returns clearly separated. Final Verdict The final call is Chicago Bears Win. Chicago Bears earns B-, and Washington Commanders earns D+. The conclusion follows the package each club received, the service that followed, and downstream value that can be connected confidently to this exchange. Those grades keep the result tied to realized football value rather than reputation alone.