NFL Trade Verdict

Seattle Seahawks Win

Seattle traded up in the 2009 second round to select C/G Max Unger, a future Pro Bowl lineman and key piece of the Super Bowl-era offense. Unger became the kind of interior-line stabilizer Seattle badly needed as the roster transitioned toward the Pete Carroll era. The cost — a third and fourth — was manageable, and the return became a multi-year starter with Pro Bowl value. This is exactly the kind of mid-round trade-up that works: a defined need, a premium fit, and a long-term starter.

April 25, 2009 Seattle SeahawksChicago Bears Confidence: high Tier: major

Seattle Seahawks Received

Chicago Bears Received

Trade Summary

Seattle traded up in the 2009 second round to select C/G Max Unger, a future Pro Bowl lineman and key piece of the Super Bowl-era offense. Unger became the kind of interior-line stabilizer Seattle badly needed as the roster transitioned toward the Pete Carroll era. The cost — a third and fourth — was manageable, and the return became a multi-year starter with Pro Bowl value. This is exactly the kind of mid-round trade-up that works: a defined need, a premium fit, and a long-term starter.

Trade Analysis

Seattle traded up in the 2009 second round to select C/G Max Unger, a future Pro Bowl lineman and key piece of the Super Bowl-era offense. Unger became the kind of interior-line stabilizer Seattle badly needed as the roster transitioned toward the Pete Carroll era. The cost — a third and fourth — was manageable, and the return became a multi-year starter with Pro Bowl value. This is exactly the kind of mid-round trade-up that works: a defined need, a premium fit, and a long-term starter. Chicago’s received selections did not match Unger’s sustained Seattle value.