Seattle paid the 40th pick and a 2011 third-rounder to San…
Seattle paid the 40th pick and a 2011 third-rounder to San Diego for quarterback Charlie Whitehurst and pick No. 60. The Chargers ultimately tied the incoming capital to Koa Misi and Shareece Wright, while Seattle used No. 60 on Golden Tate. Tate became the best individual player connected to the exchange, but Whitehurst never solved Seattle's quarterback need, and the extra third-round cost gives the Chargers the stronger total return.
Los Angeles Chargers Received
- pick 2010 2nd round pick (40th overall subsequently traded, Koa Misi )
- pick 2011 3rd round pick (89th overall, Shareece Wright )
Seattle Seahawks Received
- player Charlie Whitehurst
- pick 2010 2nd round pick (60th overall, Golden Tate )
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Seattle targeted Charlie Whitehurst in March 2010 and paid a meaningful premium to acquire him. The Seahawks sent the 40th overall pick and a 2011 third-rounder to San Diego, receiving Whitehurst and pick No. 60. Seattle used No. 60 on Golden Tate. The Chargers' side of the exchange is traced to the higher 2010 selection and the future third, which became value connected to Koa Misi and Shareece Wright.
Los Angeles Chargers Return
San Diego dealt from quarterback depth and turned Whitehurst plus a move down in the second round into two valuable draft assets. The club did not directly draft Misi at No. 40 because that selection moved again, but the pick retained real trade value, while the 2011 third-rounder became Shareece Wright. Wright developed into a multi-year starter, giving the Chargers a tangible roster return from the future choice.
Seattle Seahawks Return
Seattle's best result was Tate, a productive receiver who became an important part of the offense and the Super Bowl XLVIII championship team. That success matters considerably. The problem is that Whitehurst, the reason Seattle paid the quarterback premium, never established himself as a dependable long-term starter. The Seahawks therefore received one strong draft result but limited value from the centerpiece of the transaction.
Value in Hindsight
Tate prevents this from being a lopsided loss for Seattle. He supplied more recognizable impact than any single player on San Diego's side. Yet trade value is not only about the best player; it also reflects the extra capital surrendered to obtain Whitehurst. The Chargers monetized a reserve quarterback and retained multiple avenues for value, while Seattle's quarterback gamble did not pay off.
Final Verdict
The Chargers earn a B and Seattle a C+. Golden Tate keeps the Seahawks' return respectable, but Whitehurst's limited impact makes the price difficult to justify. San Diego extracted the higher second-round slot and an additional third-rounder for a quarterback it could afford to move, producing the better overall use of assets.