Chicago received the final two selections of the 2022 draft…
Chicago received the final two selections of the 2022 draft and used them on Elijah Hicks and Trenton Gill. Hicks became a useful defensive back and special-teams contributor, while Gill handled punting duties before his Bears tenure ended. Getting two players who produced real NFL service from a future sixth gives Chicago the slightly stronger combined return.
Chicago Bears Received
- pick 2022 7th round pick (254th overall, Elijah Hicks )
- pick 2022 7th round pick (255th overall, Trenton Gill )
Los Angeles Chargers Received
- pick 2023 6th round pick (200th overall, Scott Matlock )
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 2022-04-30, Chicago Bears received 2022 7th round pick (254th overall, Elijah Hicks); 2022 7th round pick (255th overall, Trenton Gill), while Los Angeles Chargers received 2023 6th round pick (200th overall, Scott Matlock). This hindsight grade considers only the consideration each club controlled directly after the transaction. When an acquired selection or player later moved again, that later move is treated as provenance rather than as extra compensation. The central question is what practical football value each side ultimately created from the assets in this exchange.
Chicago Bears Return
Chicago received the final two selections of the 2022 draft and used them on Elijah Hicks and Trenton Gill. Hicks became a useful defensive back and special-teams contributor, while Gill handled punting duties before his Bears tenure ended. Getting two players who produced real NFL service from a future sixth gives Chicago the slightly stronger combined return. The return is judged by usable games, starts, role value, or retained draft value that came directly from this exchange.
Los Angeles Chargers Return
Los Angeles received Chicago's 2023 sixth-round pick, No. 200, and selected Scott Matlock. Matlock became a useful multi-role contributor, giving the Chargers legitimate value rather than a failed late-round return. Chicago simply received two productive assets from its side of the exchange, so the Chargers finish only a little behind rather than taking a poor grade. The same standard applies here, keeping later unrelated transactions separate from the original bargain.
Value in Hindsight
All three drafted players created NFL value. Chicago simply received two useful contributors instead of one, giving the Bears the stronger aggregate return without diminishing Matlock's role for Los Angeles. That supports a narrow Chicago win rather than a large grade spread. Taken together, those outcomes support Chicago Bears Win and the stated grade separation. The scale remains proportional to the size of the deal and the certainty of the evidence rather than overstating a minor transaction.
Final Verdict
Chicago Bears receives a B and Los Angeles Chargers receives a B-. The verdict is Chicago Bears Win. This conclusion reflects the direct assets, the football value each club actually realized, and the duration of that value. It does not award extra credit for later unrelated transactions involving an acquired pick or player.