Chicago moved Alain Kashama to Seattle near the end of the…
Chicago moved Alain Kashama to Seattle near the end of the 2005 preseason for a conditional future choice. Because the trade criteria were not met, the Bears never received a draft selection. Kashama played only one regular-season game for the Seahawks that year, so Chicago lost little future value but also gained no realized compensation from the transaction.
Chicago Bears Received
- pick conditional future draft pick (criteria not met; no pick conveyed)
Seattle Seahawks Received
- player Alain Kashama
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Seattle acquired Alain Kashama from Chicago on August 29, 2005 for a conditional future draft choice. Contemporary coverage described the return as a future pick, while Seattle's own all-time trade history supplies the decisive outcome: the criteria were not met. Chicago therefore received no draft selection.
Seattle's Look
Kashama was an athletic developmental defensive end who had made Chicago as an undrafted player. Seattle was willing to use a conditional structure to evaluate him without guaranteeing draft capital. NFL statistics show that Kashama appeared in one regular-season game for the Seahawks in 2005 and recorded two combined tackles. He did not become a lasting part of the rotation.
Chicago's Outcome
The Bears moved a fringe roster player rather than release him outright and gave themselves a chance to earn a future pick. The condition never vested, so there was no draft asset to convert into another player. Chicago nevertheless avoided surrendering an established contributor, and Kashama's limited Seattle role confirms that the opportunity cost was small.
Comparing the Returns
Conditional trades can look larger on announcement day than they become in practice. Here the final exchange amounted to Seattle receiving a brief player look with no draft choice paid. Chicago received no tangible return, but the player did not become a significant Seahawks contributor. That leaves very little durable value on either side.
Final Verdict
Even Trade. Both clubs receive a C. Seattle obtained a no-cost regular-season look at Kashama, while Chicago received no pick but gave up a player who produced only one game for the Seahawks.
Chicago never received the conditional selection because the trade criteria were not met, while Seattle received only one regular-season game and two tackles from Alain Kashama. The transaction therefore functioned as a no-cost preseason evaluation with almost no lasting football value.