Los Angeles acquired Ed Holler, but he never appeared in a…
Los Angeles acquired Ed Holler, but he never appeared in a Rams regular-season game. The player-for-player return therefore produced no on-field value for the Rams. The grade remains tied to documented value for the acquiring club, without assigning credit for unresolved or hypothetical downstream consideration.
Los Angeles Rams Received
- player Ed Holler
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- player Art Hunter (b. 1933-04-24)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On May 8, 1965, Pittsburgh and Los Angeles completed a straight player-for-player trade: linebacker Ed Holler went to the Rams and veteran center Art Hunter went to the Steelers. Contemporary reporting and transaction ledgers agree on the exchange. Hunter was an established NFL player, not a draft pick, so this was a player-for-player exchange.
Los Angeles Rams Return
Los Angeles acquired Ed Holler, but he never appeared in a Rams regular-season game. The player-for-player return therefore produced no on-field value for the Rams. The grade remains tied to documented value for the acquiring club, without assigning credit for unresolved or hypothetical downstream consideration.
Pittsburgh Steelers Return
Art Hunter started all nine games he played for Pittsburgh in 1965, giving the Steelers immediate starting-center value. That one season is enough to win the exchange because Holler never played for the Rams. The grade remains tied to documented value for the acquiring club, without assigning credit for unresolved or hypothetical downstream consideration.
Value in Hindsight
The original Rams-win verdict appears to reward Holler's pre-trade résumé rather than what happened after the exchange. Hindsight evaluation should focus on value delivered to the acquiring teams. Pittsburgh got nine starts; Los Angeles got no regular-season appearance. Hunter's one-year tenure keeps the win modest, but the direction is clear.
Final Verdict
Pittsburgh wins. The Steelers earn a B- for acquiring a nine-game starter. The Rams earn a D+ because Holler did not play for them in the regular season. Correct Hunter's asset type from pick to player and reverse the verdict.