Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers completed this exchange…
Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers completed this exchange on 1977-09-20. Buffalo Bills received Ron Schock, while Pittsburgh Steelers received Brian Spencer. The historical sources agree on the core package and transaction identity. In hindsight, With the package and date well established, the result comes down to realized production. The returns were modest and reasonably comparable, supporting matching grades. The final grades are C for Buffalo Bills and C for Pittsburgh Steelers, producing a Even Trade verdict.
Buffalo Bills Received
- player Ron Schock
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- player Brian Spencer
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1977-09-20, Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers completed a minor transaction in which Buffalo Bills received Ron Schock and Pittsburgh Steelers received Brian Spencer. The cited team, league, and historical records line up on the essential participants and compensation. That gives the exchange a stable foundation for a hindsight judgment based on what the acquired assets actually became rather than on the reputation of either club at the time.
Buffalo Bills Return
Pittsburgh received Brian Spencer, while Buffalo received Ron Schock. Neither player created a major post-trade value swing for his new team. The C grade reflects the practical football value of that return and the scale of the original transaction. For a deal in this range, useful snaps, sustained roster value, or the conversion of a modest pick into a productive player matter more than raw asset count alone.
Pittsburgh Steelers Return
Buffalo's side likewise produced limited long-term separation, making the exchange closer to a roster-balance move than a transaction with a durable winner. The C grade uses the same proportional standard. The question is not whether the club received something of value, but whether that value held up against what the other side ultimately gained from the completed exchange.
Value in Hindsight
With the package and date well established, the result comes down to realized production. The returns were modest and reasonably comparable, supporting matching grades. The result is therefore driven by realized football value, durability, and the downstream meaning of the assets rather than by the nominal size of the package. That keeps the grading anchored to the actual consequences of this specific trade and avoids overstating a minor move simply because one name or draft slot became more recognizable later.
Final Verdict
The final call is Even Trade. Buffalo Bills receives a C, and Pittsburgh Steelers receives a C. Those grades fit the documented package and the separation visible in hindsight. The verdict reflects the degree of advantage supported by the historical outcome, with the margin kept appropriate to the size and significance of the transaction.