Seattle sent quarterback Brock Huard to Indianapolis in 2002…
Seattle sent quarterback Brock Huard to Indianapolis in 2002 and received the 146th pick, which became defensive tackle Rocky Bernard. Bernard developed into a long-term Seahawks contributor and eventually finished his career with 33 sacks across 160 games. Huard saw almost no action for Indianapolis, appearing in only two games in 2003 and attempting three passes. Seattle transformed a spare quarterback into years of defensive-line value.
Seattle Seahawks Received
- pick 2002 5th round pick (146th overall, Rocky Bernard)
Indianapolis Colts Received
- player Brock Huard
Trade Analysis
Why Indianapolis Acquired Huard
The Colts had Peyton Manning entrenched at quarterback, so the Brock Huard trade was about experienced depth rather than finding a starter. A fifth-round pick is a manageable price when a team believes it is securing a dependable reserve at the sport’s most important position. Huard had prior starting experience in Seattle, giving Indianapolis a known option behind Manning. The move made sense structurally, but the Colts received almost no game-day return from it.
What Seattle Did With No. 146
Seattle used the acquired fifth-round selection on defensive tackle Rocky Bernard. That pick became the central fact in evaluating the deal. Bernard grew into a durable interior pass rusher and appeared in 160 NFL games over his career, recording 33 sacks. He spent the first seven seasons of that career with Seattle and became a meaningful part of the Seahawks’ defensive front, far exceeding the normal return expected from a fifth-round choice.
How the Quarterback Side Developed
Huard did not appear in a game for Indianapolis in 2002. His Colts action came in 2003, when he appeared twice and attempted only three passes. Backup quarterbacks can still have value without playing, but the price must be judged against the opportunity cost. Here, the pick surrendered for that depth became a multi-year defensive contributor for the other team. Seattle therefore converted surplus quarterback inventory into a much more valuable roster asset.
Final Verdict
Seattle Seahawks Win. Seattle earns an A- for turning Huard into the pick that produced Rocky Bernard, a long-term defensive lineman with real pass-rush production. Indianapolis receives a D+ because the reasoning behind adding an experienced backup was understandable, but Huard’s actual role was almost nonexistent. The fifth-round investment became far more valuable in Seattle’s hands than it did on the Colts’ quarterback depth chart.