St. Louis acquired Steve Wright and John Hoffman from Chicago…
St. Louis acquired Steve Wright and John Hoffman from Chicago for a 1973 fourth-round choice that became pick No. 84. Both incoming Cardinals had short 1972 stays, while Chicago’s fourth-round asset was routed to San Diego in the Steve DeLong deal. DeLong then started all 14 games for the Bears in 1972, giving Chicago the stronger realized value from the transaction chain.
Arizona Cardinals Received
- player Steve Wright (T.)
- player John Hoffman (Frederick)
Chicago Bears Received
- pick 1973 fourth round pick (#84, later sent to San Diego in the Steve DeLong transaction; Chargers selected Jim Thaxton)
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
On August 8, 1972, St. Louis acquired tackle Steve Wright and defensive lineman John Hoffman from Chicago for a 1973 fourth-round draft choice. Draft-transaction records trace that choice to pick No. 84. The important downstream detail is that Chicago did not ultimately select Jim Thaxton with it: the Bears’ fourth-round asset was part of the earlier Steve DeLong arrangement with San Diego, and the Chargers ultimately exercised No. 84.
What St. Louis Received
Wright and Hoffman both reached the Cardinals roster, but neither became a lasting answer. Wright appeared in five games and started four for St. Louis in 1972. Hoffman appeared in only two games with one start before moving on to Denver during the same season. The Cardinals therefore received two veteran bodies with some immediate use, but the combined return was short-lived and did not develop into multi-season value.
What Chicago Received
Chicago’s compensation was future draft capital rather than a player arriving directly in this transaction. That capital mattered because the Bears used the fourth-round value in the chain that brought defensive end Steve DeLong from San Diego. DeLong started all 14 Bears games in 1972. San Diego eventually made the No. 84 selection, so crediting Chicago with Jim Thaxton would be incorrect; Chicago’s realized benefit was DeLong.
Final Verdict
Chicago gets the hindsight win. St. Louis received a handful of starts from Wright and Hoffman, but both stays were brief. The Bears converted the draft asset into a full-season starter in DeLong, producing the clearer and more durable immediate return. A B- for Chicago and C for St. Louis recognizes that advantage without treating a useful but limited veteran acquisition as a blockbuster outcome.