St. Louis acquired receiver Earl Thomas. Chicago received…
St. Louis acquired receiver Earl Thomas. Chicago received Wayne Mulligan, Cliff McClain and the 1975 seventh-round pick used on Earl Douthitt. Thomas supplied the Cardinals two seasons of receiving depth, while the Bears received multiple assets for one player. Thomas gave St. Louis some immediate use, preventing this from being a poor deal. Chicago's three-piece return, including a future draft choice, created the better overall value profile even though none became a star.
Arizona Cardinals Received
- player Earl Thomas (Lewis)
Chicago Bears Received
- player Wayne Mulligan
- player Clifford McClain / Cliff McClain
- pick 1975 seventh round pick (#178-Earl Douthitt)
Trade Analysis
Why the Trade Happened
St. Louis acquired receiver Earl Thomas; Chicago received Wayne Mulligan, Cliff McClain and a 1975 seventh-round pick used on Earl Douthitt. The transaction reflected a familiar veteran-for-value calculation: one club wanted immediate roster help, while the other was willing to exchange present certainty for draft capital or a different player. In hindsight, the useful question is what each side actually converted those assets into.
What Arizona Cardinals Received
St. Louis acquired receiver Earl Thomas. Chicago received Wayne Mulligan, Cliff McClain and the 1975 seventh-round pick used on Earl Douthitt. Thomas supplied the Cardinals two seasons of receiving depth, while the Bears received multiple assets for one player. For Arizona Cardinals, the return is judged by the NFL contribution that followed, not simply by the round number or the reputation of the outgoing player. That realized value supports a C grade for Arizona Cardinals.
What Chicago Bears Received
The Chicago Bears side of the exchange addressed a different roster need. Thomas gave St. Louis some immediate use, preventing this from being a poor deal. Chicago's three-piece return, including a future draft choice, created the better overall value profile even though none became a star. The value was real enough to deserve credit where appropriate, but the long-term comparison supports a B- grade for Chicago Bears.
Why the Verdict Lands Here
The deciding factor is the difference between immediate usefulness and durable value. The documented package produced enough evidence to separate the two sides without overstating what a late pick or short veteran stint meant. Thomas gave St. Louis some immediate use, preventing this from being a poor deal. Chicago's three-piece return, including a future draft choice, created the better overall value profile even though none became a star. That is why the result is Chicago Bears Win.
Final Verdict
Chicago Bears Win. Arizona Cardinals receives a C, while Chicago Bears receives a B-. The grades reflect the confirmed exchange, the downstream players attached to the picks, and the actual football contribution that followed rather than the value those assets might have carried in theory.