New Orleans acquired Ed McAleney from Tampa Bay for cash in…
New Orleans acquired Ed McAleney from Tampa Bay for cash in February 1977. The available record confirms the player movement but does not preserve the exact cash amount, which limits how precisely the financial side can be weighed. McAleney did not become a major long-term asset for the Saints, and Tampa Bay's cash return was modest, leaving the trade effectively even at a low grade.
New Orleans Saints Received
- player Ed McAleney
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Received
- other cash
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
New Orleans acquired Ed McAleney from Tampa Bay in February 1977 for cash. Historical roster material supports McAleney's move to the Saints, while league and college records confirm the player identity. The exact cash amount is not preserved in the available material, but the transaction itself is clear enough to evaluate as a minor player-for-cash exchange.
New Orleans Saints Return
The Saints received McAleney and added another player to the 1977 roster mix. His acquisition did not develop into a major long-term contribution, so New Orleans cannot claim a meaningful football windfall from the move. The low acquisition cost helps, but without a substantial playing return, the Saints' side of the deal remains modest and below the level of an average successful trade.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Return
Tampa Bay received cash rather than a player or draft choice. Because the exact amount is not preserved, it would be inappropriate to assign the Buccaneers a large financial advantage. The return was real, but it did not create a lasting football asset or a later transaction trail. That keeps Tampa Bay's side in the same low-value range as New Orleans' player return.
Value in Hindsight
The missing cash figure is a limitation, but it does not prevent a conservative evaluation. Neither side can point to a durable roster advantage, a premium pick, or a player who became an important long-term contributor. The safest conclusion is that the transaction had little lasting effect on either franchise. Equal low grades capture that outcome without pretending there was a meaningful winner.
Final Verdict
This is an even trade at D/D. New Orleans received a player who did not become a major asset, while Tampa Bay received an unspecified cash payment that did not translate into a visible football advantage. The deal belongs in the low-impact category for both teams.