Los Angeles Chargers received Don Alley. Don Alley did not…
Los Angeles Chargers received Don Alley. Don Alley did not produce a comparable Chargers regular-season return after San Diego sent veteran linebacker Chuck Allen to Pittsburgh. That outcome supports a D grade because the return is measured by the direct football value Los Angeles Chargers actually received after the deal, compared with the asset sent the other way.
Los Angeles Chargers Received
- player Don Alley
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- player Chuck Allen
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1970-02-10, Los Angeles Chargers received Don Alley, while Pittsburgh Steelers received Chuck Allen. This was a relatively small transaction, but the later results provide enough information to compare what each club actually gained. The verdict focuses on direct football value after the deal, including clearly traceable draft outcomes, rather than on reputation or hypothetical value that never reached the acquiring team.
San Diego Chargers Return
Los Angeles Chargers received Don Alley. Don Alley did not produce a comparable Chargers regular-season return after San Diego sent veteran linebacker Chuck Allen to Pittsburgh. That outcome supports a D grade because the return is measured by the direct football value Los Angeles Chargers actually received after the deal, compared with the asset sent the other way.
Pittsburgh Steelers Return
Pittsburgh Steelers received Chuck Allen. Chuck Allen became Pittsburgh's starting middle linebacker in 1970 and remained with the Steelers through 1971, providing two seasons of meaningful defensive service. That outcome supports a A- grade because the return is measured by the direct football value Pittsburgh Steelers actually received after the deal, compared with the asset sent the other way.
Value in Hindsight
Allen's two seasons as a Steelers linebacker clearly exceeded the direct Chargers value produced by Alley. The difference between D and A- comes from the durability and usefulness of the returns, not from the fame of the names involved. For a transaction of this scale, the documented results support a measured distinction rather than an exaggerated one.
Final Verdict
The final call is Pittsburgh Steelers Win. Los Angeles Chargers earns D, and Pittsburgh Steelers earns A-. Those grades reflect the package each club received, the service that followed, and the downstream value that can be tied confidently to the original exchange. That is enough to separate the teams where the results do so, while preserving an even result when neither side gained meaningful football value.