Cincinnati traded former first-round receiver David Verser to…
Cincinnati traded former first-round receiver David Verser to Green Bay on August 26, 1985 for a conditional future draft choice. Bengals history states the choice depended on Verser making the Packers' regular-season roster. Green Bay released him on September 2, so the condition was not met and Cincinnati never received a pick from the deal.
Cincinnati Bengals Received
- pick conditional future draft choice if David Verser made Green Bay regular-season roster (condition not met; no pick conveyed)
Green Bay Packers Received
- player David Verser
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Cincinnati moved David Verser to Green Bay on August 26, 1985. Contemporary transaction reporting described the return as a draft choice, while Bengals historical material supplies the key condition: Green Bay owed a future selection only if Verser made the Packers' regular-season roster.
Why Green Bay Tried It
Verser had been the tenth overall pick in 1981 and still offered speed and return experience. For the Packers, a conditional deal created upside without a guaranteed draft expense. They could examine a former first-round athlete during the final stage of camp and walk away without sending a choice if he did not earn a roster spot.
What Happened
Verser was released by Green Bay on September 2. Bengals records explicitly state that because he did not make the Packers' regular-season roster, no draft choice was transferred. Verser later signed with Tampa Bay in December and appeared in one game for the Buccaneers, reinforcing that Green Bay's evaluation did not uncover a long-term contributor.
Cincinnati's Side
The Bengals created a chance to receive compensation for a player they were prepared to move, but the condition never triggered. Cincinnati therefore received no tangible asset. Still, Verser's limited post-trade NFL role kept the opportunity cost small.
Final Verdict
Green Bay Packers Win, narrowly. Green Bay receives a B because it obtained a protected look at a talented veteran and paid no pick when he failed to stick. Cincinnati receives a C-plus because the club generated no final return, though it did not give away meaningful future production.
The conditional structure protected Green Bay completely. Verser failed to make the Packers' regular-season roster, so no draft choice conveyed and Cincinnati received nothing. Green Bay gained only a brief preseason evaluation, but it did so without sacrificing a lasting asset or creating downstream cost.