Cleveland acquired quarterback Bill Nelsen and Jim Bradshaw…

The Exchange

Pittsburgh moved Bill Nelsen and Jim Bradshaw to Cleveland in May 1968 for Dick Shiner, Frank Parker and future draft consideration. The available draft trail strongly links that future asset to the 1969 second-round selection at No. 42, used on Warren Bankston. The transaction therefore exchanged two players for two players plus meaningful future draft capital. Cleveland Browns Return Nelsen transformed Cleveland's side of the deal. He became the Browns' starting quarterback and went 19-5-1 in regular-season starts across 1968 and 1969, helping keep Cleveland in championship contention. His 1969 Pro Bowl selection underscores that the Browns obtained more than a stopgap. Bradshaw was secondary to the result, but Cleveland's quarterback payoff was immediate and substantial. Pittsburgh Steelers Return Pittsburgh received Shiner, Parker and a valuable second-round asset. Shiner provided quarterback depth and had stretches of useful play, while the future pick gave the Steelers another opportunity to build the roster. That return was not empty, and the presence of a second-round choice keeps Pittsburgh from receiving a harsh failing grade. Still, none of the incoming pieces matched Nelsen's immediate Cleveland influence. Value in Hindsight The decisive factor is positional and competitive impact. Cleveland solved a major quarterback need with a player who quickly produced winning seasons and Pro Bowl recognition. Pittsburgh received a broader package, but breadth did not overcome the value of a successful starting quarterback during a period when Cleveland remained a serious contender. The likely Bankston pick narrows the gap without erasing it. Final Verdict Cleveland earns an A- and Pittsburgh a C. The Browns won because Nelsen delivered high-value starting quarterback play almost immediately and helped sustain team success. Pittsburgh's multiple assets carried legitimate value, especially the future second-rounder, but the realized return did not equal Cleveland's gain at quarterback. The result is a clear Browns win without treating Pittsburgh's side as worthless.