Chicago transferred quarterback Don Meredith to the expansion…
Chicago transferred quarterback Don Meredith to the expansion Cowboys on July 14, 1960 in exchange for Dallas's 1962 third-round choice, later No. 32 Jim Bates. The arrangement helped give the new franchise a recognizable Texas quarterback. Dallas earns an A+ because a third-round choice became a franchise quarterback and Ring of Honor figure. Chicago's return was real but ordinary. The gap between Bates's draft value and Meredith's nine-year Cowboys impact makes this a decisive Dallas win.
Chicago Bears Received
- pick 1962 third round pick (#32-Jim Bates (a))
Dallas Cowboys Received
- player Don Meredith
Trade Analysis
Why the Trade Happened
Chicago transferred quarterback Don Meredith to the expansion Cowboys on July 14, 1960 in exchange for Dallas's 1962 third-round choice, later No. 32 Jim Bates. The arrangement helped give the new franchise a recognizable Texas quarterback. The exchange made sense as a roster decision for both clubs at the time: Chicago Bears received 1962 third round pick (#32-Jim Bates (a)), while Dallas Cowboys received Don Meredith. The historical terms are stated at the level the surviving team and transaction records support, without attaching an uncertain draft choice to a named player when that link is not secure.
What Chicago Bears Received
Dallas received the player who became the original face of the franchise. Meredith started 80 games, led the Cowboys into contention during the 1960s and earned three Pro Bowl selections before retiring after the 1968 season. For Chicago Bears, the grade weighs the immediate role of the acquired asset, how long it remained useful, and whether any draft capital created a later roster return. That keeps the evaluation centered on football value rather than the reputation of the names involved.
What Dallas Cowboys Received
Chicago received a third-round choice and used it on Jim Bates. That is legitimate draft value, but it did not come close to matching the importance Meredith had for Dallas both on the field and as the young franchise's public identity. For Dallas Cowboys, the same standard applies: games played, starting value, later movement, and the practical quality of any selection received. A late pick is not treated like a premium asset, and a veteran who never reached the regular season does not receive credit for value that never materialized.
Final Verdict
Dallas earns an A+ because a third-round choice became a franchise quarterback and Ring of Honor figure. Chicago's return was real but ordinary. The gap between Bates's draft value and Meredith's nine-year Cowboys impact makes this a decisive Dallas win. The final grades are Chicago Bears D and Dallas Cowboys A+. The verdict is based on the strongest supportable description of the transaction and the career value that followed. That produces a complete historical judgment while keeping the package faithful to what the available football records can actually establish.