The extraordinary 1971 Dallas-New England deal was partially…
The extraordinary 1971 Dallas-New England deal was partially unwound days after the original exchange. Duane Thomas returned to Dallas and Carl Garrett returned to New England, while the Patriots retained Halvor Hagen and Honor Jackson in return for New England's 1972 second- and third-round choices. Dallas used those picks on Robert Newhouse and Mike Keller. Thomas then helped the Cowboys win Super Bowl VI, creating the stronger final outcome.
Dallas Cowboys Received
- player Duane Thomas (returned to Dallas in partial rescission)
- pick 1972 second-round pick (No. 35, Robert Newhouse)
- pick 1972 third-round pick (No. 64, Mike Keller)
New England Patriots Received
- player Carl Garrett (returned to New England in partial rescission)
- player Halvor Hagen (retained by New England)
- player Honor Jackson (retained by New England)
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Actually Became
The original 1971 exchange sent Duane Thomas, Halvor Hagen and Honor Jackson from Dallas to New England for Carl Garrett and a first-round asset. Within days, the deal was partially rescinded. Contemporary reporting and club histories show Thomas returning to Dallas and Garrett returning to New England. The remaining exchange left Hagen and Jackson with the Patriots, while Dallas received New England's 1972 second- and third-round choices.
Dallas's Restored Value
The reversal changed the Cowboys' season. Thomas returned and became a major part of the 1971 championship offense, leading the NFL with 11 rushing touchdowns and scoring in Dallas's Super Bowl VI victory. The second-round choice became No. 35 Robert Newhouse, who developed into a long-time Cowboys fullback. The third-round choice, No. 64, became Mike Keller.
New England's Side
The Patriots escaped a relationship with Thomas that had deteriorated almost immediately and recovered Garrett. They also retained defensive end Halvor Hagen and receiver Honor Jackson under the revised terms. That made the resolution useful rather than empty, even though the two draft selections moving to Dallas proved costly in hindsight.
How the Value Aged
The first-round choice associated with the original deal should not be treated as part of the final net package after the partial rescission. The cleanest evaluation follows the revised result: returned stars plus Hagen and Jackson for the second- and third-round selections. Dallas then received both immediate championship value and a durable future contributor in Newhouse.
Final Verdict
Dallas earns an A because Thomas helped deliver a Super Bowl and Newhouse became a long-term Cowboy. New England gets a B for reversing an untenable situation and retaining two players, but the revised draft compensation aged better for Dallas. The Cowboys win.
The rescission ultimately restored Dallas's immediate and long-term advantage decisively.