Chicago acquired the rights to George McAfee and Joe Mihal…
Chicago acquired the rights to George McAfee and Joe Mihal from Philadelphia on February 15, 1940 for veteran linemen Russ Thompson and Milt Trost. McAfee became a Hall of Fame two-way star and helped the Bears win NFL championships in 1940, 1941 and 1946. Later accounts sometimes fold separate Bears-Eagles moves into this deal, but the direct February transaction identifies these four principals.
Chicago Bears Received
- player Rights to George McAfee
- player Rights to Joe Mihal
Philadelphia Eagles Received
- player Russ Thompson
- player Milt Trost
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
The cleanest contemporary account places this trade on February 15, 1940: Philadelphia sent the rights to George McAfee and Joe Mihal to Chicago for veteran linemen Russ Thompson and Milt Trost. Packers historical material independently describes the same four-player exchange. That core transaction is distinct from other Bears-Eagles moves later in 1940 involving Dick Bassi, Les McDonald and unsigned draft rights.
Chicago Bears Return
Chicago acquired the rights to George McAfee and Joe Mihal from Philadelphia on February 15, 1940 for veteran linemen Russ Thompson and Milt Trost. McAfee became a Hall of Fame two-way star and helped the Bears win NFL championships in 1940, 1941 and 1946. Later accounts sometimes fold separate Bears-Eagles moves into this deal, but the direct February transaction identifies these four principals.
Philadelphia Eagles Return
Philadelphia converted the draft rights to George McAfee and Joe Mihal into experienced linemen Russ Thompson and Milt Trost on February 15, 1940. Thompson played 11 games with five starts for the Eagles that season, while Trost appeared in seven games with two starts. The exchange addressed an immediate line need, but McAfee’s Hall of Fame career made the long-term value gap enormous.
Value in Hindsight
Mihal also joined Chicago, but McAfee alone overwhelms the comparison. Philadelphia received usable veterans for assets it was willing to move; Chicago received a Hall of Fame game-breaker who became part of three championship teams.
Final Verdict
Chicago Bears Win. Chicago earns an A+ for turning two veteran linemen into McAfee and Mihal. Philadelphia receives a B- for addressing a real roster need, but the long-term cost of surrendering McAfee was extraordinary.