Philadelphia acquired quarterback King Hill from the…
Philadelphia acquired quarterback King Hill from the Cardinals on January 7, 1961, for the Eagles’ 1962 first-round pick, No. 12 overall. Hill became a long-term Eagles backup, spot starter and punter, appearing for Philadelphia across eight seasons. St. Louis used the pick on Irv Goode, who became a 10-year Cardinals offensive-line starter, played 134 games for the franchise and earned two Pro Bowls. The Cardinals received the superior long-term return.
Arizona Cardinals Received
- pick 1962 first round pick (#12-Irv Goode)
Philadelphia Eagles Received
- player King Hill
Trade Analysis
Why the Trade Happened
King Hill had been the first overall pick in 1958 but had not established himself as the Cardinals’ long-term answer at quarterback. On January 7, 1961, St. Louis traded him to Philadelphia for the Eagles’ 1962 first-round selection. The move gave Philadelphia experienced quarterback depth behind Sonny Jurgensen while allowing the Cardinals to convert a former premium pick into another first-round opportunity.
What Philadelphia Received
Hill became more useful than a typical backup. He appeared in every game for Philadelphia in 1961, 1962 and 1963, and later handled substantial quarterback duty when needed. NFL records show 1,213 passing yards and 10 touchdowns in 1963, plus additional starts in later seasons. He also became a regular punter for the Eagles, giving the roster value in multiple roles. His Philadelphia tenure stretched across eight seasons before he moved on in 1968.
What St. Louis Received
The Cardinals used the acquired No. 12 pick on Kentucky offensive lineman Irv Goode. That selection became the centerpiece of the trade’s verdict. Goode played for St. Louis from 1962 through 1971, appearing in 134 games for the franchise and becoming a long-term starter at tackle and guard. He earned Pro Bowl selections in 1964 and 1967. Pro Football Reference credits him with 68 approximate value during his Cardinals years, reflecting a decade of high-level durability.
Final Verdict
Arizona/St. Louis Cardinals Win. Philadelphia received real value and deserves a respectable B-: Hill supplied years of quarterback depth, spot-starting production and punting. St. Louis simply received more. Turning Hill into a first-round pick that became a two-time Pro Bowl lineman and 10-year fixture is an excellent outcome. The Cardinals earn an A because Goode provided the sustained, premium-level return that first-round trades are designed to create.