Pittsburgh acquired quarterback Earl Morrall and guard Mike…
Pittsburgh acquired quarterback Earl Morrall and guard Mike Sandusky from San Francisco on September 16, 1957, for linebacker Marv Matuszak and first-round picks in both 1958 and 1959. Morrall started 13 games during roughly a season and a half with the Steelers before being moved again. San Francisco therefore received the stronger direct package, even though its draft choices did not become enduring stars.
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- player Earl Morrall
- player Mike Sandusky
San Francisco 49ers Received
- player Marv Matuszak
- pick 1958 first round pick (#8-Jim Pace)
- pick 1959 first round pick (#8-Dan James)
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Did
The Steelers' own history dates the deal to September 16, 1957: Pittsburgh received Earl Morrall and Mike Sandusky, while San Francisco received Marv Matuszak and two No. 1 draft choices. Draft records identify those picks as No. 8 overall in both 1958 and 1959, used on Jim Pace and Dan James. It was a premium price for a quarterback Pittsburgh hoped could stabilize the position.
Why Pittsburgh Paid Up
Morrall had been the second overall pick only a year earlier, and Pittsburgh was betting on his youth and upside rather than the long reserve career he later became famous for. He did provide real work: 14 games, 13 starts and a 6-7 record for the Steelers. That keeps the Pittsburgh side from being empty value. Sandusky also supplied line depth, giving the Steelers two usable players rather than a pure quarterback gamble.
How San Francisco's Return Aged
The 49ers received excellent asset value on paper. Matuszak was an established linebacker, and two first-round selections gave San Francisco repeated chances to add core talent. Pace and James did not develop into franchise-defining players, so the realized return was less spectacular than the draft capital suggests. Still, Pittsburgh moved Morrall again a little more than a year later, making the original acquisition expensive for such a short stay.
Final Verdict
San Francisco retains the B+ and the winning verdict because it extracted an established defender and two first-rounders from a player it had drafted one year earlier. Pittsburgh stays at D: Morrall contributed and later helped facilitate the Bobby Layne trade, but the direct cost of this transaction was too steep for 13 starts and a short tenure.