Pittsburgh acquired Ernie Holmes from New England for cash in…
Pittsburgh acquired Ernie Holmes from New England for cash in August 1972 and turned a minor purchase into a core defensive contributor. Holmes played six seasons for the Steelers, became a regular starter on the Steel Curtain front and was part of the franchise’s first two Super Bowl championship teams. New England received only cash, making Pittsburgh the clear long-term winner.
New England Patriots Received
- other cash
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- player Ernie Holmes / Fat Holmes
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On August 7, 1972, Pittsburgh sent cash to New England for defensive lineman Ernie Holmes. Steelers historical material records the cash transaction directly, and Holmes’ career record shows that his meaningful NFL tenure began immediately afterward in Pittsburgh. The exchange carried no draft capital and no second player, so the value comparison is unusually clean: cash for a young defender who soon became part of a championship unit.
Pittsburgh Steelers Return
Holmes developed from a reserve into a regular defensive tackle and became one of the recognizable members of the Steel Curtain. He appeared in 14 games in 1972, started 11 in 1973, then started 13 games in both 1974 and 1975. Modern historical sack totals credit him with 11.5 sacks in 1974 and 8.5 in 1975. Those seasons also coincided with Pittsburgh’s first two Super Bowl championships, giving the Steelers enormous realized football value from a cash-only acquisition.
New England Patriots Return
New England received cash rather than a player or draft choice. That may have reflected Holmes’ standing at the time, but it left the Patriots with no football asset capable of matching his later production. The transaction therefore looks increasingly unfavorable as Holmes’ Pittsburgh role expanded. There is no downstream pick to credit and no countervailing roster outcome that narrows the gap.
Value in Hindsight
The scale of the original consideration matters. Pittsburgh did not surrender a premium pick, a starter or even a future asset; it paid cash and received six productive seasons from a defensive lineman who started on championship teams. Holmes was not the singular star of those defenses, so an A rather than an A+ keeps the grade proportional, but the return still dwarfs the cost. New England’s cash return has little lasting football value in a hindsight framework.
Final Verdict
Pittsburgh wins decisively. The Steelers receive an A for converting cash into a long-term starter on an iconic defense and two championship rosters. New England receives a D because the Patriots gave up the only durable football asset in the transaction and did not retain any draft or player value that could offset Holmes’ later production.