Pittsburgh acquired former star receiver Harlon Hill from…
Pittsburgh acquired former star receiver Harlon Hill from Chicago for fourth-round picks in 1963 and 1964. Hill's peak had already passed; he caught only seven passes for 101 yards in seven games for the Steelers before finishing the 1962 season in Detroit. Chicago received two future selections, and the 1964 pick later became part of another Bears-Steelers deal tied to the 1965 first-round selection used on Dick Butkus. The direct trade strongly favored Chicago.
Chicago Bears Received
- pick 1963 4th round pick (52nd overall, Charley Mitchell)
- pick 1964 4th round pick (51st overall, later traded back to Pittsburgh)
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- player Harlon Hill
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Pittsburgh acquired veteran receiver Harlon Hill from Chicago in July 1962. The Steelers sent fourth-round selections in the 1963 and 1964 drafts. Hill had been a dominant receiver earlier in his Bears career, but the transaction came well after his peak seasons.
Pittsburgh Steelers Return
Hill's reputation was much larger than his remaining production. He played seven games for Pittsburgh in 1962 and caught seven passes for 101 yards without a touchdown. He did not become the veteran receiving weapon the Steelers hoped to revive and finished the season with Detroit. For two future fourth-round choices, that brief return was disappointing.
Chicago Bears Return
Chicago recognized the stage of Hill's career and converted him into two draft assets. The 1963 selection became No. 52, Charley Mitchell. The 1964 fourth-round choice later moved back to Pittsburgh in a separate Bears-Steelers transaction. That later deal eventually helped Chicago obtain the 1965 first-round pick used on Dick Butkus, although that entire chain should be treated as downstream history rather than part of this original trade.
Value in Hindsight
The basic transaction already favored Chicago without needing the Butkus connection. The Bears received two mid-round selections for a player who gave Pittsburgh only seven games and minimal receiving production. The later reuse of one acquired asset simply illustrates how draft capital can preserve strategic value long after a veteran's playing window closes.
Final Verdict
Chicago earns a B+ and Pittsburgh a D+. The Steelers bought the name and résumé of a former star but received very little remaining production. The Bears correctly sold at the end of Hill's useful tenure and received two future picks, making this a clear Chicago victory.