St. Louis received $100 from Chicago for Jeff Lee. The amount…
St. Louis received $100 from Chicago for Jeff Lee. The amount was tiny even for a minor transaction, but it was the only realized return in the deal because Lee was released by the Bears before the 1981 regular season. The Cardinals therefore received a tangible, if negligible, asset while surrendering no player production that Chicago ultimately realized.
Arizona Cardinals Received
- other $100 cash
Chicago Bears Received
- player Jeff Lee
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Chicago acquired Jeff Lee from St. Louis for $100 in August 1981. The Bears' historical trade ledger preserves the transaction and the exact cash amount. The price was nominal, but the outcome still has to be judged by what happened next: Lee did not remain with Chicago into the regular season.
Arizona Cardinals Return
The Cardinals received $100 in cash. That is not meaningful roster-building capital and should not be treated like a valuable draft asset, but it was a completed, tangible return. More importantly, St. Louis gave up a player who ultimately produced no regular-season value for Chicago. The Cardinals therefore converted Lee into a small asset without watching him become a contributor for the acquiring club.
Chicago Bears Return
Lee's Bears tenure ended before the season. Pro Football Archives records Chicago releasing him on August 24, 1981, and the regular-season record does not show Bears service afterward. Chicago therefore received no games, starts, or production from the player it purchased. The low $100 cost keeps the failure minor, but it does not create positive football value.
Value in Hindsight
The original record pointed in opposite directions by grading St. Louis higher while naming Chicago the winner. The actual outcome supports the grade direction, not the old verdict. Chicago spent a token amount for a player who did not make the regular-season roster, while St. Louis received the cash and lost no subsequent Chicago production of consequence.
Final Verdict
The Cardinals win this minor exchange. Arizona earns C+ and Chicago earns D. The grade gap is intentionally restrained because the consideration was only $100, but the realized outcome still favors the side that received something over the side that received no regular-season service.