Green Bay acquired running back John Stephens from New…
Green Bay acquired running back John Stephens from New England on March 30, 1993, not in 1994 as some later transaction tables display. Contemporary reporting and Patriots draft records place the deal in 1993 for Green Bay's fourth-round pick, No. 99. Stephens started five games for the Packers, while New England later turned the pick into two selections. The Patriots win narrowly.
Green Bay Packers Received
- player John Stephens
New England Patriots Received
- pick 1993 4th round pick (99th overall subsequently traded, Lewis Bush)
Trade Analysis
Why the Deal Happened
The Patriots were reshaping their roster in the spring of 1993 and dealt former Pro Bowl running back John Stephens to Green Bay for a fourth-round selection. Contemporary March 31 reports said the trade had occurred the previous day, and New England's own historical records list it on March 30, 1993. That timing also matches the asset itself: Green Bay surrendered the 99th pick in the 1993 draft, making a 1994 trade date impossible.
What Each Team Received
Stephens played five games for Green Bay in 1993, starting all five and rushing for 173 yards with one touchdown before his Packers tenure ended. New England received No. 99 and later traded that selection to San Diego for No. 110 and No. 138. The Patriots used those choices on defensive back Corwin Brown and tight end Richard Griffith. The key point is that New England retained and multiplied the draft value rather than simply watching another club use No. 99.
How the Value Developed
Green Bay's gamble was understandable because Stephens had once been a 1,000-yard rusher and offered veteran backfield experience. The actual Packers return, however, was brief. New England received a fourth-round asset and converted it into two later selections, while Green Bay got only five regular-season games before moving Stephens again. Even without treating every later career outcome as belonging entirely to the original pick, the Patriots created more durable roster opportunity from the exchange.
Final Verdict
New England Patriots Win. Green Bay earns a C- because Stephens did provide five starts, but the acquisition never became a lasting answer. New England earns a B- for converting a veteran it was ready to move into useful draft capital and then increasing its number of selections. The corrected 1993 date is important to understanding the transaction, but the verdict rests on the football value each club actually received.