Chicago sent veteran lineman Dom Sigillo to Detroit on August…
Chicago sent veteran lineman Dom Sigillo to Detroit on August 18, 1945, but surviving evidence does not identify what the Bears received. John Schiechl was on Chicago's 1945 roster, yet no reviewed source ties his move to the Sigillo transaction as consideration. With Chicago's return unresolved and Sigillo playing eight games for Detroit, the deal cannot support a documented winner.
Chicago Bears Received
- other historical unspecified consideration (identity not established)
Detroit Lions Received
- player Dom Sigillo
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On August 18, 1945, Chicago traded Dom Sigillo to Detroit. A September 6 Grosse Pointe News item described Sigillo as obtained in a trade with Chicago, and career records place him with the Lions that season. The researched sources do not identify Detroit's consideration. John Schiechl's presence on Chicago's roster is not enough to make him part of this package.
Chicago Bears Return
Chicago's return must remain historically unspecified. Schiechl did play for the Bears in 1945, but none of the reviewed sources directly connects his movement to the August 18 Sigillo transaction. Treating him as consideration would convert a same-period roster fact into an unsupported package claim. No measurable Bears return can therefore be assigned from this transaction.
Detroit Lions Return
Detroit received Sigillo, a veteran lineman who had spent 1943 and 1944 with Chicago. Pro Football Reference credits him with eight games and two starts for Detroit in 1945. The stint was short, and he did not play another NFL season. Detroit therefore received real but limited on-field value from the one asset securely tied to the transaction.
Value in Hindsight
The known side of the exchange produced eight games for Detroit, while Chicago's consideration remains unidentified. That prevents a fair comparison of realized returns. The evidence supports the direction of Sigillo's move but not the package previously attached to it, so neither club can be shown to have received the stronger value.
Final Verdict
Even Trade with C grades on both sides is the defensible evaluation. Detroit obtained limited short-term production from Sigillo, while Chicago's return cannot be measured from the surviving evidence. The neutral result reflects an unresolved comparison rather than a claim that the two sides were proven equal.