Dallas and Chicago exchanged five players plus a future…
Dallas and Chicago exchanged five players plus a future sixth-round pick on August 17, 1993. The Cowboys received Kelly Blackwell, Markus Paul and John Roper; the Bears received Vinson Smith, Barry Minter and the 1995 pick that became Carl Reeves. Dallas quickly moved on from all three incoming players, while Smith became a regular Chicago linebacker for four seasons. Even Jimmy Johnson later acknowledged Chicago had gotten the better of the swap.
Chicago Bears Received
- player Vinson Smith
- player Barry Minter
- pick 1995 6th round pick (198th overall, Carl Reeves)
Dallas Cowboys Received
- player Kelly Blackwell
- player Markus Paul
- player John Roper
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Dallas and Chicago completed a large preseason swap on August 17, 1993. The Cowboys received tight end Kelly Blackwell, safety Markus Paul and linebacker John Roper. Chicago received linebackers Vinson Smith and Barry Minter plus Dallas' 1995 sixth-round pick, later No. 198 Carl Reeves.
Dallas Cowboys Return
The Cowboys' side unraveled almost immediately. Paul did not remain in Dallas and was back with Chicago before the regular season. Blackwell appeared in only two games before being released in October. Roper lasted longer, but Dallas cut him during the season after a well-publicized disciplinary issue. The defending champions had tried to reshape depth with players familiar to former Cowboys assistant Dave Wannstedt, yet the incoming group never settled into meaningful roles.
Chicago Bears Return
Smith became the centerpiece of the deal for Chicago. He played all 16 games in 1993 and remained with the Bears through 1996, producing several seasons of regular linebacker work. Minter added another young linebacker, and the future sixth-round pick supplied a third asset. Even if none became a star, Chicago received far more sustained roster value than Dallas.
Value in Hindsight
The imbalance was apparent quickly enough that Jimmy Johnson publicly conceded Chicago had gotten the better of the exchange. That contemporary reaction matches the longer view. Dallas cycled through its incoming trio within months, while Smith alone gave Chicago multiple seasons. The sixth-round selection only widened the difference.
Final Verdict
Chicago earns a B and Dallas a D+. The Bears turned three outgoing players into a dependable multi-year linebacker, another young defender and future draft capital. Dallas received almost no lasting value from Blackwell, Paul or Roper. For a deal with so many moving pieces, the winner became unusually clear.