Pittsburgh acquired Ken Kortas from the St. Louis Cardinals…

The Exchange

Pittsburgh acquired defensive lineman Ken Kortas from the St. Louis Cardinals for quarterback Terry Nofsinger on February 16, 1965. Kortas later described the move as an even player-for-player trade, and transaction listings match that structure. The players' subsequent careers make the hindsight comparison relatively clear.

Arizona Cardinals Return

Pittsburgh acquired Ken Kortas from the St. Louis Cardinals for quarterback Terry Nofsinger on February 16, 1965. Kortas remained with the Steelers through 1968 and became a regular defensive contributor, while Nofsinger produced a more limited Cardinals return. Four seasons of useful Pittsburgh service make the Steelers the clear winner in hindsight.

Pittsburgh Steelers Return

The Cardinals received Terry Nofsinger in a straight player-for-player exchange for Ken Kortas, but the quarterback did not generate the same sustained value that Kortas delivered in Pittsburgh. Kortas spent four seasons with the Steelers and became part of their defensive front. That service gap pushes St. Louis to the weaker side of the deal.

Value in Hindsight

The Steelers acquired the player who stayed and contributed for several seasons. St. Louis received a quarterback with a more limited Cardinals impact. Because neither player became a franchise icon, the trade should not receive extreme grades, but the difference in sustained service supports a comfortable Pittsburgh victory.

Final Verdict

The final call is Pittsburgh Steelers Win. Arizona/St. Louis Cardinals receives a D+ grade and Pittsburgh Steelers receives a B+ grade. The separation reflects documented post-transaction value rather than the reputation of either player before the move, and the grades stay proportional to the limited scale of the exchange. That standard keeps a minor historical transaction from being graded like a franchise-changing blockbuster.