The player-for-player portion immediately broke down when Pat…
The player-for-player portion immediately broke down when Pat Thomas failed the Raiders' physical and never played for them. Monte Jackson nevertheless remained with the Rams and appeared in five 1983 games with one start and 11 tackles; the conditional seventh-rounder was never exercised. Los Angeles therefore received the only regular-season value, producing a modest C-to-D Rams win.
Las Vegas Raiders Received
- player Pat Thomas (S.)
Los Angeles Rams Received
- player Monte Jackson
- pick conditional seventh round pick (not exercised)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Los Angeles and the Raiders attempted a veteran-cornerback exchange in July 1983, with Monte Jackson going to the Rams and Pat Thomas going to the Raiders. The transaction unraveled almost immediately. Contemporary UPI reporting said Thomas failed the Raiders' physical because of a knee injury and that the Raiders intended to return him. Historical transaction records mark Thomas' Raiders move as voided after the failed physical.
Los Angeles Raiders Return
The Raiders received no regular-season football value from Thomas. His NFL statistics end with the 1982 Rams season; he never appeared in a game for the Raiders. That makes his side of the transaction a verified no-impact outcome rather than a veteran-name return. The failed physical is also why this deal should not be graded as though Oakland acquired the earlier Pro Bowl version of Thomas.
Los Angeles Rams Return
Jackson did remain with the Rams long enough to contribute. Pro Football Archives records his July 1983 move back to Los Angeles, and NFL statistics credit him with five Rams games, one start and 11 tackles during the 1983 season. He was released, re-signed and released again that fall, so the value was brief. The conditional seventh-round component attached to the arrangement was never exercised and created no draft return.
Value in Hindsight
That leaves a small but real asymmetry. Los Angeles received five games and one start from Jackson; the Raiders received zero games from Thomas. Neither side got meaningful long-term value, and the Rams' unexercised conditional pick adds nothing. Still, an even verdict obscures that only one team received any regular-season contribution after the transaction.
Final Verdict
Los Angeles Rams Win, with the Rams at C and the Raiders at D. Jackson's return lasted only five games and one start, and the conditional pick produced nothing, so Los Angeles' edge is modest. The Raiders receive D because Thomas failed the physical and never appeared in a regular-season game for them.