San Diego received cash; Denver received Ray Jones.…
San Diego received cash; Denver received Ray Jones. Contemporary reporting and player transaction history show San Diego sold Ray Jones to Denver on August 1, 1973. Denver released Jones before he produced regular-season service there, and he later appeared for New Orleans instead. The hindsight grades are D+ for Denver Broncos and C+ for San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers, producing a Los Angeles Chargers Win verdict.
Denver Broncos Received
- player Ray Jones
Los Angeles Chargers Received
- other cash
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
San Diego received cash; Denver received Ray Jones. Contemporary reporting and player transaction history show San Diego sold Ray Jones to Denver on August 1, 1973. Denver released Jones before he produced regular-season service there, and he later appeared for New Orleans instead. The fairest hindsight test is the actual regular-season service, durable asset value, and opportunity cost each club realized rather than the reputation attached to the names on the transaction date.
Denver Broncos Return
San Diego received cash; Denver received Ray Jones. Contemporary reporting and player transaction history show San Diego sold Ray Jones to Denver on August 1, 1973. Denver released Jones before he produced regular-season service there, and he later appeared for New Orleans instead. The hindsight grades are D+ for Denver Broncos and C+ for San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers, producing a Los Angeles Chargers Win verdict.
San Diego Chargers Return
From San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers's side, the same exchange is judged by what actually remained after the transaction. Contemporary reporting and player transaction history show San Diego sold Ray Jones to Denver on August 1, 1973. Denver released Jones before he produced regular-season service there, and he later appeared for New Orleans instead. That balance supports a C+ grade for San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers and a D+ for Denver Broncos, with the final call at Los Angeles Chargers Win.
Value in Hindsight
Contemporary reporting and player transaction history show San Diego sold Ray Jones to Denver on August 1, 1973. Denver released Jones before he produced regular-season service there, and he later appeared for New Orleans instead. That is the key separation. A minor transaction can still deserve a positive grade when the cost was controlled and the return became useful, while a low-cost miss should remain a modest deduction rather than an extreme failure. The historical terms and subsequent service are specific enough to compare the clubs without overstating either side's gain.
Final Verdict
The final call is Los Angeles Chargers Win. Denver Broncos receives a D+, while San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers receives a C+. Those grades reflect the verified package, the value that actually materialized after the deal, and the limited scale of the exchange.