Los Angeles acquired the rights to tight end Charle Young by…
Los Angeles acquired the rights to tight end Charle Young by sending the rights to quarterback Ron Jaworski to Philadelphia. Young had already been a productive Eagle, but his Rams stay did not approach the franchise-changing value Jaworski delivered in Philadelphia. The Rams received a legitimate veteran, yet surrendering a decade-long Eagles starter makes this a clear loss in hindsight.
Los Angeles Rams Received
- other rights to Charle Young
Philadelphia Eagles Received
- other rights to Ron Jaworski
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Before the 1977 season, Los Angeles and Philadelphia exchanged the rights to two established players: tight end Charle Young went to the Rams, while quarterback Ron Jaworski went to the Eagles. The structure was unusually clean, making the later value comparison largely a question of what each veteran delivered after changing clubs.
What Philadelphia Received
Jaworski became the centerpiece of the Eagles' offense for a decade. Philadelphia credits him with 2,088 completions, 26,963 passing yards and 175 touchdowns during his Eagles tenure. He also started 116 consecutive games, earned a Pro Bowl selection and guided the 1980 team to an NFC championship and Super Bowl XV. That is franchise-level value from a rights swap.
What Los Angeles Received
Young was not an empty return. He had already established himself as a high-level tight end in Philadelphia and gave Los Angeles a veteran receiving option. The problem is comparative value: his Rams chapter was much shorter and less consequential than Jaworski's run as Philadelphia's starting quarterback.
Why the Value Separated
Quarterback longevity magnified Philadelphia's return. The Eagles solved the sport's most important position for years and built a conference champion around Jaworski. Los Angeles acquired a useful player, but it gave away the rights to a quarterback who became one of the defining figures of the Eagles' late-1970s and early-1980s rise.
Final Verdict
Philadelphia receives an A and Los Angeles receives a C-. The Eagles won the trade because Jaworski supplied elite longevity, high-end production and a Super Bowl appearance, while Young's Rams value could not match that impact.