Cleveland sent Pittsburgh the rights to veteran end Darrel…
Cleveland sent Pittsburgh the rights to veteran end Darrel Brewster and a 1960 fifth-round choice that became Abner Haynes, receiving Pittsburgh’s 1960 second-rounder in return. The Browns used that pick on tackle Larry Stephens, who gave them two seasons before becoming part of the later Frank Ryan trade; Pittsburgh never captured Haynes’ AFL stardom.
Cleveland Browns Received
- pick 1960 second round pick (#18- Larry Stephens )
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- other rights to Darrel Brewster / Pete Brewster
- pick 1960 fifth round pick (#55- Abner Haynes )
Trade Analysis
Why the Trade Happened
The 1959 transaction was essentially a mix of veteran rights and draft capital. Pro Sports Transactions traces Pittsburgh’s outgoing 1960 second-round choice, No. 18 overall, to Cleveland, while the Steelers received the rights to Darrel Brewster and Cleveland’s fifth-round choice, No. 55. That fifth-round slot became Abner Haynes. The structure made sense for both clubs: Pittsburgh could add an established end and another selection, while Cleveland consolidated value into an earlier pick.
What Cleveland Received
The Browns used No. 18 on tackle Larry Stephens. His Cleveland tenure was not a star-level payoff, but it produced real roster value. Cleveland’s own draft history later identifies Stephens as part of the package sent to Los Angeles in the 1962 trade that brought quarterback Frank Ryan and halfback Tom Wilson. Ryan subsequently became the starting quarterback of Cleveland’s 1964 NFL championship team. The grade here does not give the Browns full credit for every later Ryan accomplishment, but Stephens retained enough value to become part of a meaningful second transaction.
What Pittsburgh Received
Brewster was nearing the end of his NFL career, and the more intriguing piece was Haynes. In pure talent terms, Haynes became an outstanding professional back, but he signed with the Dallas Texans of the new American Football League rather than play for Pittsburgh. That distinction matters when grading realized trade value. The Steelers held the selection that identified a star, yet they did not receive his production on the field.
Final Verdict
Cleveland Browns Win, narrowly. Neither side landed a direct long-term cornerstone from the immediate transaction, but Cleveland received two seasons from Stephens and preserved enough value to include him in the eventual Frank Ryan deal. Pittsburgh’s fifth-round choice became the best player connected to the transaction, but Haynes’ AFL career did not benefit the Steelers. Cleveland earns a C+ and Pittsburgh a C: a modest edge based on realized value rather than the name recognition of the draft selection.