NFL Trade Verdict

Chicago Bears Win

Summary: Pittsburgh traded Bobby Layne's draft rights to Chicago for rights to Ray Evans, a move that aged disastrously once Layne became a Hall of Fame quarterback. Analysis: Arguably the single worst asset-management decision in Steelers history — trading away a future Hall of Fame quarterback for a player who never appeared in an NFL game, then having to reacquire Layne years later at massive cost. The draft-rights context matters, but it does not rescue Pittsburgh's side of the ledger.

December 31, 1947 Pittsburgh SteelersChicago Bears Confidence: high Tier: major

Trade Summary

Summary: Pittsburgh traded Bobby Layne's draft rights to Chicago for rights to Ray Evans, a move that aged disastrously once Layne became a Hall of Fame quarterback. Analysis: Arguably the single worst asset-management decision in Steelers history — trading away a future Hall of Fame quarterback for a player who never appeared in an NFL game, then having to reacquire Layne years later at massive cost. The draft-rights context matters, but it does not rescue Pittsburgh's side of the ledger.

Trade Analysis

Summary: Pittsburgh traded Bobby Layne's draft rights to Chicago for rights to Ray Evans, a move that aged disastrously once Layne became a Hall of Fame quarterback. Analysis: Arguably the single worst asset-management decision in Steelers history — trading away a future Hall of Fame quarterback for a player who never appeared in an NFL game, then having to reacquire Layne years later at massive cost. The draft-rights context matters, but it does not rescue Pittsburgh's side of the ledger. Chicago Bears received rights to Bobby Layne and gave up rights to Ray Evans (a). The partner grade reflects the same value curve from the opposite side of the transaction.