Chicago acquired the rights to Bobby Layne from Pittsburgh…
Chicago acquired the rights to Bobby Layne from Pittsburgh after the Steelers used the third overall choice in the 1948 draft on the Texas quarterback. The Bears gave up the rights to Ray Evans. Layne spent only one season in Chicago, but the Bears later moved him for two first-round choices, extending the value of the asset. Evans had one productive Pittsburgh season, so Chicago wins without making Pittsburgh's return worthless.
Chicago Bears Received
- other rights to Bobby Layne
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- other rights to Ray Evans (a)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Pittsburgh selected Bobby Layne third overall in the 1948 NFL Draft, but the quarterback was not a fit for the Steelers' situation and did not remain with the club. Pittsburgh traded Layne's rights to Chicago for the rights to Ray Evans. Contemporary Pittsburgh reporting confirms the exchange and notes that Layne was moved immediately after being drafted. The deal therefore compares one premium quarterback asset with a player Pittsburgh expected to use right away.
Chicago Bears Return
Chicago acquired the rights to Bobby Layne from Pittsburgh after the Steelers used the third overall choice in the 1948 draft on the Texas quarterback. The Bears gave up the rights to Ray Evans. Layne spent only one season in Chicago, but the Bears later moved him for two first-round choices, extending the value of the asset. Evans had one productive Pittsburgh season, so Chicago wins without making Pittsburgh's return worthless.
Pittsburgh Steelers Return
Pittsburgh traded Bobby Layne's rights to Chicago for Ray Evans after drafting Layne third overall. Evans started eight games for the 1948 Steelers, rushed for 343 yards, and added 93 receiving yards, so Pittsburgh did receive usable short-term help. Chicago still extracted more from Layne's rights, first using him in 1948 and then trading him for two future first-round selections, which creates a clear value gap.
Value in Hindsight
Layne's later Hall of Fame career elsewhere should not simply be credited to Chicago, because the Bears did not keep him for the seasons that made him famous. The stronger case for Chicago is more concrete: it acquired his rights, got a season of use, and then converted him into two first-round selections. Pittsburgh got one useful season from Evans. That is a meaningful return, but it does not match the duration or flexibility Chicago extracted from the same transaction chain.
Final Verdict
Chicago Bears Win. Chicago keeps an A because Layne's rights remained a premium asset even after his short Bears tenure and produced two more first-rounders when moved again. Pittsburgh rises to a C rather than a failing grade because Evans was a real 1948 contributor. Chicago's advantage is clear, while the grades distinguish between a bad relative outcome and a return that produced no football value at all.