Washington acquired running back Robert Arnaud from New…
Washington acquired running back Robert Arnaud from New Orleans on July 20, 2001 for a conditional 2002 seventh-round pick. Washington released Arnaud in August, which prevented the condition from triggering, so the pick was not surrendered.
New Orleans Saints Received
- pick conditional 2002 seventh-round pick (condition not met; pick not conveyed)
Washington Commanders Received
- player Robert Arnaud
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
NFL transaction records and contemporary reporting confirm that Washington acquired Robert Arnaud from New Orleans in July 2001 for a conditional draft choice. The Washington Post later supplied the missing term: the compensation was a 2002 seventh-round pick tied to Arnaud remaining with the club.
Washington Return
Arnaud spent training camp with Washington but was among the August 26 cuts. The Washington Post explicitly reported that releasing him allowed the club to avoid surrendering the seventh-round pick. He never appeared in a Washington regular-season game.
New Orleans Return
Because the condition failed, New Orleans did not receive the 2002 seventh-round choice. The Saints therefore received no realized draft asset from the transaction.
Hindsight Comparison
Neither side extracted regular-season value. Washington received only a training-camp look at Arnaud, while New Orleans received no pick once the condition failed.
Final Verdict
Even Trade, C/C. The corrected record is essentially a no-value conditional exchange rather than a Washington win.