Green Bay received linebacker Robert Thomas at the 2005…
Green Bay received linebacker Robert Thomas at the 2005 roster deadline and got a useful partial season from him. Thomas gave the Packers defensive depth and real game participation, so the return was not a miss. However, the Rams received both defensive snaps and substantial kickoff-return production from Chris Johnson, leaving Green Bay with the lesser side and a C+.
Green Bay Packers Received
- player Robert Thomas
Los Angeles Rams Received
- player Chris Johnson
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Green Bay and St. Louis swapped Robert Thomas and Chris Johnson at the 2005 roster deadline. Both players were useful depth pieces, so this was not a blockbuster and should not be graded like one. The separation comes from the breadth of Johnson's contribution for the Rams. Thomas helped Green Bay during the season, but Johnson added meaningful special-teams production on top of his defensive role.
Green Bay Packers Return
Thomas gave the Packers a legitimate return rather than disappearing after the trade. He joined Green Bay's linebacker group and contributed during the season, providing the kind of short-term depth a September player swap is often designed to create. That makes a positive-neutral grade appropriate. The limitation is that his impact was narrower and less distinctive than what St. Louis received from Johnson.
Los Angeles Rams Return
Johnson played 13 games for the Rams and provided notable value as a kickoff returner. His 857 kickoff-return yards and one return touchdown gave St. Louis field-position and scoring value that went beyond ordinary reserve cornerback duty. In a trade of two depth players, that added special-teams production is meaningful because it created a second way for the acquired player to affect games.
Value in Hindsight
Both clubs received something useful, which rules out a harsh grade for Green Bay. The Rams simply received more. Johnson's combination of game availability and kickoff-return production created a clearer, more measurable return than Thomas' partial-season linebacker role. The gap supports a Rams win, but the modest size of the original transaction keeps the grades from moving into premium territory.
Final Verdict
Los Angeles Rams Win. The Rams earn a B- for getting defensive depth plus significant return-game production from Johnson. Green Bay receives a C+ because Thomas contributed, just not enough to match the value St. Louis realized.