New Orleans reacquired running back Don McCall from…
New Orleans reacquired running back Don McCall from Pittsburgh on December 10, 1970, for a 1971 fifth-round draft choice. McCall played the Saints' final two games, starting one and rushing for 63 yards with a touchdown. Multiple historical summaries compete for the exact No. 106 pick lineage, so Pittsburgh receives credit for the fifth-round asset without assigning Larry Brown exclusively to this deal.
New Orleans Saints Received
- player Don McCall
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- pick 1971 fifth-round draft choice (exact selection disputed)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
New Orleans acquired running back Don McCall from Pittsburgh on December 10, 1970, for a 1971 fifth-round draft choice. Historical draft summaries often associate the Saints' No. 106 selection with Pittsburgh, but that same pick is cited in connection with multiple transactions between the clubs. The safest evaluation credits Pittsburgh with the confirmed fifth-round consideration without assigning the entire later career of a specific draftee to this deal.
New Orleans' Return
McCall gave the Saints immediate but very short service. He played two games at the end of the 1970 season, started one, rushed 23 times for 63 yards and scored a touchdown. That is more than a zero-return acquisition, especially for a team seeking late-season backfield help. The limitation is obvious: New Orleans received only two games before McCall's meaningful Saints contribution ended.
Pittsburgh's Return
The Steelers converted McCall into a fifth-round choice. Even without a securely isolated downstream player, that is useful draft capital for a team that was rapidly rebuilding through young talent. Pittsburgh gave up a veteran whose post-trade production consisted of a small late-season sample and received an asset that could be used in the following draft. The basic exchange therefore favored the longer-term roster timeline.
Value in Hindsight
The Saints can point to an actual touchdown and two games of help, which keeps their grade respectable. Pittsburgh can point to a fifth-round selection, but the conflicting No. 106 histories mean the Steelers should not automatically receive full credit for Larry Brown here. At the level that is certain, a fifth-round asset is still a stronger long-term return than two games from a veteran running back.
Final Verdict
Pittsburgh Steelers Win. Pittsburgh earns a B- for converting McCall into a fifth-round choice during an important roster-building period. New Orleans receives a C because McCall contributed immediately but only for two games. The disputed downstream selection keeps Pittsburgh below a higher grade, while the confirmed draft-capital advantage is enough to decide the trade.