Dallas Cowboys received Steve Meilinger from Green Bay…
Dallas Cowboys received Steve Meilinger from Green Bay Packers in the 1961-08-07 exchange. Meilinger did not record a Dallas regular-season appearance, and Joe Thorne did not produce an NFL career for Green Bay, leaving both clubs with little direct return. Measured by what Dallas Cowboys actually realized after the deal, the return supports a C- grade and represents roughly even direct value. The overall judgment is Even Trade.
Dallas Cowboys Received
- player Steve Meilinger
Green Bay Packers Received
- pick 1962 twelfth round pick (#158-Joe Thorne)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1961-08-07, Dallas Cowboys received Steve Meilinger, while Green Bay Packers received 1962 twelfth round pick (#158-Joe Thorne). The deal is judged by the value each club actually realized after the exchange. Meilinger did not record a Dallas regular-season appearance, and Joe Thorne did not produce an NFL career for Green Bay, leaving both clubs with little direct return. That outcome gives enough evidence to compare the sides without inflating the importance of a relatively small transaction.
Dallas Cowboys Return
For Dallas Cowboys, the return was Steve Meilinger. The relevant question is what that asset contributed to Dallas Cowboys, not what it might have become elsewhere. The documented results support a C- grade and identify this as roughly even direct value. That assessment stays tied to direct team benefit rather than reputation, draft slot, or hypothetical upside.
Green Bay Packers Return
For Green Bay Packers, the return was 1962 twelfth round pick (#158-Joe Thorne). The same standard applies: games played, starts, production, or the eventual use of an acquired pick when that outcome can be identified. The evidence supports a C- grade and makes this roughly even direct value. That comparison is more useful than judging the transaction by the names or asset labels alone.
Value in Hindsight
Hindsight clarifies what each club truly received. A player who later succeeded elsewhere does not create value for a team that no longer controlled him, and a draft choice matters according to what the acquiring club actually obtained. Here, the post-trade results provide a clear enough record to keep the grades proportional to the deal's real impact.
Final Verdict
The final call is Even Trade. Dallas Cowboys receives a C-, while Green Bay Packers receives a C-. Those marks reflect the supported package and the direct football value each side captured. The verdict does not depend on hypothetical development; it follows the outcomes that can be tied to this exchange.