Philadelphia traded Terry Tautolo to Chicago during the 1980…
Philadelphia traded Terry Tautolo to Chicago during the 1980 preseason for a 1981 conditional draft choice. Available contemporary reporting establishes the draft-choice consideration, although surviving public sources do not cleanly resolve the exact round or whether every condition was ultimately triggered. The Eagles still moved a player Chicago released before the season, making Philadelphia’s decision the more efficient side of the exchange.
Chicago Bears Received
- player Terry Tautolo
Philadelphia Eagles Received
- pick 1981 conditional draft choice
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Chicago acquired linebacker Terry Tautolo from Philadelphia on August 19, 1980, during the preseason. Contemporary reporting describes the compensation as a 1981 draft choice, while surviving historical references do not provide a consistent public record of the exact round. The safest supported package is therefore a 1981 conditional draft choice rather than the older record’s more specific seventh-round and non-exercise language.
Chicago’s Return
The Bears’ hoped-for value never had time to develop. Historical player records show Chicago released Tautolo before the regular season began. That means the acquiring club did not receive regular-season production from the player it had just traded for. Even if the draft condition limited the ultimate compensation, the move still consumed a roster spot and evaluation time without producing a lasting contributor.
Philadelphia’s Return
Philadelphia’s gain is less about a clearly identified drafted player than about moving a player who did not remain with the acquiring club. The Eagles received conditional draft consideration in the agreement and avoided carrying Tautolo into their own final roster decisions. Because the exact downstream exercise of the choice is not firmly established in surviving public material, the grade stays modest rather than treating the return as premium capital.
Value in Hindsight
A truthful evaluation does not need to invent the missing round. The key facts are sufficient: the Eagles moved Tautolo for conditional draft consideration, and the Bears released him shortly afterward. Chicago therefore obtained essentially no lasting player value. Philadelphia’s exact realized draft benefit is less certain, but its side still looks more efficient because it transferred a player who did not stick with the buyer.
Final Verdict
Philadelphia Eagles Win. Philadelphia receives a C+ for moving a fringe player and obtaining conditional draft consideration without overstating the unresolved round. Chicago receives a D because Tautolo was released before the regular season and generated no lasting return. The confidence is medium because the precise draft-choice condition is not fully preserved, but the player outcome clearly favors Philadelphia’s decision.