Pittsburgh acquired rookie end Tom Jelley from Chicago for…
Pittsburgh acquired rookie end Tom Jelley from Chicago for the Steelers' 1952 eighth-round pick. Jelley appeared in five games without a start for Pittsburgh in 1951 and never played another NFL season.
Chicago Bears Received
- pick 1952 eighth-round pick (#90-Bill Bishop)
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- player Tom Jelley
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
ProSportsTransactions maps the deal directly: Chicago traded Tom Jelley to Pittsburgh for the Steelers' 1952 eighth-round choice at No. 90. Its transaction ledger marks July 1, 1951 as an approximate date, so the player-pick linkage is stronger than the exact day. Pro Football Archives independently shows Chicago drafting Bill Bishop at No. 90 from Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Return
Jelley gave the Steelers only a brief rookie-season contribution. Pro Football Reference credits him with five games, no starts and one eight-yard reception in 1951. That was his entire NFL regular-season career.
Chicago Return
The Bears used No. 90 on North Texas defensive tackle Bill Bishop. Chicago's own historical feature credits Bishop with nine Bears seasons from 1952 through 1960, 107 games and 103 starts, plus a 1954 Pro Bowl selection. Pro Football Reference likewise shows him as a fixture at right defensive tackle throughout that span.
Hindsight Comparison
The value gap is enormous. Pittsburgh received five reserve appearances from Jelley. Chicago turned the future eighth-round choice into a nine-year defensive starter and Pro Bowler who remained in the lineup for more than a hundred games.
Final Verdict
Chicago Bears Win. An A reflects decade-level starting value from a late-round trade return. Pittsburgh receives a D because Jelley contributed only five games and no starts before his NFL career ended.