Baltimore sent Ted Hendricks and a 1975 second-round choice…
Baltimore sent Ted Hendricks and a 1975 second-round choice to Green Bay for linebacker Tom MacLeod and the 1975 eighth-round pick that became Mario Cage. Hendricks gave the Packers only one season before leaving for Oakland, but that season was exceptional: he earned first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors. Baltimore's return did not approach that peak value, leaving Green Bay ahead despite the short tenure.
Green Bay Packers Received
- player Ted Hendricks
- pick 1975 second round pick (#28) [later traded with 1975 first round pick (#9-Mike Fanning), 1975 third round pick (#61-Geoff Reece), 1976 first round pick (#8-Dennis Lick) and 1976 second round pick (#39-Pat Thomas (S.)) to Los Angeles Rams for John Hadl ]
Indianapolis Colts Received
- player Tom MacLeod
- pick 1975 eighth round pick (#192-Mario Cage)
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Actually Did
Baltimore dealt Ted Hendricks and a 1975 second-round pick to Green Bay for Tom MacLeod and a 1975 eighth-round selection. Draft-trade records identify the later pick as No. 192, Mario Cage. Green Bay's No. 28 selection subsequently became part of the controversial package sent to the Rams for quarterback John Hadl, but that later decision should be separated from the value created by this exchange.
Why Hendricks Changed the Calculation
Hendricks immediately played at an elite level for the Packers. In 1974 he started every game, intercepted five passes, reached the Pro Bowl, and earned first-team All-Pro recognition. Green Bay received only one season because Hendricks left for Oakland afterward, yet one season at that level carries considerably more weight than an ordinary short-term rental.
What Baltimore Received
MacLeod supplied linebacker depth, and the late-round selection offered another roster chance, but neither asset created a comparable payoff. The Colts did not turn the return into a player with sustained high-end impact. That makes the loss of Hendricks especially costly even though Baltimore also moved a second-round pick in the deal.
Why the Hadl Trade Should Not Rewrite This One
Green Bay later included the acquired second-rounder in the expensive John Hadl transaction. That was a separate choice by the Packers. Evaluating this trade on its own, Green Bay acquired a Hall of Fame-caliber defender at the height of his powers and received an All-Pro season before free agency ended the relationship.
Final Verdict
Green Bay earns a B+ because the Hendricks season was outstanding, even if the tenure was frustratingly brief. Baltimore receives a C+ because MacLeod and the late pick provided some return but never matched the quality leaving town. The Packers win the direct exchange on realized football value.