Washington swapped young quarterback Tom Flick for veteran…
Washington swapped young quarterback Tom Flick for veteran Tom Owen during the 1982 preseason, seeking experienced depth behind Joe Theismann. Owen filled that reserve role on the eventual Super Bowl champion, while Flick appeared in three games for New England and went 0-for-5 passing. Neither quarterback generated major statistical value, but Washington received the clearer roster fit and more useful insurance at the position.
New England Patriots Received
- player Tom Flick
Washington Commanders Received
- player Tom Owen
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On August 25, 1982, Washington traded quarterback Tom Flick to New England for veteran quarterback Tom Owen. Contemporary reporting described Washington's purpose clearly: Owen was acquired as an experienced backup behind Joe Theismann. Because neither player became a major starter after the trade, the best evaluation focuses on roster utility, availability and whether each team received the depth it was seeking.
Washington Commanders Return
Owen gave Washington the veteran insurance it wanted. He had NFL starting experience and joined a team entering a season that ultimately ended with a Super Bowl championship. His value was not built on a large passing stat line; Theismann remained the starter. Instead, Owen occupied a defined reserve role at the game's most important position and provided experienced depth through the championship run.
New England Patriots Return
Flick was younger, but he did not turn the opportunity into meaningful Patriots production. NFL records show three appearances for New England in 1982. He attempted five passes and completed none of them. The Patriots therefore received only a very small amount of game action from the quarterback they acquired, and he did not develop into a sustained starter for the club.
Value in Hindsight
This was a low-stakes exchange, so neither team deserves an extreme grade. Washington did, however, acquire exactly the type of veteran backup it wanted for a contending roster. New England's return was more speculative and yielded almost no on-field production. The difference is enough to move the trade away from even without overstating Owen's statistical impact.
Final Verdict
Washington wins narrowly. The Commanders earn a C+ for useful veteran quarterback depth during a championship season. New England earns a C- because Flick's Patriots contribution was limited to three appearances and five incomplete passes. The trade mattered more as roster insurance than as a source of headline production.