The Chargers acquired safety Martin Bayless from Buffalo for…

The Exchange

San Diego acquired Martin Bayless from Buffalo in late August 1987 for defensive back Wayne Davis. The established transaction date here remains August 26; other durable records place the move on August 27 or August 30, a minor timing difference that does not change the package. The football exchange itself is clear: Bayless for Davis, one defensive back for another. San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers Return Bayless became an immediate starter for the Chargers. He started all 12 games in 1987, then remained a major part of the secondary in subsequent seasons, including 16 starts in 1989. Across his San Diego tenure he supplied tackles, sacks, interceptions, and lineup continuity. The Chargers obtained multiple years of starting defensive-back value from a simple player swap. Buffalo Bills Return Buffalo received Wayne Davis, but his Bills contribution was much smaller than Bayless' Chargers run. Davis did not become a comparable multi-year starter or centerpiece of the Buffalo secondary. The Bills therefore gave up the player who produced the more durable post-trade career without receiving draft compensation or another asset to offset the difference. Value in Hindsight Straight player-for-player trades are unusually easy to evaluate when both careers unfold immediately after the move. Bayless became a dependable starter and remained with the Chargers for several years, while Davis did not create equivalent value in Buffalo. The absence of extra picks or conditions means there is little else to balance against that direct playing-time gap. Final Verdict The Chargers earn a B+ and Buffalo a C-. San Diego received a multi-year starting safety for a player who gave Buffalo much less sustained value. Bayless' immediate starting role and continued production create clear separation, making this a strong Chargers win in hindsight.