San Diego sent Jesse Bendross to Tampa Bay for a 1987…
San Diego sent Jesse Bendross to Tampa Bay for a 1987 twelfth-round return, but neither side ultimately produced regular-season value from the exchange. Tampa Bay released Bendross before the 1986 season, and the 1987 draft ledger shows the Buccaneers retained their own No. 308 selection while the Chargers used only their native No. 310 slot in round 12. C grades for both teams and an Even Trade verdict fit the realized outcome.
Los Angeles Chargers Received
- pick 1987 conditional twelfth-round pick (selection not identified)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Received
- player Jesse Bendross
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
San Diego sent Jesse Bendross to Tampa Bay for future-round consideration in 1986. Chargers transaction histories document the future-round return, and the transaction record identifies it as conditional. The 1987 draft results show no additional selection conveying to San Diego from that condition.
San Diego Chargers Return
San Diego did not receive a usable draft asset from the listed conditional return. The 1987 draft ledger shows Tampa Bay making the first selection of round 12 at No. 308, Scott Cooper, with no “from” notation, while San Diego selected Marcus Greenwood at No. 310. San Diego’s 1987 draft list contains only that No. 310 twelfth-rounder. In other words, the draft record does not show an additional Tampa-origin twelfth-round choice reaching the Chargers. That makes the conditional pick a verified no-impact asset rather than a mystery player who should be credited to San Diego.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Return
Tampa Bay also received no regular-season contribution from Bendross. Contemporary transaction reporting lists the Buccaneers cutting him in August 1986, before the regular season. Pro Football Reference’s transaction log likewise records Tampa Bay releasing Bendross during that preseason. His NFL career statistics contain no Buccaneers regular-season games, so Tampa Bay’s player return ended as a training-camp evaluation rather than a roster contribution.
Value in Hindsight
Both sides therefore came away empty in practical football terms. Tampa Bay surrendered a conditional future-round obligation that did not become an extra Chargers selection, and Bendross did not survive the Buccaneers’ preseason cut. The exchange had little lasting cost for either club and supplied no player production, starts, or draft-derived contribution to separate the returns.
Final Verdict
Even Trade, with both teams at C. Tampa Bay received only a brief preseason look at Bendross and no regular-season contribution. San Diego did not realize an additional 1987 twelfth-round selection from the conditional consideration. Neither side created regular-season value from the acquired asset.