Chicago sent Wally Chambers to Tampa Bay in April 1978 and…
Chicago sent Wally Chambers to Tampa Bay in April 1978 and received a future first-round pick plus tight end Bob Moore, who was identified as the player to be named later two days after the initial agreement. The first-rounder became Hall of Fame defensive lineman Dan Hampton, giving the Bears overwhelming long-term value.
Chicago Bears Received
- player Bob Moore
- pick 1979 first round pick (#4-Dan Hampton)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Received
- player Wally Chambers
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Actually Did
Tampa Bay acquired Wally Chambers from Chicago on April 12, 1978, agreeing to send a future first-round pick and a player to be named later. The Buccaneers identified tight end Bob Moore as that player two days later. Chicago ultimately used the 1979 first-round selection, No. 4 overall, on defensive lineman Dan Hampton. Keeping the April 12 date reflects the initial transaction while acknowledging that Moore’s inclusion was completed shortly afterward.
Why Chicago Gets the Edge
Hampton changes the scale of the trade. He became a cornerstone of the Bears defense, earned repeated Pro Bowl and All-Pro recognition, helped anchor the 1985 championship team and eventually entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Chicago also received Moore, so the deal was not simply a straight future pick for Chambers. When a traded first-round selection becomes a franchise-level Hall of Famer, the selling club needs an extraordinary return to keep the comparison close.
How Tampa Bay Still Got Short-Term Help
Chambers did contribute. He appeared in 28 games over two seasons with Tampa Bay and had a strong 1979 campaign as the Buccaneers surged to the NFC Championship Game. His pressure and forced-fumble production gave the young defense another disruptive veteran presence. The problem is duration: Chambers’ Buccaneers career ended after 1979, so Tampa Bay received a concentrated burst of value rather than the decade of impact Chicago received from Hampton.
Final Verdict
Chicago earns an A+ because the first-round choice became one of the defining defenders in franchise history, with Moore adding extra return. Tampa Bay rises to C+ because Chambers materially helped a historic 1979 season, but two productive years cannot balance Hampton’s career. The Bears won decisively, even though the Buccaneers’ side was more useful than the raw career comparison might suggest.