Cincinnati sent running back Warren McVea to Kansas City for…
Cincinnati sent running back Warren McVea to Kansas City for kicker Horst Muhlmann and a 1970 fourth-round pick used on Billie Hayes. McVea immediately helped the Chiefs win Super Bowl IV, but Muhlmann became Cincinnati’s kicker for six seasons and delivered sustained scoring value. The Bengals also kept the draft pick, giving them the slightly stronger long-term return even though Kansas City received the bigger immediate championship contribution.
Cincinnati Bengals Received
- player Horst Muhlmann
- pick 1970 fourth round pick (#104-Billy Hayes / Billie Hayes)
Kansas City Chiefs Received
- player Warren McVea
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
On September 8, 1969, Cincinnati traded Warren McVea to Kansas City. The Bengals received kicker Horst Muhlmann and a 1970 fourth-round draft choice, which became the No. 104 selection used on Billie Hayes. Chiefs history confirms McVea was an acquired piece of the championship roster, while the draft transaction record identifies both Muhlmann and the pick in the return package.
What Cincinnati Got
Muhlmann became the durable part of the deal. He handled Cincinnati’s placekicking duties from 1969 through 1974, playing 14 games in each of those six seasons. His scoring totals included 108 points in 1970, 111 in 1972, and 94 in 1973. That is sustained specialist value from a player Kansas City surrendered. Cincinnati also received a fourth-round pick, adding another asset even though Billie Hayes did not become a major NFL contributor.
What Kansas City Got
McVea’s immediate impact was significant. In 1969 he rushed 106 times for 500 yards and seven touchdowns, returned kicks, and joined a Chiefs team that won the final AFL championship and then defeated Minnesota in Super Bowl IV. Kansas City therefore received exactly the kind of short-term roster boost a contender wants. His tenure and overall production were less durable than Muhlmann’s Cincinnati run, but the championship context gives the Chiefs meaningful credit.
Final Verdict
Cincinnati gets a narrow edge because Muhlmann supplied six seasons of regular kicking value and the Bengals also received a fourth-round selection. Kansas City’s C is not a condemnation; McVea helped a championship team immediately and made the trade worthwhile for the Chiefs. The Bengals’ C+ simply reflects greater longevity and an additional asset. This is a case where the losing side still achieved its short-term objective, while the winning side accumulated the more durable total return.