Pittsburgh Steelers received Will Renfro and 1961 fifth round…
Pittsburgh Steelers received Will Renfro and 1961 fifth round pick (#59-Fred Mautino). Pittsburgh received Will Renfro and the 1961 fifth-round choice used on Fred Mautino. Renfro's Steelers stay was brief, and Mautino did not appear in an NFL regular-season game. The package gave Pittsburgh two possible paths to value, but neither developed into a durable return, leaving the Steelers with a limited result from the exchange. That result supports a C- grade for Pittsburgh Steelers.
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- player Will Renfro
- pick 1961 fifth round pick (#59-Fred Mautino)
Washington Commanders Received
- player Dick Lasse
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1960-05-05, Pittsburgh Steelers received Will Renfro and 1961 fifth round pick (#59-Fred Mautino), while Washington Commanders received Dick Lasse. Historical team, transaction, draft, and player records support the package. The comparison focuses on the value each franchise actually controlled and the regular-season contribution created after the exchange.
Pittsburgh Steelers Return
Pittsburgh Steelers received Will Renfro and 1961 fifth round pick (#59-Fred Mautino). Pittsburgh received Will Renfro and the 1961 fifth-round choice used on Fred Mautino. Renfro's Steelers stay was brief, and Mautino did not appear in an NFL regular-season game. The package gave Pittsburgh two possible paths to value, but neither developed into a durable return, leaving the Steelers with a limited result from the exchange. That result supports a C- grade for Pittsburgh Steelers. The grade reflects the scale and durability of that return rather than simply the draft position or reputation attached to the asset at the moment of the trade.
Washington Commanders Return
Washington Commanders received Dick Lasse. Washington received Dick Lasse. He immediately played a full 1960 season for Washington, intercepted three passes, and remained with the club in 1961. That direct defensive contribution exceeded what Pittsburgh realized from Renfro and the later fifth-round selection, giving Washington the best established football value in the trade. That result supports a B grade for Washington Commanders. The same standard applies here: direct playing time, retained draft capital, and clearly documented later movement of an acquired pick matter more than a player selected by a different franchise later in the chain.
Value in Hindsight
Washington received Dick Lasse, who immediately played a full season and intercepted three passes in 1960 before remaining with the club in 1961. Pittsburgh received Will Renfro plus the 1961 fifth-round choice used on Fred Mautino, but Renfro had only a short Steelers stay and Mautino never played an NFL regular-season game. Washington realized the stronger return. This hindsight view keeps later pick movement in context and avoids assigning another club's eventual player production to a team that had already moved the selection.
Final Verdict
The final call is Washington Commanders Win. Pittsburgh Steelers earns C-, and Washington Commanders earns B. Those grades match the supported package and the relative football value each side realized from the transaction.