Chicago acquired veteran quarterback Zeke Bratkowski from…
Chicago acquired veteran quarterback Zeke Bratkowski from Green Bay on September 1, 1972 for a 1974 sixth-round pick that became Don Woods. Bratkowski’s Bears stint did not produce meaningful regular-season value, while Woods did not become a Packers contributor after the draft. With neither side converting the exchange into lasting production, the original C/C Even Trade assessment remains the best fit.
Chicago Bears Received
- player Zeke Bratkowski
Green Bay Packers Received
- pick 1974 sixth round pick (#134-Don Woods)
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
Chicago traded a 1974 sixth-round selection to Green Bay on September 1, 1972 for veteran quarterback Zeke Bratkowski. Bears transaction history identifies the same package, while Packers history provides the broader context of Bratkowski’s long career. Green Bay later used the acquired selection on Don Woods at No. 134.
What Chicago Received
Bratkowski brought extensive experience and familiarity with the division, but this late-career move did not become a meaningful source of regular-season production for Chicago. The Bears were buying veteran quarterback insurance rather than a long-term starter. In hindsight, that insurance did not turn into enough on-field value to create a clear win.
What Green Bay Received
The Packers recovered a future sixth-round choice for a veteran near the end of his playing career. That is sensible asset management, but the pick itself did not create a lasting Packers contributor. Woods is best remembered for what he later did elsewhere rather than for value delivered to Green Bay. The future selection therefore produced little realized benefit for the team that acquired it. The low draft slot matters as well: a sixth-round choice carried only modest expected value, so Green Bay’s failure to turn it into a contributor does not create a major negative grade.
Final Verdict
The transaction is easy to document but difficult to separate on outcome because both returns were small. Chicago received experience without lasting production, and Green Bay received a draft asset without meaningful Packers service from the selected player. Neither side generated enough value to deserve a directional verdict. C grades for both clubs and an Even Trade result accurately reflect the limited realized impact.