The Greatest Trade For Every NFL Team In History

Chicago Bears:  The Dick Butkus trade

The 1960s were a different period for the NFL due to the growing competition offered by the upstart American Football League (AFL). Drafting players was considerably more difficult and the league had to operate with a somewhat rigged structure to help entice college players to join their ranks. That was a big reason why the Bears were able to secure the #3 pick in the 1965 draft from the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for future 2nd and 4th round picks.

That might be viewed as ridiculous nowadays, but back then it was the absolute right decision because it was felt the Bears had the best chance to secure one of the top linebackers in the country in Illinois standout Dick Butkus. A Chicago native, he fit the mold of what they wanted in their defenders and would be able to stay close to home by accepting their deal. The plot worked. Butkus signed and the league would never be the same. For the next 10 seasons he left a wake of utter devastation in his path, becoming one of the most feared players of all-time, not to mention a Hall of Famer who is still viewed by many as the greatest middle linebacker ever.

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