NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

Chicago Bears 3 worst trades in franchise history

By Sravan Gannavarapu

27 Jul 1997: Quarterback Rick Mirer of the Chicago Bears (left) throws the ball during the American Bowl against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland. The Steelers won the game, 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Clive Brunskill /Allsport
27 Jul 1997: Quarterback Rick Mirer of the Chicago Bears (left) throws the ball during the American Bowl against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland. The Steelers won the game, 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Clive Brunskill /Allsport /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
Sep 29, 1974; St. Louis, MO, USA; FILE PHOTO; Cleveland Browns quarterback Mike Phipps (15) at the line of scrimmage against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Herb Weitman-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 29, 1974; St. Louis, MO, USA; FILE PHOTO; Cleveland Browns quarterback Mike Phipps (15) at the line of scrimmage against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Herb Weitman-USA TODAY Sports /

No.3 Worst Chicago Bears Trade: Bears trade a first and a fourth-round pick in 1978 to Browns for QB Mike Phipps.

Those who watch NFL Films as if it was the Bible (which it technically is) know that in 1970, the Cleveland Browns used the first-round pick of the Miami Dolphins to select Purdue’s Mike Phipps.

Phipps was acquired as part of a deal that sent Hall of Fame wide receiver Paul Warfield to South Beach en route to a perfect season and Super Bowl title.

In contrast, Phipps battled injuries and inconsistency in his tenure in Cleveland before the Chicago Bears swooped in and traded a first and fourth-round pick in 1978 to Cleveland to acquire Phipps’s services.

The Browns got the last laugh as the first-rounder was used to select Ozzie Newsome. Yes, the same Ozzie Newsome who was a star tight end and eventually general manager of two Super Bowl titles in Baltimore.

As for Phipps in the Windy City? Cold. Not only was he battling for the starting job with Bob Avellini and Vince Evans at one point, but his career in Chi-Town consisted of just over 2,800 yards passing and 15 touchdowns to 27 interceptions.

Given how his college career at Purdue was impressive, his professional career was anything but, and the Bears paid for it dearly.

Home/Chicago Bears