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Washington Football Team: A history of quarterback trades

By Jonathan Eig

WASHINGTON, D.C. - DECEMBER 5: Billy Kilmer #17 of the Washington Redskins drops back to pass against the New York Giants during an NFL football game on December 5, 1971 at RFK Memorial Stadium in Washington D.C.. Kilmer played for the Redskins from 1971-78. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, D.C. - DECEMBER 5: Billy Kilmer #17 of the Washington Redskins drops back to pass against the New York Giants during an NFL football game on December 5, 1971 at RFK Memorial Stadium in Washington D.C.. Kilmer played for the Redskins from 1971-78. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
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Washington Football Team helmet. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Washington Football Team helmet. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

With the Washington Football Team rumored to be involved in possible trades for a starting quarterback this offseason, I thought it would be fun to take a quick stroll through the franchise’s history when it comes to trading for quarterbacks.

I admit that I may have a somewhat perverse definition of “fun.”

The first batch of Washington Football Team quarterbacks brought in via trade from other teams are not especially notable. This was back in the 1940s, and Sammy Baugh was entrenched behind center. But Baugh was always getting banged up and whoever was backing him up would often have to step in for a game or two.

The first quarterback acquired from another team to fill this role was not acquired by trade. Frankie Filchock was simply purchased outright from the Pittsburgh Pirates (yes, there was a professional football team in Pittsburgh called the Pirates back in 1939). Filchock would be a very good alternate to Baugh during his time in DC.

The other quarterbacks brought in through traditional trades back then – George Cafego (from the Brooklyn Dodgers – yes, the Brooklyn Dodgers) and Jack Jacobs (from the Cleveland Rams) were brief fill-ins during their time in Washington. The gifted Jacobs would eventually have an outstanding career in the Canadian Football League.

But the next three trades for quarterbacks amounted to winning the Triple Crown.

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