In April 1961, Varrichione's world was turned upside down when the Pittsburgh Steelers with which he had just signed a three-year deal traded his contract to the Los Angeles Rams for that of defensive tackle Lou Michaels, a 1958 first round pick who was just starting to come into his own as an NFL defensive star. The Steelers had hated to part company with a top offensive lineman like Varrichione, head coach Buddy Parker told the press at the time of the transaction, but the deal had to be done to provide vitally needed defensive strength. The exchange was an even one, with no other considerations changing hands. It would be the Rams with whom Varrichione played the rest of his career.