Indianapolis Colts–Minnesota Vikings Trade History

The Colts traded guard Palmer Pyle to Minnesota in April 1964 for linebacker Steve Stonebreaker. Pyle spent the 1964 season with the Vikings, while Stonebreaker immediately became a regular for Baltimore, appearing in 14 games with 13 starts that year and ultimately logging 32 games and 19 starts for the Colts. Stonebreaker's stronger sustained role gives Baltimore the win.

Minnesota acquired the rights to tackle Larry Kramer from the Baltimore Colts on January 28, 1965, sending linebacker John Campbell and its 1966 eighth-round pick. That selection became No. 120 and was used on Jerry Allen. None of the pieces produced a major long-term advantage, leaving the exchange reasonably balanced in hindsight.

Baltimore traded defensive back Jim Dillard to Minnesota in June 1969 for a 1970 sixth-round draft choice. Colts historical material supports the round-level compensation, while the exact selection should not be overstated. Dillard joined a Vikings team that would reach Super Bowl IV, but his Minnesota tenure was brief, and the Colts' later pick outcome is not securely traceable.

Minnesota acquired veteran cornerback Charlie Stukes from the Baltimore Colts on July 23, 1973, for a 1974 fifth-round pick that became No. 129 and Doug Nettles. Five weeks later, Minnesota traded Stukes to the Rams for pick No. 128. That quick resale effectively improved the Vikings’ draft position while Baltimore received a future multi-year defensive back.

Baltimore sent rookie receiver Dave Hazel to Minnesota in 1975 for a 1976 eighth-round draft choice. Colts historical material places the move on July 29, while Hazel had entered the league as Baltimore's 11th-round selection earlier that year. The exact eighth-round pick is not identified, and Hazel did not develop into a notable NFL contributor, leaving a low-impact exchange.

Minnesota acquired Frank Myers from the Colts in August 1978 for a 1979 eighth-round pick, No. 207. The Colts used that selection on defensive back Nesby Glasgow, who went on to a 14-season NFL career with 205 games, 145 starts, and 15 interceptions. Myers did not create comparable Minnesota value, so the late-round pick became a decisive long-term win for the Colts.

Minnesota traded the 18th pick in the 1981 draft to Baltimore for two second-rounders and a fifth-rounder, selecting Mardye McDole, Jarvis Redwine, and Wendell Ray. The quantity did not translate into comparable NFL value. Baltimore used No. 18 on Donnell Thompson, who became an 11-year Colt, started 143 games, and provided the durable return that decides the trade.

Minnesota moved up in the 2022 second round and came away with cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. at No. 42 plus the No. 122 pick, which was later moved again. Indianapolis turned the return into Alec Pierce, Bernhard Raimann and Andrew Ogletree. Booth never supplied comparable value, while Pierce and especially Raimann became meaningful Colts contributors, giving Indianapolis the clearer long-term return.

Minnesota moved up from No. 158 to No. 141 in the 2023 draft and selected defensive tackle Jaquelin Roy. Indianapolis received No. 158, used on Daniel Scott, and No. 211, used on Titus Leo. Roy produced regular-season snaps and sacks, while the Colts' two selections yielded limited early playing time, giving Minnesota the edge.

Indianapolis acquired Mekhi Blackmon from Minnesota for a 2026 sixth-round pick shortly before roster cuts, betting on a corner returning from a torn ACL. Blackmon responded by playing all 17 games, starting 11 and recording 64 tackles, seven passes defensed, two interceptions and a sack. Minnesota moved the sixth-rounder again, leaving the Colts with the clearly stronger direct football return.