Los Angeles Chargers–Minnesota Vikings Trade History

Minnesota sent Clint Jones and Carl Gersbach to San Diego for 1974 second- and third-round selections. The Vikings used those picks on John Holland and Steve Craig, giving Minnesota two meaningful draft assets for veterans whose Chargers impact was limited. Neither drafted player became a star, but the two-pick return still gives the Vikings a clear, moderate advantage.

San Diego acquired veteran guard Ed White for Rickey Young and received an exceptional long-term starter for the Air Coryell era. White remained a fixture on the Chargers’ offensive line for eight seasons and earned Pro Bowl recognition. The Chargers get the slight edge, but Minnesota’s return was far stronger than a losing-side grade normally suggests.

Minnesota sent veteran linebacker Jeff Siemon to San Diego on May 28, 1982 for a 1983 draft choice. Chargers trade histories disagree on the round, so the exact selection should not be overstated. Siemon retired during Chargers camp, was released, then returned to Minnesota and played nine games in 1982, leaving an unusual transaction with limited lasting separation.

Minnesota traded safety John Turner to San Diego on August 10, 1984, for compensation that ultimately converted to the Chargers’ 1985 third-round pick, No. 66. The Vikings used it on Tim Long. Turner spent one season with the Chargers and returned to Minnesota in 1985, so the Vikings gained the draft asset without permanently losing the veteran defensive back.

Minnesota acquired Chuck Muncie from San Diego on July 19, 1985 for one conditional 1986 sixth-round pick tied to Muncie remaining with the Vikings through the season. Muncie retired before playing a regular-season game for Minnesota, so the condition was not met and the pick was not exercised. Neither team ultimately received a realized football asset from the transaction.

San Diego moved from No. 14 to No. 8 in the 1986 draft and selected Leslie O'Neal, while also receiving No. 66. O'Neal became the defining asset: 132.5 career sacks and Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. Minnesota took Gerald Robinson at No. 14 and obtained No. 44, later used in the trade for Gary Zimmerman's rights, giving the Vikings meaningful value despite losing the direct comparison.

Minnesota acquired guard Tonio Fonoti from the Chargers on October 18, 2005, for a 2006 seventh-round pick that became No. 227, Jimmy Martin. Fonoti's Vikings tenure amounted to one game and one start before injuries ended the experiment. The Chargers at least converted a player they were moving on from into a defined draft selection, giving them the better result.

Minnesota acquired offensive lineman Jeremiah Sirles from San Diego in September 2015 for a 2016 sixth-round pick. Sirles became useful swing-line depth and started 14 games for Minnesota across 2016 and 2017. The Chargers used the pick at No. 198 on Derek Watt, a durable fullback and special-teams contributor. Both teams received an NFL player, but Sirles filled a more immediate and valuable Minnesota need.