Los Angeles Rams–Minnesota Vikings Trade History

The Rams traded veteran defensive back Will Sherman to expansion Minnesota on June 27, 1961 for a future draft choice. Contemporary reports establish the exchange even though the exact pick is not identified. Sherman, already an experienced Ram, appeared in eight games for the inaugural Vikings and contributed limited receiving work, giving Minnesota short-term veteran help at a still-unknown draft cost.

The Los Angeles Rams dealt Tom Wilson to Minnesota in July 1963 and received the Vikings' 1964 tenth-round pick, No. 131, which became Ron Smith. The Rams recovered a draft choice for a veteran, but Wilson gave Minnesota 282 rushing yards and four touchdowns in eight games. That immediate production was more meaningful than the late-round return the Rams realized.

The Los Angeles Rams traded linebacker Bill Jobko to Minnesota in 1963 for a draft choice. Historical team material supports the exchange, while the exact pick is not identified. Jobko gave Minnesota three full seasons from 1963 through 1965 before joining expansion Atlanta in 1966, providing a concrete multi-year return that outweighs an untraceable draft asset on the Rams' side.

Minnesota sent the negotiating rights to first-round receiver Jack Snow to the Rams in a deal that brought veteran receiver Red Phillips and defensive lineman Gary Larsen to the Vikings. Transaction histories split the chronology between Snow’s rights move and the completed player package. All three became significant NFL contributors, with Snow giving Los Angeles the longest single-team payoff.

Minnesota sent Tommy Mason, Hal Bedsole and its 1967 second-round pick to Los Angeles for Marlin McKeever and the Rams' first-round choice. The Vikings used No. 15 on Alan Page, who became an NFL MVP, Hall of Famer and centerpiece of the Purple People Eaters. McKeever also started for Minnesota before helping bring Paul Krause in another trade, creating extraordinary compounded value.

Minnesota acquired kicking specialist Don Martin from the Los Angeles Rams on August 4, 1969 for a conditional draft choice. Contemporary reporting establishes that structure, while the condition, draft round, selection and whether the choice ultimately conveyed are not identified. With no securely documented long-term Minnesota impact or Rams draft payoff, the exchange is best treated as a modest preseason gamble.

Minnesota acquired defensive back Ted Provost from the Los Angeles Rams in September 1970, and the Rams received Minnesota's 1972 fifth-round selection, No. 128, tied in the draft record to Greg Kucera. Provost appeared in only seven games for the Vikings without a start, while the pick produced no clear long-term Rams advantage. The modest returns fit an even result.

The Rams acquired Greg Slough from Minnesota on August 3, 1973 for a 1974 draft choice, only nine days after Minnesota had obtained him from Oakland. Historical player and transaction sources support the two distinct moves. Because the exact 1974 selection is not identified and Slough produced no major Rams career, neither side has a strong enough realized return for a decisive verdict.

Minnesota traded veteran cornerback Charlie Stukes to the Rams on August 28, 1973, for a 1974 fifth-round selection, No. 128. Minnesota did not ultimately use the pick on Monroe Eley; the Vikings traded that choice to Philadelphia days later for linebacker Ron Porter. Stukes immediately became a two-year starter in Los Angeles.

Minnesota acquired running back Jerry Latin from the Los Angeles Rams on June 13, 1979 for an undisclosed draft choice. Contemporary transaction reporting confirms the player-for-pick structure. Latin never appeared in a Vikings regular-season game and was waived on August 16, so Minnesota received no regular-season production from the acquisition.

Minnesota traded Hall of Fame tackle Ron Yary to the Rams late in the 1982 preseason for a 1983 tenth-round pick. Yary appeared in eight games for Los Angeles without a start before retiring. Minnesota used No. 255 on defensive back Melvin Brown, who did not become a meaningful NFL contributor. The Rams received the only measurable professional production from the exchange.

Minnesota sent quarterback Steve Dils to the Rams in September 1984 for a 1985 fourth-round pick, No. 106, used on Kyle Morrell. Dils appeared in 52 games for Los Angeles from 1984 through 1987 and made nine starts, while Morrell played only five NFL games with one start for Minnesota. The Rams received the more useful and durable return.

Minnesota sent offensive lineman Adam Goldberg to the Rams on September 2, 2006, for a 2008 seventh-round pick that became No. 209 and was later traded before Green Bay selected Matt Flynn. Goldberg became a durable Rams lineman, appearing in 83 games with 48 starts from 2006 through 2011. That sustained lineup value gives Los Angeles the clear win.

Minnesota acquired Cam Akers from Los Angeles in September 2023 while swapping conditional 2026 late-round picks. Neither conditional pick ultimately conveyed, leaving the Vikings with Akers at no realized draft cost. He produced 138 rushing yards, 70 receiving yards and one touchdown in six games before an Achilles injury ended his season, making Minnesota the modest winner.

Minnesota sent pick No. 172 to the Rams during the 2025 draft and received Nos. 201 and 202, selecting Kobe King and Gavin Bartholomew. Los Angeles used No. 172 on Chris Paul Jr., who did not make the Rams' regular-season roster. Both Vikings selections reached the NFL roster picture, giving Minnesota the stronger early return.