Minnesota Vikings–New England Patriots Trade History

Minnesota acquired center Doug Dumler from New England for a 1976 eighth-round pick and a 1977 sixth-round pick. Dumler appeared in every regular-season game for the Vikings across 1976 and 1977, providing two seasons of useful line depth. New England used the first pick on Stu Betts and later traded the second for Marlin Briscoe. The Patriots found some secondary value, but Minnesota received the steadier direct return.

Minnesota acquired defensive back Joe Blahak from New England for cash on March 11, 1977. Blahak appeared in 12 games for the Vikings that season, giving Minnesota a modest amount of usable depth. With no player or draft asset heading back to New England, the Vikings earned the slightly better result.

Minnesota traded punter Neil Clabo to New England on August 23, 1978 for a conditional draft choice. The Patriots' own 1979 media guide confirms the transaction and compensation type. Clabo never appeared in a New England regular-season game; NFL and Pro Football Reference records show his entire 41-game NFL career came with Minnesota from 1975 through 1977.

Minnesota sent veteran running back Chuck Foreman to New England in April 1980 for a conditional 1981 third-round pick. The condition produced No. 74, which the Vikings used on tackle Tim Irwin. Irwin became a 14-year NFL lineman and longtime Minnesota starter, giving the Vikings exceptional lasting value from a player whose Patriots tenure was near the end of his career.

Minnesota acquired New England's rights to Rich Gannon shortly after the 1987 draft and ultimately sent fourth- and eleventh-round choices in 1988. Gannon spent six seasons with the Vikings and became a multi-year starter, giving Minnesota useful quarterback value long before his later MVP peak elsewhere. That production outweighs the modest return New England realized from the two selections.

Minnesota exchanged a future 1989 ninth-round pick for New England's 1988 eleventh-round selection, moving into the current draft to take Norman Floyd at No. 296. The Patriots later held No. 247 in 1989, used on Curtis Wilson. Neither player appeared in an NFL regular-season game. With no meaningful on-field return on either side, the trade finished almost exactly where its low draft cost suggested: even.

Minnesota sent New England a 1999 third-round pick for cornerback Jimmy Hitchcock before the 1998 season. Hitchcock then started all 16 games for the 15-1 Vikings, intercepted seven passes and returned three for touchdowns. New England used the eventual No. 91 pick on Tony George, who played 31 NFL games with one start. Minnesota received far more immediate impact from the exchange.

Minnesota sent picks No. 86 and No. 119 to New England in the 2001 draft to move up to No. 69 for cornerback Eric Kelly. The Patriots selected cornerback Brock Williams and tight end Jabari Holloway. None became a major long-term starter, but New England’s two-player return gives the Patriots a narrow volume advantage.

Minnesota reunited Randy Moss with Brett Favre in a win-now move, sending New England a 2011 third-round pick while receiving Moss and a 2012 seventh-rounder. The reunion lasted only four games: Moss caught 13 passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns before the Vikings waived him. New England used pick No. 74 on Ryan Mallett and avoided losing Moss for nothing after the season. The Patriots clearly won despite modest production from Mallett.

Minnesota traded four selections to New England for pick No. 29 and selected Cordarrelle Patterson. Patterson became an elite return specialist immediately and earned multiple All-Pro honors, but he never developed into a consistent featured receiver during four Vikings seasons. New England used the premium picks on Jamie Collins and Logan Ryan, both major defensive contributors to championship teams, plus Josh Boyce and another late selection. The Patriots converted quantity into higher overall value.

Minnesota moved from pick No. 159 to No. 162 in the 2019 draft and added No. 239, selecting Cameron Smith and Dillon Mitchell. New England used No. 159 on defensive tackle Byron Cowart. Cowart played 19 games for the Patriots and started 14 in 2020, while Minnesota received limited football value from its two selections. New England won the small draft-day exchange.

Minnesota traded tackle Vederian Lowe to New England on August 28, 2023, for a 2024 sixth-round pick, No. 188. The Vikings later moved that selection as part of subsequent draft maneuvering; Jamal Hill was eventually chosen at No. 188 by another club. Lowe provided New England some tackle starts, but Minnesota's recovery of useful draft capital for a reserve gives the Vikings a slight edge.

Minnesota sent New England the 234th pick in the 2026 draft plus a 2027 sixth-round choice to move up to No. 198 for running back Demond Claiborne. The Patriots used No. 234 on quarterback Behren Morton. Both rookies made their clubs' initial 53-man rosters, while the future sixth remains unresolved, making an even grade appropriate.

New England acquired Walter Rouse and Minnesota’s 2027 seventh-round pick for a 2027 sixth-round pick on August 30, 2026. Rouse, a 2024 sixth-rounder with eight NFL appearances, gives the Patriots tackle-guard depth after an injury weakened their reserve line. Minnesota improves its draft slot while moving surplus depth, but New England gets the slight edge because the pick downgrade buys a young, experienced lineman at a position of need.