Minnesota Vikings–New Orleans Saints Trade History

Minnesota acquired quarterback Gary Cuozzo from New Orleans for the Vikings' first-round picks in 1968 and 1969. Those selections became Kevin Hardy at No. 7 and John Shinners at No. 17. Cuozzo provided Minnesota quarterback play but never became a long-term answer, while New Orleans controlled two consecutive premium draft assets.

Minnesota received Tom Hall, also known as Tom Hall Francis, from New Orleans in exchange for Archie Sutton during the 1968 football year. Hall immediately gave the Vikings usable receiving production, starting 13 games and catching 19 passes for 268 yards and a touchdown. The surviving record supports that Minnesota contribution clearly, while the downstream value of New Orleans' return is less complete.

Minnesota acquired Bill Cody from New Orleans for an undisclosed conditional future draft choice. Cody did not become a meaningful regular-season contributor for the Vikings before moving on, so Minnesota received little lasting value from the player. The Saints' conditional return cannot be tied confidently to a productive selection, leaving neither club with enough verified value to separate itself from the other.

Minnesota acquired defensive lineman Doug Sutherland from New Orleans for running back Bill Harris in August 1971. The transaction involved one Harris, not two duplicate player entries. Sutherland went on to play 138 regular-season games for Minnesota, start 90 and appear in three Super Bowls. Harris played only one game for New Orleans and gained one rushing yard, producing an overwhelming Vikings advantage.

Minnesota sent tight end Bob Brown to New Orleans in September 1972 for two future selections. The Vikings used the 1973 sixth-round pick on Doug Kingsriter and the 1974 fourth-round choice on Mike Townsend, but neither became a major long-term contributor. Brown played all 14 games for New Orleans in 1972 and remained with the Saints into 1973, giving them the stronger direct return.

Minnesota acquired offensive lineman Andy Maurer and received useful immediate line help. New Orleans received the 1975 third-round pick used on defensive end Elois Grooms, who played 99 games for the Saints and recorded 42.5 sacks for the franchise. Maurer made the Vikings' side respectable, but Grooms became a far more durable and productive asset in New Orleans. The third-round pick produced the best player value in the exchange.

Minnesota traded veteran Bob Stein to New Orleans on April 7, 1976 for a 1977 draft choice. Transaction histories establish the player and future pick but do not identify the round or eventual selection. Stein was nearing the end of a career that included Kansas City and Los Angeles before Minnesota, so the deal reads as a modest veteran-for-future-value exchange.

Minnesota agreed to send tackle Steve Riley to New Orleans on April 18, 1980 for third- and fifth-round picks used on Brent Boyd and Paul Jones. Riley later failed the Saints' physical, and the transaction was unwound with Minnesota sending 1981 third- and fifth-round selections to New Orleans while retaining Riley. Boyd became a useful Vikings lineman, and Riley continued starting in Minnesota, giving the Vikings the stronger overall chain.

The June 1980 Steve Riley entry reflects the resolution of an earlier Vikings-Saints transaction after Riley failed New Orleans' physical and remained with Minnesota. The Saints ultimately received 1981 third- and fifth-round selections, Nos. 71 and 128, while Minnesota retained Riley, who continued as a regular offensive tackle for several seasons. Both sides obtained real value, but the two future selections give New Orleans the stronger return and preserve a narrow Saints win.

Minnesota acquired Tony Galbreath from New Orleans on August 31, 1981 for the 1982 third-round pick that became Eugene Goodlow. Galbreath gave the Vikings three useful seasons, totaling 788 rushing yards and 645 receiving yards while starting 11 games. Goodlow later became a productive Saints receiver with 1,677 yards and 10 touchdowns. Both teams turned the exchange into legitimate multi-year production.

Minnesota traded wide receiver Mike Jones to New Orleans on September 2, 1986 for running back Wayne Wilson. Wilson had been productive earlier in his career, but his Minnesota stay produced only eight carries for 14 yards in seven games. The Vikings gained veteran depth, yet the return was brief and modest, leaving Minnesota with little direct football value from the exchange.

New Orleans acquired quarterback Todd Bouman from Minnesota in March 2003 for a sixth-round pick. Bouman served as veteran quarterback depth for the Saints. Minnesota used the 190th overall selection on linebacker Mike Nattiel, who became a multi-season Vikings contributor. The trade gave New Orleans experienced depth while Minnesota converted a reserve passer into a younger roster asset.

Minnesota moved up two spots in the 2004 second round for linebacker Dontarrious Thomas, sending New Orleans picks 50 and 151 for No. 48. Thomas became a useful multi-year Viking, but the Saints selected Devery Henderson at 50 and later used pick 151 in another trade that helped add 2005 second-round capital. Henderson’s long tenure and championship-era production give New Orleans the stronger return.

Minnesota sent New Orleans pick No. 105, which became tight end Adam Trautman, and received four later selections that became James Lynch, Harrison Hand, Blake Brandel and Nate Stanley. Trautman developed into a useful Saints tight end, but Brandel became a long-term Vikings lineman and eventual starter, while Lynch and Hand added supporting snaps. Minnesota's broader return produced slightly more lasting value.