Minnesota Vikings–New York Jets Trade History

Minnesota acquired safety Phil Wise from the Jets for two future selections, a 1978 eighth-round pick and a 1979 tenth-round pick. Wise played 30 games for the Vikings and started all 16 games in 1978. The Jets used the picks on Roy Eppes and Ed McGlasson; Eppes never played in the NFL and McGlasson appeared in only seven Jets games. Minnesota received the stronger return.

Minnesota acquired veteran linebacker Sam Cowart from the Jets on March 18, 2005, for a seventh-round pick, No. 230. Cowart started 14 of 15 games for the Vikings that season and provided immediate lineup stability. New York later moved the pick through subsequent transactions, and New England eventually used No. 230 on Matt Cassel. Minnesota's direct one-year return gives it the edge.

Minnesota acquired quarterback Brooks Bollinger from the Jets for defensive tackle C.J. Mosley and a 2008 seventh-round pick. Bollinger provided emergency quarterback depth but made only a limited impact during two Vikings seasons. New York received a young defensive lineman who contributed in its rotation plus an extra draft asset, giving the Jets a modest but clear advantage.

Minnesota traded picks No. 79 and No. 160 to the Jets for No. 70, then selected center Pat Elflein. Elflein became an immediate starter, earned PFWA All-Rookie honors and started 43 games for the Vikings across four seasons. New York selected ArDarius Stewart at No. 79 and later moved the fifth-round asset through additional trades, but its resulting players did not match the sustained starting value Minnesota received.

Minnesota moved up for kicker Daniel Carlson and also acquired Devante Downs, but Carlson was waived after two games and his later All-Pro success came entirely with Las Vegas. New York used Minnesota’s selections on Folorunso Fatukasi and Trenton Cannon. Fatukasi became a useful Jets starter, giving New York far more team-specific value from the exchange.

The Jets moved up one spot from No. 93 to No. 92 in the 2019 third round and selected tackle Chuma Edoga. Minnesota received No. 93 plus seventh-round pick No. 217, then continued trading: No. 93 went to Baltimore for Nos. 102, 191 and 193, while No. 217 became cornerback Kris Boyd. The Minnesota Vikings produced the stronger realized return, supporting the Minnesota Vikings Win verdict.

Minnesota moved from No. 14 to No. 23 in 2021 and received two third-round picks, selecting Christian Darrisaw, Kellen Mond and Wyatt Davis. Darrisaw became a high-level starting left tackle and earned an extension through 2029; Mond and Davis failed to stick. New York used No. 14 on Alijah Vera-Tucker, a versatile starting lineman whose career has been repeatedly interrupted by major injuries. Darrisaw plus the additional opportunities keep Minnesota ahead.

Minnesota acquired Chris Herndon plus a 2022 sixth-round pick from the Jets for a 2022 fourth after Irv Smith Jr. suffered a season-ending injury. Herndon played all 16 games but caught only four passes for 40 yards and one touchdown. The sixth-rounder became Vederian Lowe, whom Minnesota later traded to New England for another sixth. New York used pick No. 117 on Micheal Clemons, who has 8.5 sacks and 24 starts through four seasons. The Jets won decisively.

Minnesota moved from No. 11 to No. 10 in 2024 for quarterback J.J. McCarthy and also received No. 203, used on kicker Will Reichard. New York drafted left tackle Olu Fashanu and moved the additional picks in later deals. Fashanu became a 17-game starter in 2025, while McCarthy’s first playing season produced 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Reichard’s First-Team All-Pro season keeps Minnesota’s return competitive despite the quarterback uncertainty.

The Jets acquired defensive tackle Harrison Phillips and a 2027 seventh-round pick from Minnesota on August 21, 2025, sending the Vikings 2026 and 2027 sixth-round selections. Phillips then started all 17 games for New York and recorded 60 tackles, adding dependable interior snaps immediately. Minnesota gained two draft assets for a veteran it was prepared to move, but the Jets received the stronger proven return.