Minnesota Vikings–San Francisco 49ers Trade History

San Francisco acquired tackle Roy Williams from Minnesota on October 30, 1963, for a 1965 eighth-round draft choice that became No. 100 John Hankinson. Williams appeared in seven games for the 49ers that season, while Hankinson never played an NFL regular-season game for Minnesota. The return was modest on both sides, but San Francisco received the only realized NFL playing value.

Minnesota acquired John Pentecost from San Francisco for a draft choice whose exact selection remains unidentified. The surviving record does not show a major long-term contribution from Pentecost or a securely traceable downstream payoff from the pick. With neither side producing a documented advantage large enough to separate the exchange, Minnesota's return fits the same modest range as San Francisco's.

Minnesota acquired defensive backs Windlan Hall and Nate Allen from San Francisco for offensive lineman Steve Lawson and a 1978 sixth-round choice. Allen immediately started 11 games and intercepted three passes for the Vikings in 1976. That useful secondary return gave Minnesota real value without producing a decisive advantage.

Minnesota acquired running back Sammy Johnson from San Francisco for wide receiver Jim Lash during the 1976 season. Johnson stayed with the Vikings longer than Lash remained with the 49ers, but his offensive production was modest. Minnesota gained useful depth without finding a major difference-maker, leaving the exchange close to balanced.

Minnesota moved up nine spots in the second round of the 1980 draft to select defensive back Willie Teal, sending San Francisco picks No. 39 and 65. Teal became a productive Vikings starter and intercepted 15 passes in his NFL career. The 49ers used No. 39 on Keena Turner, an 11-year cornerstone and four-time Super Bowl champion, making San Francisco’s return clearly superior.

Minnesota acquired running back Keith Henderson from San Francisco on September 16, 1992, for a 1993 eighth-round pick. Henderson's NFL career effectively ended that season, limiting the Vikings' return. The 49ers used pick No. 219 on quarterback Elvis Grbac, who became a useful backup behind Steve Young and made starts for San Francisco. That direct quarterback depth gives the 49ers a clear win.

Minnesota traded linebacker Gerald Hodges to San Francisco in October 2015 for center Nick Easton and a 2016 sixth-round pick, later used on Moritz Boehringer. Boehringer never became a regular-season factor, but Easton developed into a useful Vikings interior lineman and made 17 starts for Minnesota. Hodges gave the 49ers immediate linebacker snaps, yet the combined Easton-plus-pick return created the better long-term value for the Vikings.

San Francisco sent picks No. 109 and No. 219 to Minnesota to move back into the 2017 third round for quarterback C.J. Beathard. Beathard made 12 starts and provided several seasons of backup value for the 49ers. Minnesota selected defensive tackle Jaleel Johnson and receiver Stacy Coley; Johnson became a four-year rotational lineman with 20 starts. Neither side found a star, but both received useful depth.

San Francisco moved from No. 31 to No. 25 and selected Brandon Aiyuk, while Minnesota used the return on Jeff Gladney, D.J. Wonnum and K.J. Osborn. The Vikings extracted multiple useful players, especially Wonnum and Osborn, but Aiyuk became an All-Pro receiver with consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and a major extension. His top-end impact gives the 49ers a narrow but meaningful win.

Minnesota traded pick No. 87 to San Francisco in the 2023 draft for Nos. 102, 164 and 222. The Vikings selected Mekhi Blackmon, Jaren Hall and DeWayne McBride, while the 49ers used No. 87 on safety Ji'Ayir Brown. Brown became the most durable starter in the deal, reaching 31 starts and five interceptions through 2025. San Francisco therefore produced the stronger concentrated return.

Minnesota acquired Jordan Mason and a 2025 sixth-round pick from San Francisco for a 2025 fifth-rounder and a 2026 sixth-rounder. Mason immediately supplied starting-caliber rushing production, while the 49ers turned the fifth-round slot into safety Marques Sigle and retained another future selection. Both teams found usable value, but Mason's 2025 workload gives Minnesota the modest edge.