Minnesota traded safety John Turner to San Diego on August…
Minnesota traded safety John Turner to San Diego on August 10, 1984, for compensation that ultimately converted to the Chargers’ 1985 third-round pick, No. 66. The Vikings used it on Tim Long. Turner spent one season with the Chargers and returned to Minnesota in 1985, so the Vikings gained the draft asset without permanently losing the veteran defensive back.
Los Angeles Chargers Received
- player John Turner
Minnesota Vikings Received
- pick 1985 third round pick (#66-Tim Long) ( Billy Shields contingency conversion)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Minnesota traded safety John Turner to San Diego on August 10, 1984. The compensation was initially tied to a Billy Shields contingency and ultimately converted into the Chargers’ 1985 third-round choice, pick No. 66. Minnesota used that selection on Tim Long. Pro Sports Transactions lists the draft-pick chain but misdates the original move to 1985; the Chargers’ own media guide places the trade correctly on August 10, 1984.
Minnesota Vikings Return
The draft choice became Long, an offensive lineman who did not establish a Vikings regular-season career. Ordinarily that would make the return look disappointing. The unusual twist is Turner himself: after spending the 1984 season with San Diego, he returned to Minnesota in 1985 and again contributed in the Vikings secondary. Minnesota therefore obtained the third-round asset and later regained the veteran player.
Los Angeles Chargers Return
San Diego received one season of Turner. He appeared in 15 games and made several starts, giving the Chargers immediate secondary depth. That is legitimate value, but the club did not retain him beyond the season, and the third-round compensation became a meaningful cost even though Minnesota did not hit on Long.
Value in Hindsight
The pick outcome alone would favor San Diego because Long did little for Minnesota. The broader transaction sequence changes the balance. Minnesota was able to recover Turner as a free agent after the Chargers’ one-year use while still keeping the draft compensation. That combination gives the Vikings more aggregate value than the draft result by itself suggests.
Final Verdict
Minnesota keeps the narrow win, B to San Diego’s B-. The Vikings did not convert No. 66 into a successful player, but they received a third-round asset and later got Turner back. The Chargers received a useful 1984 season, so their side remains respectable rather than poor.