Minnesota traded punter Bobby Walden to Pittsburgh for a 1969…
Minnesota traded punter Bobby Walden to Pittsburgh for a 1969 fifth-round pick that became Mike O'Shea. Walden immediately handled the Steelers' punting job, made the Pro Bowl in 1969 and remained in Pittsburgh through 1977, including the franchise's first two Super Bowl championship seasons. O'Shea was released by Minnesota before playing an NFL game. Pittsburgh turned a fifth-rounder into a decade-long specialist and wins decisively.
Minnesota Vikings Received
- pick 1969 fifth round pick (#112-Mike O'Shea)
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- player Bobby Walden
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
On August 15, 1968, Minnesota sent veteran punter Bobby Walden to Pittsburgh for a 1969 fifth-round draft choice. The Vikings used that pick, No. 112 overall, on Utah State receiver Mike O'Shea. Minnesota's official draft history explicitly identifies the choice as coming from Pittsburgh for Walden, and the draft transaction record lists the same exchange.
What Pittsburgh Got
Pittsburgh obtained a specialist who solved the position for a decade. Walden punted in every game for the Steelers in 1968 and earned a Pro Bowl selection in 1969. He remained with the franchise through 1977, spanning the team's rise from the bottom of the league to its first two Super Bowl championships. Even though a punter is not a premium-position acquisition, ten seasons of continuity and high-level performance from a fifth-round cost is excellent value.
What Minnesota Got
The Vikings received a fifth-round selection, which was reasonable compensation on the day of the deal. The problem came with the result of that pick. O'Shea signed with Minnesota after being drafted but was released on September 1, 1969, and never appeared in an NFL regular-season game. Minnesota therefore converted an established veteran into a draft choice that produced no league contribution for the club.
Final Verdict
Pittsburgh wins by a wide margin. The Steelers bought ten years of punting stability, a Pro Bowl season and a player who remained through two championship campaigns. Minnesota's return had theoretical value but no NFL payoff. Pittsburgh earns an A for maximizing a fifth-round investment, while Minnesota falls to a D because the player selected with the acquired pick never made a regular-season contribution.