Minnesota acquired quarterback Gary Cuozzo from New Orleans…
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. Neither became a star for the Saints, but two first-round assets still outweighed Cuozzo's uneven Minnesota tenure, giving New Orleans the better return without making the trade a franchise-changing victory.
Minnesota Vikings Received
- player Gary Cuozzo
New Orleans Saints Received
- pick 1968 first round pick (#7-Kevin Hardy)
- pick 1969 first round pick (#17-John Shinners)
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Actually Did
Minnesota traded its 1968 and 1969 first-round picks to New Orleans for quarterback Gary Cuozzo on January 29, 1968. The 1968 choice became No. 7 Kevin Hardy, and the 1969 choice became No. 17 John Shinners. Saints draft records explicitly identify both first-round selections as coming from Minnesota in the Cuozzo deal.
Why the Price Was So High
Quarterback scarcity explains Minnesota's aggression. Cuozzo had spent time behind Johnny Unitas and was still viewed as a possible starter, while the Vikings were transitioning after Fran Tarkenton's departure. But paying consecutive first-round selections required Cuozzo to become more than a temporary solution. His Minnesota career did not reach that level, leaving the Vikings with a costly acquisition that never stabilized the position for the long term.
How New Orleans Used the Picks
The Saints did not maximize the windfall. Hardy, selected seventh overall, played only 45 NFL games and was soon lost to San Francisco as part of the Dave Parks compensation dispute. Shinners had a nine-year NFL career but only three seasons in New Orleans. Those outcomes keep this from being an A-level Saints victory even though the underlying return was excellent.
Final Verdict
New Orleans wins on asset value. Turning Cuozzo into two first-round picks was strong business, even though the Saints' drafting and later roster decisions muted the payoff. Minnesota received some quarterback utility but not enough for the price. A B+ for New Orleans and C for Minnesota balances the strong acquisition return against imperfect execution.