Minnesota acquired veteran quarterback George Shaw from New…
Minnesota acquired veteran quarterback George Shaw from New York for its 1962 first-round pick, which became the No. 2 overall selection. The Giants later flipped that premium choice to the Rams for star receiver Del Shofner and another 1962 first-rounder. Shaw gave the expansion Vikings experienced quarterback depth, but New York transformed the pick into far greater long-term value and a major offensive contributor.
Minnesota Vikings Received
- player George Shaw
New York Giants Received
- pick 1962 first-round pick, No. 2 overall
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Actually Did
On January 11, 1961, the expansion Vikings acquired quarterback George Shaw from the Giants for Minnesota's 1962 first-round pick. That selection became No. 2 overall. The transaction record shows no additional hidden consideration, making the package a clean one-player-for-one-pick exchange. New York later used the No. 2 choice as the centerpiece of another important deal.
Why Minnesota Made the Deal
Minnesota needed experienced quarterbacks while building its first roster. Shaw had already started in the NFL and gave the Vikings a veteran option before Fran Tarkenton emerged. The logic was understandable for an expansion club trying to become functional quickly, but the cost carried enormous upside because Minnesota's future first was likely to land near the top of the draft.
What New York Received
The Giants did not simply hold the No. 2 pick. In August 1961 they traded it to the Rams for receiver Del Shofner and the No. 13 choice in the same draft. Shofner became an immediate star in New York, making five consecutive Pro Bowls with the Giants and providing elite receiving production for championship-caliber teams.
How the Value Developed
Shaw appeared for Minnesota but did not become the franchise quarterback. Tarkenton quickly took over that role. New York, meanwhile, converted Shaw into premium draft leverage and then into Shofner plus another first-round pick. That downstream conversion makes the gap much larger than a simple comparison of Shaw against an unused selection.
Final Verdict
The Giants win decisively. Minnesota solved a short-term expansion need, but the price became one of the most valuable selections in the 1962 draft. New York then turned that asset into a premier receiver and additional first-round value, producing a far stronger lasting return.
Shofner's Giants career made New York's downstream conversion far more valuable than Shaw's Minnesota tenure.