Minnesota acquired Jerry Reichow from Washington in September…
Minnesota acquired Jerry Reichow from Washington in September 1961 for draft-choice compensation, later identified in Vikings historical material as a seventh-round choice. Reichow immediately became one of the expansion club's best offensive players, catching 50 passes for 859 yards and 11 touchdowns in 1961 and remaining with Minnesota through 1964. That production makes the Vikings the clear winner.
Minnesota Vikings Received
- player Jerry Reichow
Washington Commanders Received
- pick draft choice (later Vikings history identifies a 7th-round choice)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Minnesota acquired Jerry Reichow from Washington in September 1961 for draft-choice consideration. Contemporary reporting establishes the move, while later Vikings historical material identifies the compensation as a seventh-round draft choice. The precise archival descriptions are not perfectly uniform, but they agree on the essential exchange: a future pick went to Washington and Reichow joined the expansion Vikings.
Minnesota Vikings Return
Minnesota received immediate, high-level production. Reichow played all 14 games in the Vikings' inaugural season and caught 50 passes for 859 yards and 11 touchdowns, leading the club in receiving yardage and earning Pro Bowl recognition. He stayed with Minnesota through 1964, adding productive seasons of 561, 479 and 284 receiving yards. That four-year return dwarfed the typical expectation for a late-round asset.
Washington Return
Washington received draft capital rather than losing Reichow for nothing. That was a defensible roster decision for an established club dealing with a veteran receiver. Still, the value of a seventh-round choice must be measured against what Minnesota actually received. Without a clearly documented downstream star tied to the pick, Washington's side cannot match four useful seasons and a standout inaugural campaign.
Value in Hindsight
Reichow's first Minnesota season is the hinge point. Expansion teams often struggle to find dependable veteran offense, yet the Vikings obtained a player who immediately produced 11 touchdowns and nearly 900 receiving yards. His later work for the organization became notable too, but the trade verdict does not need that post-playing legacy; his on-field production alone creates substantial separation.
Final Verdict
Minnesota earns an A- for turning draft compensation into one of the most productive players on its inaugural roster and four seasons of service. Washington receives a C because a draft choice was real value, even if its downstream result is not established here. Reichow's immediate production makes this a clear Minnesota Vikings Win.