Minnesota sent quarterback Gary Cuozzo to St. Louis in 1972…
Minnesota sent quarterback Gary Cuozzo to St. Louis in 1972 for John Gilliam plus 1973 second- and fourth-round choices. Gilliam immediately produced four strong Vikings seasons, the second-rounder became Jackie Wallace, and Minnesota later used the fourth-round asset to obtain punter Mike Eischeid. Cuozzo struggled in his lone Cardinals season. The volume and quality of Minnesota’s return make this a decisive Vikings win.
Arizona Cardinals Received
- player Gary Cuozzo
Minnesota Vikings Received
- player John Gilliam
- pick 1973 second round pick (#34-Jackie Wallace)
- pick 1973 fourth round pick (#89) [later traded to Kansas City Chiefs for Mike Eischeid]
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
Minnesota traded quarterback Gary Cuozzo to St. Louis on April 26, 1972 and received wide receiver John Gilliam plus second- and fourth-round selections in the 1973 draft. Draft records identify the second-round choice as No. 34, used on Jackie Wallace. Minnesota later sent the fourth-round asset, No. 89, to Kansas City for punter Mike Eischeid. That gives the Vikings three meaningful branches of value from one transaction.
What Minnesota Received
Gilliam was the centerpiece and immediately became a major offensive weapon. NFL statistics show 1,035 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in 1972, followed by 907 yards and eight scores in 1973. He remained productive through 1975. Wallace contributed as a defensive back and returner. Eischeid handled Minnesota’s punting for three seasons, including 62 punts at a 42.8-yard average in 1972 and full-season work in 1973 and 1974. The package supplied both star-level production and useful depth.
What St. Louis Received
Cuozzo did not match that return. Cardinals statistics for 1972 show him completing 69 of 158 passes for 897 yards, five touchdowns and 11 interceptions, producing a 43.7 passer rating. He did not become a long-term answer for St. Louis. The Cardinals acquired a veteran quarterback with prior starting experience, but his single-season performance left little enduring value.
Final Verdict
Minnesota wins by a wide margin. Gilliam alone delivered several high-end seasons, and the additional draft assets produced Wallace and the route to Eischeid. St. Louis received one difficult season from Cuozzo. An A for the Vikings and D+ for the Cardinals reflects both the star power and the depth Minnesota extracted from the deal while recognizing that Cuozzo did provide some starts.