Minnesota acquired safety Paul Krause from Washington for…
Minnesota acquired safety Paul Krause from Washington for Marlin McKeever and a seventh-round pick, one of the defining trades in Vikings history. Krause played 12 seasons in Minnesota, started on all four Vikings Super Bowl teams and retired as the NFL's career interceptions leader with 81, a record he still holds. Washington received legitimate assets, but nothing close to the Hall of Fame value Minnesota captured.
Minnesota Vikings Received
- player Paul Krause (a)
Washington Commanders Received
- player Marlin McKeever
- pick 1969 seventh round pick (#173-John Didion)
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
In 1968, Washington traded safety Paul Krause to Minnesota for veteran linebacker Marlin McKeever and a seventh-round draft choice. The Pro Football Hall of Fame records those terms, and Minnesota's own history notes that its seventh-round pick went to Washington along with McKeever for Krause. Krause was already an elite ballhawk, with 28 interceptions in his first four NFL seasons.
What Minnesota Got
The Vikings acquired a foundational player for the defense that would dominate the NFC in the 1970s. Krause played 12 more seasons in Minnesota, appeared in all four Vikings Super Bowls and finished his career with 81 interceptions. That remains the NFL record. His arrival also coincided with Minnesota's immediate rise from three wins in 1967 to eight wins and a division title in 1968. Few trades produce both elite longevity and a league record at a premium defensive position.
What Washington Got
Washington received McKeever, an established linebacker, plus a seventh-round choice that became John Didion. Those were real assets rather than empty compensation, and McKeever had already been a productive NFL player. The issue is scale. Neither return asset approached Krause's longevity, accolades or role on repeated championship-caliber teams. Washington moved a 26-year-old future Hall of Famer before the most enduring portion of his career.
Final Verdict
This is an A+ trade for Minnesota and a D for Washington. The Vikings paid a veteran and a late pick for 12 seasons of Hall of Fame safety play, four Super Bowl appearances and the league's all-time interceptions leader. Washington's package prevents the grade from being a complete failure, but the opportunity cost of surrendering Krause makes the historical verdict overwhelming.