San Diego acquired veteran guard Ed White for Rickey Young…
San Diego acquired veteran guard Ed White for Rickey Young and received an exceptional long-term starter for the Air Coryell era. White remained a fixture on the Chargers’ offensive line for eight seasons and earned Pro Bowl recognition. The Chargers get the slight edge, but Minnesota’s return was far stronger than a losing-side grade normally suggests.
Los Angeles Chargers Received
- player Ed White (Alvin)
Minnesota Vikings Received
- player Rickey Young
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Actually Did
Minnesota sent veteran guard Ed White to San Diego for running back Rickey Young on July 28, 1978. It was a one-for-one exchange, but both clubs acquired players who fit their offenses unusually well. White became a durable interior lineman for a Chargers team moving into the Air Coryell period, while Young immediately became a high-volume multipurpose back for Minnesota.
Why San Diego Gets the Edge
White’s longevity is the separator. He remained with the Chargers through 1985, started nearly every game across that span and earned Pro Bowl recognition while blocking for one of the NFL’s most productive passing attacks. Interior offensive linemen rarely generate glamorous statistics, but White supplied eight seasons of continuity at a premium level. San Diego was not merely buying a short veteran bridge; it acquired a foundational starter who remained useful deep into his thirties.
How Minnesota Also Won Value
Young’s Vikings tenure was excellent enough that a harsh grade is impossible to defend. In 1978 he caught 88 passes, the most in the league, while also rushing for more than 400 yards. A year later he topped 700 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards. He stayed in Minnesota for six seasons and gave the offense a flexible runner and receiver at a time when that type of back created matchup problems. The Vikings surrendered a better long-term player but still received a highly productive one.
Final Verdict
San Diego receives an A and Minnesota an A-. White’s eight-year run, durability and high-level line play create the slight advantage, but Young produced immediately and remained valuable for years. This was not a fleecing; it was a rare veteran swap in which both teams can point to a strong football return. The Chargers win narrowly on longevity and positional impact.