Minnesota acquired defensive lineman Steve Niehaus. His…
Minnesota acquired defensive lineman Steve Niehaus. His Vikings tenure was brief: he appeared in three games in 1979 and made no starts. That limited the direct value Minnesota received from the deal. The longer view produces a C grade for Minnesota Vikings. Seattle receives a B and Minnesota a C.
Minnesota Vikings Received
- player Steve Niehaus
Seattle Seahawks Received
- player Carl Eller
- pick 1980 eighth round pick (#204-Vic Minor)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Minnesota Vikings received Steve Niehaus, while Seattle Seahawks received Carl Eller and 1980 eighth round pick (#204-Vic Minor). The transaction is best judged by the football value those assets ultimately produced for the teams that acquired them, rather than by draft position or name recognition alone.
What Minnesota Vikings Received
Minnesota acquired defensive lineman Steve Niehaus. His Vikings tenure was brief: he appeared in three games in 1979 and made no starts. That limited the direct value Minnesota received from the deal.
What Seattle Seahawks Received
Seattle received Hall of Fame defensive end Carl Eller plus Minnesota's 1980 eighth-round selection, No. 204, which became Vic Minor. Eller played all 16 games for Seattle in 1979 with eight starts, while Minor later appeared in 20 NFL games across 1980 and 1981.
How the Value Developed
The trade involved veteran names on both sides, but their post-trade contributions separated quickly. Niehaus barely played for Minnesota. Seattle received a full season from Eller and also retained a draft choice that produced another NFL player. The combined quantity and duration of Seattle's return gives it the better outcome.
Why the Difference Matters
The important distinction is realized team value. Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks each acquired something usable, but the length, role and quality of the resulting contributions were not equal. That difference is what drives the hindsight grades without exaggerating the importance of a standard-tier transaction.
Final Verdict
Seattle receives a B and Minnesota a C. Eller was near the end of his career, so this is not an enormous win, but Seattle still obtained substantially more usable football value. Minnesota's three-game return from Niehaus was too limited to keep the exchange even.