Minnesota acquired tight end Tony Jeter from Pittsburgh on…
Minnesota acquired tight end Tony Jeter from Pittsburgh on July 20, 1969, for the 1970 sixth-round selection that became Clarence Kegler. Contemporary reporting and Vikings draft history both identify the future pick, while the draft history pins it to No. 155 overall. Jeter provided only limited Vikings impact, and Kegler did not create a major Steelers payoff, leaving the exchange close to neutral.
Minnesota Vikings Received
- player Tony Jeter
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- pick 1970 sixth round pick (#155-Clarence Kegler)
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
The Vikings acquired Tony Jeter from Pittsburgh on July 20, 1969. Minnesota sent a future draft choice that is identified in the 1970 draft record as the sixth-round pick at No. 155 overall, used by Pittsburgh on Clarence Kegler. Contemporary coverage reported the trade as Jeter for a future selection, and Vikings draft history later tied their missing sixth-round pick directly to the Jeter acquisition.
What Minnesota Got
Jeter was an experienced tight end who had previously been drafted by Green Bay and spent time with Pittsburgh. Minnesota was preparing a roster that would reach Super Bowl IV, so adding veteran depth at a low acquisition cost was sensible. Jeter, however, did not become a major offensive piece for the Vikings. His value was primarily depth and competition rather than sustained receiving production or a long starting tenure. That makes it difficult to award Minnesota more than an average grade even though the cost was only a sixth-rounder.
What Pittsburgh Got
The Steelers recovered the No. 155 selection in the 1970 draft and used it on Clarence Kegler. A sixth-round choice offered Chuck Noll another roster-building opportunity during the early stages of Pittsburgh’s overhaul. Kegler did not develop into a notable long-term Steelers contributor, so the pick did not create a meaningful advantage over the player Pittsburgh surrendered. The team gained flexibility, but the realized return remained modest.
Final Verdict
This is an even trade. Minnesota acquired a veteran depth option for a low draft cost, while Pittsburgh turned a player it was prepared to move into a future selection. Neither Jeter’s Vikings tenure nor Kegler’s outcome produced enough value to separate the sides. C grades fit both clubs: the transaction was defensible, inexpensive, and functional, but it did not meaningfully alter either franchise’s trajectory. The clearest conclusion is that both teams exchanged marginal roster value without producing a lasting winner.