In today’s Pioneer Press, the paper ranks the 10 biggest trades in Vikings history from best to worst. Best? The trade that brought Fran Tarkenton back from New York. Fair enough. The worst? The Randy Moss trade.
Sure, that was a bad trade but, um, what about Herschel Walker?!? Please. The Herschel Walker trade was without a doubt the worst trade in Vikings‘ history, if not in NFL history.
At the time it was the largest player trade in NFL history, probably still is. On October 12, 1989, Vikings general manager Mike Lynn sent linebackers Jesse Solomon and David Howard, defensive back Issiac Holt, defensive end Alex Stewart, and running back Darrin Nelson, and 6 draft picks (conditional picks in the 1st & 2nd round in 1990 and 1991 and their 1st round and a conditional 3rd round pick in 1992) to the Dallas Cowboys for their star running back, Herschel Walker.
Dallas shrewdly waived and schemed and manuevered and ended up drafting the team that built their Super Bowl dynasty of the 90s on the foundation of the Herschel Walker trade.
The most notable players the Cowboys got in the deal were NFL all-time rushing leader running back Emmitt Smith, defensive tackle Russell Maryland, cornerback Kevin Smith, Pro Bowl safety Darren Woodson, and cornerback Clayton Holmes.
It took nearly a decade for the Vikings to recover.
C’mon.
Maybe there’s a reason Knight Ridder was being sold.
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