The Micah Parsons trade took the NFL by storm last week. Like most blockbuster deals, it evoked memories of past trades throughout the years. And like usual, the infamous Herschel Walker trade was brought up.
Bleacher Report ranked the eight most shocking blockbuster trade deals in NFL history. The Walker trade, which helped build the Dallas Cowboys dynasty of the 1990s, ranked third on the list.
In order to add Walker, Minnesota surrendered linebacker Jesse Solomon, linebacker David Howard, cornerback Issiac Holt, defensive end Alex Stewart, 1990 first-, second- and sixth-round picks, 1991 first- and second-round picks and 1992 first-, second- and third-round selections.
The Vikings received Walker, two third-rounders, a fifth-rounder and a 10th-rounder back. They ended up getting a fifth-round pick from the Chargers as well, after running back Darrin Nelson—who was originally sent to Dallas in the trade—ended up in San Diego.
This proved to be a great deal for Dallas and a regrettable one for Minnesota, though it didn’t appear quite so one-sided at the time. Each of the players the Cowboys received in the trade had conditional draft picks attached to them, most of which Dallas never relinquished because players were cut.
The Vikings believed they were a running back away from contending. Instead, they lost in the NFC Divisional Round in 1989 and missed the playoffs the following two seasons. Walker would sign with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1992, the first of three Super Bowl seasons for the Cowboys.
Advertisement
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Vikings Herschel Walker trade ranked among most shocking in history