LA Chargers: The best trade in team history with the Minnesota Vikings

The LA Chargers received an all-time great from the Minnesota Vikings.

In what has become an ongoing series here at Bolt Beat, we are breaking down the best trade that the LA Chargers have ever made with every single other franchise in the NFL. Today, we break down the best trade with the Minnesota Vikings.

Trades are not very frequent in the NFL and the most recent trades that the two sides have made have not been notable in the slightest. However, the most recent trade between the two teams netted the Chargers a sixth-round pick that led to fan-favorite fullback Derek Watt, who is now on the Pittsburgh Steelers.

However, there is one trade from way back in the day that is undoubtedly the best trade that the LA Chargers have made with the Vikings and is one of the best trades for the Chargers in team history.

The LA Chargers’ best ever trade with the Minnesota Vikings:

The LA Chargers and Minnesota Vikings were involved in what has been dubbed as potentially the first sign-and-trade deal in pro sports history.

Ed White was a free agent after the 1977 season and after not receiving any qualifying offers from any team, the Vikings worked out a deal with the Chargers where the Bolts would pay White the contract he wanted and would send Minnesota a player in return.

The player that Minnesota got in return was Rickey Young, who was a solid running back for the team and especially was a good addition for someone that was not expected to stay in Minnesota, anyway.

Young’s best season was 1979, where he rushed for 708 yards and three touchdowns while adding 519 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns.

The Chargers got an even better return in Ed White. White was already a three-time Pro Bowl guard in the NFL and continued his success in San Diego. While he was only a one-time Pro Bowler with the Chargers, he was a long-time starter for the team and was an above-average guard in every single season that he played.

Oh, and he is one of the most durable players in Chargers history. He only missed two total games with the Chargers.

White is one of the greatest offensive linemen in Chargers history and you could absolutely make the case that he belongs in Canton with the career that he had with both Minnesota and San Diego.

His 128 career Approximate Value is 28th all-time among offensive linemen.