5 worst trades in Minnesota Vikings history

4. Desperate for a quarterback

In the summer of 2016, it looked like Teddy Bridgewater would be the Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback for the foreseeable future (much to the chagrin of some who didn’t think much of his skill set). Then very late in the preseason, he suffered what would be a career-altering knee injury.

Otherwise in a good position to win, or so they felt, the Vikings could not stand pat with Shaun Hill as their No. 1 quarterback. The Philadelphia Eagles had drafted Carson Wentz that April, with former No. 1 overall pick Sam Bradford as a tradeable asset with the then-rookie looking worthy of the starting job.

Knowing he had all the leverage given the Vikings’ situation, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman got a 2017 first-round pick from Spielman for Bradford. That pick, 14th overall the following April, became a somewhat useful player for the Eagles (defensive end Derek Barnett).

Bradford made his Vikings debut in Week 2 of 2016, and the team went unbeaten in his first four starts to start 5-0 overall. But it was all downhill from there, with eight losses in their last 11 games to miss the playoffs.

Bradford played in just two games in 2017, his second and last season with the Vikings, before his chronically ailing knees fully betrayed him and set the stage for Case Keenum to take over and lead an improbable run to the NFC Championship Game.

Desperation is a terrible thing, and the Vikings were desperate for a quarterback after Bridgewater went down on the brink of the 2016 season. It landed them with an injury-prone Bradford, and he eventually fully lived up to that label.