Minnesota Vikings · Franchise era 3 of 7
Between Tarkenton and the Dome: the Minnesota Vikings story
The story in one sentence
Minnesota remained dangerous, including a surprise 1987 NFC title-game run, while assembling the stars of its next offense.
Carter arrives as an unlikely new cornerstone
Anthony Carter, Chris Doleman and Joey Browner gave the era its recognizable core.
Its ending created the conditions for carter, moss and the 1998 heartbreak.
Timeline
How it unfolded
Before 1980
What came before
Bud Grant's disciplined teams and a historic defensive front reached four Super Bowls and made Minnesota a permanent contender.
1983-01-09
Wild Card: Atlanta Falcons vs Minnesota Vikings
1988-01-09
Divisional Round: Minnesota Vikings vs San Francisco 49ers
1988-01-17
Conference Championship: Minnesota Vikings vs Washington
- 01TradeOctober 12, 1989
October 12, 1989
The Herschel Walker trade that built a dynasty
The Vikings believed one star could complete a contender. Jimmy Johnson viewed Walker as the fastest route to rebuilding the NFL's worst team.
To MIN19903RDround asset1990PICKround asset+2 assets
To DALDraftPICKround asset+6 assetsThe Herschel Walker tradeMIN receives Herschel Walker, 1990 third · No. 54, 1990 fifth · No. 116 + 2 moreDAL receives Jesse Solomon, David Howard, Issiac Holt + 6 more14 original assets · 3 outcomes tracedOpen trade → After 1991
What came next
Moss transformed the league as a rookie and the 15–1 Vikings set a scoring record before falling in overtime one game short of the Super Bowl.
The core