There is a Vikings connection to the explosive Deshaun Watson trade

In their trade to acquire Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, the Cleveland Browns did something that only the Minnesota Vikings have done in NFL history.

Well, it finally happened. After days of back-and-forth rumors and reports, the Cleveland Browns and head coach Kevin Stefanski, formerly of the Minnesota Vikings, made a massive trade with the Houston Texans to acquire controversial quarterback Deshaun Watson.

In order to land Watson from the Texans, the Browns gave up a colossal amount of assets in the deal.

In the trade for Watson, Cleveland reportedly sent Houston three first-round draft picks, a third-round selection, and another late-round draft pick according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport. In addition to what they gave up in the deal for the quarterback, the Browns also gave him a new five-year contract with $230 million in fully guaranteed money.

Cleveland Browns trade for Deshaun Watson reminiscent of an infamous Minnesota Vikings trade

Obviously, Cleveland gave up a lot in the deal for Watson as only one other team in NFL history has given up three first-round draft picks in a trade. That team? Well, that would be the Vikings.

Back in 1989, Minnesota agreed to the infamous deal that landed them running back Herschel Walker and then essentially created the Dallas Cowboys dynasty of the 1990s.

In exchange for Walker, two third-round draft picks, and a 10th-round selection, the Vikings sent the Cowboys three first-round draft picks, three second-round draft selections, one third-round pick, and one sixth-round selection.

Coincidentally, the Browns also sent an offer to Dallas to try and acquire Walker. But in the end, the Cowboys accepted Minnesota’s offer.

Cleveland is obviously hoping that their decision to trade three first-round picks will work out better than when the Vikings did it in back in 1989 since Walker never rushed for more than 825 yards in a single season during his time in Minnesota.