Today in History: April 14, 1994 - Minnesota Vikings make Warren Moon their quarterback

Today in History revisits the Thursday, April 14, 1994 edition of the Grand Forks Herald and highlights a sports story on Warren Moon. The Minnesota Vikings were finalizing a deal to acquire veteran quarterback Warren Moon from the Houston Oilers. The agreement hinged on restructuring Moon’s contract. Warren Moon ended up playing for the Minnesota Vikings from 1994 to 1996.

By Mary Schmitt
Knight-Ridder Newspapers

ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Vikings have reached an agreement in principle with the Houston Oilers that would bring veteran quarterback Warren Moon to Minnesota. All that remains is for the Vikings to complete a restructuring of the remaining two years of Moon's contract, which Moon's agent said would be done soon.

"I don't anticipate anything bogging this down," said agent Leigh Steinberg, adding that the deal could be completed by today (Thursday, April 14, 1994).

Negotiations regarding financial conditions of the trade with the Oilers and side talks with Steinberg were ongoing Wednesday night (April 13, 1994.

"We're continuing to work out the final details," he said. "The deal with Warren is the last shoe."

Moon's new deal reportedly will be for two years with an option year and will pay him in excess of $3 million annually, including salary and some of the $6 million signing bonus. Steinberg has said Moon never would agree to a restructuring because, "If Warren is about to be a Viking, we'd like to structure it in a way that allows them to have as great a supporting cast as possible."

The Vikings reportedly will send a fourth-round draft choice to Houston this year and a conditional third-round pick next year. Oilers owner Bud Adams denied reports that the teams would switch draft positions in the second round this year.

"For all intents and purposes, we have a deal made today, except there are a lot of small things we have to sort out," Adams said. "I see no problems with this not being worked out. We just need time to do it."

It also will take time for this to sink in with Moon, a popular community figure in Houston who has spent his entire 10-year NFL career there.

He discussed his feelings about leaving the Oilers and coming to the Vikings on Houston television station KHOU.

"I'm still digesting it at this time, but I won't be playing football in the dome anymore," he said, referring to the Houston Astrodome. "But it's going to be nice. But I do feel a lot of sadness in me here.

"I'm very excited about the Minnesota career. I see this as a very positive challenge for me. They do have a good offensive team, a great head coach. They just need a couple of pieces. Hopefully, I'm one of those pieces."

Moon, 37, who met with Vikings offensive coordinator Brian Billick on Wednesday, would be the most decorated quarterback the Vikings have had since Fran Tarkenton retired in 1978.

Last season Moon was 303 of 520 for 58.2 percent and 21 touchdowns. He had a 75.2 quarterback rating with 21 interceptions.

Salisbury's reaction

The acquisition of Moon all but assures the release of unrestricted free agent Sean Salisbury. The Vikings backup who was in limbo while the Moon negotiations were taking place.

"There's no sour grapes, no bitterness," Salisbury said. "There's more disappointment. I think I gave a lot of respect to the fans and I don't know if it was reciprocated."

According to Curtis Salisbury, Sean's brother who also serves as his agent, if the Vikings do release the quarterback, they are interested in signing him to a one-year deal for next season that would make him eligible for the expansion teams that begin play in 1995.

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