Seattle Seahawks vs Minnesota Vikings: A Long History of Stolen Weapons

Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

When the Seahawks and Vikings meet on Sunday, Minnesota will be hoping that Seattle doesn’t take the win away from them. After all, Seattle has taken a lot from the Vikings over the last few years.

First it was Nate Burleson, and then it was Sidney Rice. Most recently it was Percy Harvin.

Minnesota’s plundering hasn’t been as plentiful. They were able to sign away Steve Hutchinson, but other than that there haven’t been too many prominent ex-Seahawks in a purple uniform.

For some reason the Seahawks like acquiring prominent Vikings’ receivers, especially ones not far removed from breakout seasons.

Burleson was signed having only been one year removed from a season in which he hauled in 68 catches (second on the team), 1006 receiving yards (first) and nine touchdowns (second). It’s also worthy pointing out that outside of touchdowns, those numbers were significantly better than a certain Randy Moss’ numbers that year.

Rice was also a year removed from a fantastic year. He was Brett Favre’s favorite target as he led the team in receptions (83) and receiving yards (1312). He was second only to red-zone maven Visanthe Shiancoe in touchdowns, with eight.

Finally, Harvin led the team in receptions and receiving yards in each of his final three seasons in Minnesota. He led the team in touchdowns in two of those years, finishing second only to Kyle Rudolph’s nine scores last season.

Sure, Koren Robinson landed in Minnesota after being cut by Seattle. Sure, the Vikings signed John Carlson when Pete Carroll and friends felt they were better off with other tight end options. But outside of Hutch, the Seahawks have generally won the trade/signing battle with Minnesota.

Watch out Vikings, the Seahawks are coming for Cordarrelle Patterson in 2016.