Randy Moss Traded to Vikings for Draft Pick

(FOX Sports) - Seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Randy Moss was traded from the New England Patriots to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, FOX Sports reported Wednesday.

In doing so, the Minnesota Vikings pulled off their biggest blockbuster since acquiring quarterback Brett Favre.

FOX Sports learned Tuesday night that the Vikings and New England Patriots were in serious trade talks and very close to a deal to send the All-Pro wide receiver back to the team that drafted him.

There was talk that the Vikings and Moss would try to work out a contract extension before finalizing the deal, but the team decided to get the deal done and work out future details later.

"We feel very good about the opportunity to add a player of Randy Moss' caliber to this football team," Vikings head coach Brad Childress said in a statement.

"He is a tremendous competitor and was an integral member of the Vikings organization from 1998-2004. Once again, ownership was completely supportive of our efforts to add a valuable football player to our team. I know the entire organization is thrilled to welcome him back to the Twin Cities and look forward to his contributions."

The Vikings said Moss will address the media following practice on Thursday, while Childress will discuss the trade in further detail at a press conference Wednesday afternoon.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick issued a statement Wednesday wishing Moss well.

"Over the course of the past several months, I have spoken with Randy and his representative about Randy's place on our team and his future in football. Consistent with my dealings with Randy from the day we acquired him through our conversation this morning, it has been honest, thoughtful and with great mutual respect," Belichick said.

"While I will keep private the details of internal conversations with players and staff, suffice it to say that many things were taken into consideration before making the trade. In this business, there are complex and often difficult decisions, but it is my responsibility to make them based on what I feel is best for our football team, in both the short term and long term. I am grateful for the opportunity to have coached Randy Moss and aside from facing him as an opponent, I wish him the very best for the remainder of his Hall of Fame career."

Since the Vikings have had their bye and the Patriots haven't, Moss can potentially become the sixth player since 1990 play 17 games in a regular season.

The Vikings (1-2) opened the season with losses to the Saints and Dolphins, before getting a Week 3 win over the Lions. They play the Jets on the road on Monday night, then face the Cowboys at home before road trips to Green Bay and New England.

In a 41-point outburst Monday night over the Dolphins, Moss caught zero passes, and he has made his displeasure with his contract status known in New England.

Moss, 33, was a first-round pick of the Vikings in 1998 and shined for several years before being shipped to Oakland in 2005. The four-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowl selection was traded from the Raiders to the Patriots during the 2007 NFL draft in exchange for a fourth-round pick.

In his first three seasons in New England, Moss caught 250 passes for 3,765 yards and 47 touchdowns. In 2010, he has nine catches for 139 yards and three touchdowns.

The Vikings have been searching for a star-caliber receiver, but were unable to pick up Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson. Sidney Rice, who led the Vikings in receiving yards last season, is out until at least midseason after undergoing hip surgery in August.

For the Patriots, the acquisition of a third-round pick in the 2011 draft gives them two picks in each of the first four rounds.

The Patriots will have each of their own picks, to go with the third-rounder from the Moss deal. In addition, they own an extra first-round pick from the Raiders, a second-round pick from Carolina, and a fourth-round pick from Denver.

Source: FOX Sports