JERRY BURNS
Game 332 | February 5, 1986 | Jerry Burns
Bud Grant was happy to hand the Vikings coaching reins over to his long-time friend and assistant, Jerry Burns. With Tommy Kramer at quarterback, Burns put together an offensive plan that emphasized high-percentage short passes. The team improved its record to 9-7 as Kramer passed for 3,000 yards to targets such as Steve Jordan, Darrin Nelson, Anthony Carter and Leo Lewis.
Game 348 | July 28, 1987 | Jerry Burns
In only his second year as Vikings coach, Burns' team won 10 games and advanced to the third round of the playoffs, losing to Washington 17-10. In the strike-shortened year Wade Wilson took over for Tommy Kramer at quarterback. Anthony Carter emerged as one of the most dangerous receivers in the league, leading the team with seven touchdown receptions. Darrin Nelson led the rushing with 642 yards.
Game 362 | July 19, 1988| Jerry Burns
The Vikings continued to play well in Burns' third season as head coach. The team compiled an 11-5 record in the regular season and defeated the Rams in the first round of the playoffs before losing to a San Francisco team led by Joe Montana and Jerry Rice. First-round draft choice Randall McDaniel made an immediate impression on the offensive line in front of Wade Wilson, Darrin Nelson and Anthony Carter.
Game 372 | July 19, 1989 | Jerry Burns
The Vikings were without a first-round draft choice in the 1989 draft, and Burns told Dunkers he thought the team was only a player or two away from being able to compete at the highest levels of the National Football League. Eighty-five days later the team pulled off perhaps the largest and least successful trade in NFL history when they shipped five players and eight draft choices to Dallas for running back Herschel Walker.
Game 389 | July 25, 1990 | Jerry Burns
Without its top draft choices because of the Herschel Walker trade, the Vikings dropped to a 6-10 record in 1990, losing their last four games of the season. Rich Gannon took over at quarterback, and Walker led the team in rushing with 770 yards.
Game 407 | July 17, 1991 | Jerry Burns
The rapidly approaching NFL season would be the last for Burns as the Vikings' head coach. The team's performance declined after the Herschel Walker trade, and in 1991 finished 8-8, third in the NFC Central Division.
