Andy Lyons/Getty Images
In some respects, the Minnesota Vikings are the NFC counterparts to the Buffalo Bills. From 1970–77 the Vikings went to the Super Bowl four times and lost four times. They were basically manhandled each time. Still to get to the Super Bowl four times in that short time frame requires talent. The Vikings have come close to getting into the Super Bowl on various occasions after that, so Vikings fans have seen some great players come and go. A few guys I really considered putting on this list are Matt Blair, Chris Doleman, and Grady Alderman.
10 a. Mick Tingelhoff
During the 60s Mick was probably the best center in the NFL. He was named to six Pro Bowls and five All-Pro teams during that decade. His career spanned from 1962–1978. That kind of longevity and excellence deserves recognition. Why is it that I know more about centers from the 60s and 70s than the guys playing the position now? I guess it’s an old guy thing.
10. Ron Yary
And here comes another offensive lineman. Like Mick Tingelhoff, Yary was also a longtime Viking. Yary’s 15-year Vikings career ran from 1968–82, so he actually overlapped Tingelhoff for a number of seasons. And like Tingelhoff, Yary went to all four of the Vikings Super Bowls. Yary also snagged a number of awards. . He was named to seven Pro Bowls and six All-Pro teams. Ron was named to the Pro Football Reference’s first All 70s team and the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s second team All 70s team.
9. Kevin Williams
Williams was a dominant force in the Vikings’ defense line during the 2000s. He was named to the Pro Bowl from 2004–10 and All-Pro from 2004–2009. Williams rolled up 60 sacks in 11 seasons in Minnesota while stuffing the run. He also forced 10 fumbles and recovered 13. In addition, he picked off two passes and turned two fumble recoveries into TDs. Williams was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Pro Football Reference’s second team All 2000s team.
8. Joey Browner
This hard-hitting strong safety provided the Vikings with excellent defensive play from 1983–92. In addition to his run support, Browner intercepted 37 passes and recovered 17 fumbles. He also scored four defensive TDs. Browner was named to the Pro Bowl six consecutive times, starting in 1985. He was also named All-Pro in three of those seasons. Joey was also named to the Pro Football Reference second team All 80s team. Browner also picked up 9.5 sacks from his safety position. Browner was an excellent, well-rounded safety.
7. Chris Carter
Chris Carter had great hands and a knack for catching TD passes. If you’re going to be a one-trick pony, that’s a pretty good trick to have. Crater played 12 seasons for the Vikings and led the NFL in TD passes caught three times. His high was 17 in 1995. He twice caught 122 passes in a season. In 1994 that was good enough to lead the NFL in that category. His career line in Minnesota was 1004 catches for 12383 yards and 110 TDs. In 12 playoff games, Carter caught another 60 passes for eight TDs. Carter is the Vikings’ career leader in all those stats. Those numbers led to being named to eight Pro Bowls and three All-Pro teams. The Pro Football Hall of Fame had Chris on their All 90s first team whereas Pro Football Reference had him on the second team.
6. Randall McDaniel
And another offensive lineman makes the list. One of the reasons the Vikings made the playoffs eight times from the period of 1992–2000 was Randall McDaniel. McDaniel was a Pro Bowler in every one of those seasons and an All-Pro six times. Randall was named to the Pro Bowl 12 times in all and an All-Pro seven times. He was named to both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Pro Football Reference All 90s first team. McDaniel was indeed dominant at his position.
5: Justin Jefferson
Justin came into the league with a bang and in his fourth season hasn’t slowed down. In 2022 Justin led the NFL in catches with 128 and yards with 1809. He was named to the All-Pro Team as well as the Pro Bowl. Jefferson was also The Sporting News NFL Rookie of the Year. He should be starring for the Vikings for a few more years.
4. Randy Moss
Randy was the greatest big-play guy in Vikings history. Moss spent the first seven seasons of his career in Minnesota and caught 90 TD passes. He later came back for a part of a season and caught another two TD passes. Randy led the NFL in TD catches three times while with the Vikes. His award count included five Pro Bowls and three All-Pro teams while in Minnesota. Moss’ numbers aren’t quite what Carter’s were, but he was more dynamic for the time he was there.
3. Carl Eller
Carl was a member of the Purple People Eaters and went to all four of the Vikings Super Bowls. Though sacks weren’t an official stat during Eller’s career, he unofficially recorded 130.5 sacks. Eller was named to the Pro Bowl six times between the years 1968–74. He was also named All-Pro five times during that same period. In all, Carl had a robust 15-year career with the Vikings and was named to both The Pro Football Hall of Fame and Pro Football Reference All 70s team.
2. Alan Page
Page is the other member of the Purple People Eaters to make this list. Alan’s career arc is similar to that of Carl Eller’s. Page played for the Vikings from 1967 to six games into the 1978 season. His sack total in Minnesota was 108.5. His high was 18 in 1976. Page wasn’t particularly big for a defensive tackle but was quick. He was the 1971 NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Alan’s excellent play was rewarded with nine Pro Bowls and six All-Pro teams. In a statistical oddity, Page recorded three safeties. In a split decision, Pro Football Reference had Page on their All 70s first team while Pro Football Reference had him on their second team.
1. Fran Tarkenton
Fran put together a remarkable career for a guy who always seemed to be dumping off swing passes to running backs. There must have been more to Fran’s game than that. While in Minnesota he went to five Pro Bowls and was named to the All-Pro Team in 1975. He was also named the NFL’s MVP that season. Pro Football Reference named him to their first team All 60s team, which I found surprising. The Pro Football Hall of Fame had him on their second team. Fran was considered quite the scrambler in his day. Fran’s biggest year rushing was in 1966 when he ran for 376 yards. Of course, those were 376 exciting yards.
So, what does your list look like?
