Top 5 Underrated Players in Vikings Franchise History

Ever since the inception of the Minnesota Vikings, we have had hundreds of phenomenal players and a multitude of Pro-Bowl, All-Pro, and Hall of Fame caliber players. This we know. But today I wanted to focus on the more underrated players in Vikings history. Players who did not necessarily make Pro-Bowl after Pro-Bowl but are staples in the rich history of the Minnesota Vikings. So do not expect to see the likes of Adrian Peterson, Cris Carter, Fran Tarkenton, Paul Krause, or John Randle on this list.

5. Chad Greenway, LB

Being born in the year 2000, I will admit this is more of a personal pick than the rest. I did not care or understand the game of football much until I was around 6 or 7 years old which is around the same time when Chad Greenway entered the NFL in 2007. While Greenway was never one to blow anyone away with his athleticism, he always seemed to be around the football at any given time for an entire decade. Greenway spent his entire career in Minnesota and notched 2 Pro-Bowls in 2011 and 2012, with 2012 being on the All-Pro 2nd Team as well. While there weren't many highlights from the late 2000s and early 2010s of Vikings football aside from a few fluky years, Chad Greenway was a staple for the team and held down that linebacker unit until he retired in 2016. 

4. Carl Lee, CB

The Vikings have not had many top tier, long lasting corners since its inception and Carl Lee is one of the few bright spots and undoubtedly one of the best corners in franchise history. Lee spent almost his entire career in Minnesota except for his final year in 1994 which he spent with the New Orleans Saints. Lee played 11 years for Minnesota and was an integral part of those late 80s to early 90s secondaries. Lee's best stretch of play was from 1988-90 where he made a Pro-Bowl every year, including his 1988 campaign where he was 1st Team All-Pro and was a DPOY Finalist. 

3. Kirk Cousins, QB

How dare I put Kirk Cousins as the 3rd most underrated player in franchise history! In an age of social media not many QBs in the entire NFL are as scrutinized as Kirk Cousins. While I agree that Kirk has his flaws, his play has been a bright spot for the Vikings over the past 4 years, regardless of what people may say. Kirk has all the stats and awards to back up his play: 16,387 yards, 124 TDs, 36 INTs, while being a pro-bowler for 2 of his 4 years as the starting quarterback. Kirks biggest knock is his ability to win. While I agree PARTIALLY with that sentiment, the Vikings have had a different offensive coordinator every year along with the recent firing of HC Mike Zimmer and GM Rick Spielman. Not to mention the Vikings over the past two seasons have had historically bad defensive units. So how much blame should we really be putting on Captain Kirk?

2. Chuck Foreman, RB/FB

Being a back from the early 1970s and with Adrian Peterson being known as a top 5 RB ever, it's easy for people to forget about you. But I can assure you Chuck Foreman was that dude. The 12th overall selection in the 1973 NFL Draft started his career out on fire with ROTY honors along with 5 straight Pro-Bowls, 3 All-Pro selections, and was in the running for MVP in 1974 and 1975. Chuck Foreman was also a pioneer, known as one the best pass catching backs for his time with 336 receptions and 23 receiving TDs over 7 years with the Vikings. While Chuck didn't play for a long time with the team compared to the others on this list, his time in Minnesota was so dominant that it would be a disservice to not include him on this list. 

1. Mick Tingelhoff, C

When I composed this list, I wanted the top spot to be reserved for someone truly underrated and overlooked and Mick Tingelhoff was the perfect candidate. Mick played for 17 (!) seasons all of which were with the Minnesota Vikings. Tingelhoff was, and still is, one of the most durable players of all time. At the time of his retirement, he was 2nd all time in consecutive games played with 240, only behind Jim Marshall at 270. Not only did Tingelhoff play for a long time, but he was also one of the best centers in the league for a majority of his career. In his first 8 years in the league, Tingelhoff was a ROTY finalist, 6-time Pro-Bowler, and made 6 All-Pro teams, 5 of which he was 1st Team. 

Remember, this is my personal list. I am sorry I did not include your favorite player from 1933. Thank you for viewing. 

Why Kirk Cousins is the Greatest Vikings QB of ALL TIME

 Top 5 Vikes QB's of ALL TIME

    When taking into consideration the top five greatest Vikings quarterbacks of all time, I must consider the three following things.

1) Talent

2) Meaningful Games

3) Longevity

#5 Wade Wilson (1987-1989)

- Wade Wilson flew under the radar as a Minnesota Vikings QB and up until doing my research, he flew under mine too. That's okay though! This guy was a bonified winner in his three-year stint with the Vikings. He made the playoffs every year, went 3-2 in those playoff games, and is one of the most underrated QBs in Vikings history. Unfortunately, I found out he lost his battle with diabetes in February of 2019. Rest easy Wade.

#4 Daunte Culpepper (1999-2005)

- Daunte Culpepper comes rolling in on the list at #4. His most iconic move was pumping his fists in a circular motion after throwing a TD pass. His best year came in 2004 when he lead the league in completions (379) and yards (4,717). Not to mention an unforgettable Vikings playoff win against the Packers in 2004, the only win in franchise history against the green and gold. Being one of two Vikings to be on the cover of Madden, and being the only Viking QB in franchise history to beat the Packers in the playoffs, Culpepper sits nicely on this list at #4. 

#3 Fran Tarkenton (1961-1966: 1972-1978)

- Fran Tarkenton had two separate stints with the Vikings, his second being better than his first. He's a hall of fame QB that many could argue is the greatest Viking QB of all time. Yes, he took us to three out of our only four Superbowls. Yes, he's played the most games at QB in Vikings history. Yes, he's our only QB to win MVP of the league. All these things are true. But let's get real, the guy was playing against mailmen and janitors. No disrespect to Tarkenton, he paved the way for guys of the future. But through the evolution of sports guys get bigger, faster, and more talented, and these next two guys on my list are simply more talented. 

#2 Brett Favre (2009-2010)

- This one might rub some people the wrong way. He didn't have the longevity that others did, but you can make the argument that Brett Favre put up one of the greatest seasons from a Vikings QB standpoint that we have ever seen. 107.2 QBR, 68.4 completion percentage, 4,202 yards, and 33 TD's. The numbers don't lie. That 2009 team was special. He lead us to an NFC Championship game that made you feel as if Brett Favre was going to bring us our first Lombardi trophy. In modern-day NFL officiating, theVikes win in a blowout due to all the cheap shots the New Orleans Saints laid on him. Unfortunately, this was back in 2009 and he was one interception throw away from leading us to our first Superbowl win in franchise history. That makes him one of the greatest to ever do it purple and gold. 

#1 Kirk Cousins (2018-present)

- Earlier I mentioned that I'd be ranking these QBs on talent, meaningful games, and longevity. CAPTAIN KIRK HAS ALL THREE. As a Viking, he's averaged a 68% completion rate, 4,096 yards passing, 31 TDs, and has a 103.8 career QBR. He's only won us one meaningful playoff game. But if the Vikings continue to keep him as our franchise QB he'll have more than enough time to lead us into multiple deep playoff runs. Talent + Meaningful Games + Longevity = Greatest Viking QB of All Time. 

As Always,

SKOL