BREAKING NEWS: The head coach of the minnesota vikings has terminated his employment with the team following a background debate with management over…Read More..
The Minnesota Vikings have had a lot of talented players throughout their 60-plus-year history.
They have the most wins for a franchise that has never won the Super Bowl and made four appearances in the biggest game of the year, tied for the most among teams that have never won a world title.
Despite all of that, the Vikings have found a way to select eight Hall of Famers and signed two more who were undrafted free agents. They have been one of the more successful and storied franchises in the National Football League.
Here’s a look at every player to wear No. 79 with the Vikings (via Pro Football Reference):
The Cousins era is over in Minnesota, but he went out playing some of his best ball. Before tearing his Achilles in week eight, Cousins had completed 69.5% of his passes for 2,331 yards, 18 touchdowns and five interceptions. He’s now with the Atlanta Falcons, who are hoping the injury and Cousins’ age (35) don’t lead to a decline in play. Here’s a fun fact for you: The Falcons actually drafted a replacement for Cousins before the Vikings did. Atlanta drafted quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick in April, while the Vikings took QB J.J. McCarthy at No. 10.
Jones defected to the Vikings after the Green Bay Packers cut him this offseason. The 29-year-old running back may not be the player he once was, but he was outstanding during Green Bay’s playoff run, totaling 226 rushing yards and three touchdowns across two games. He and third-year back Ty Chandler will form a potent one-two punch for Minnesota.
Like Jefferson, Hockenson’s season was hampered by injury. But he still caught 95 balls for 960 yards (a career high) and five touchdowns. He’s likely to miss the start of next season while recovering from ACL surgery, but when he returns, the Vikings will boast one of the best pass catching corps in the league with Jefferson, Hockenson and Jordan Addison.
