The Minnesota Vikings, founded in 1961, have had a storied history with numerous quarterbacks leading the charge. Here’s a look at every starting QB in the team’s history, capturing their unique contributions and impacts on the franchise.
1960s
Fran Tarkenton (1961-1966, 1972-1978): A Hall of Famer, Tarkenton was known for his scrambling ability and was instrumental in leading the Vikings to three Super Bowl appearances. He retired as the NFL’s all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns.
George Shaw (1961): Started the inaugural season but was soon replaced by Tarkenton due to injury.
Ron Vander Kelen (1963-1967): Primarily a backup, he saw some starts in the mid-60s.
1970s
Joe Kapp (1967-1969): Known for his toughness, Kapp led the Vikings to Super Bowl IV. His unorthodox style and leadership were key to the team’s success.
Gary Cuozzo (1968-1971): Cuozzo started for a few seasons but is often overshadowed by Tarkenton’s return.
Bob Lee (1969, 1972-1973, 1975-1978): A reliable backup who stepped in during Tarkenton’s injuries.
1980s
Tommy Kramer (1977-1989): A Pro Bowl QB, Kramer had a strong arm and was known for his ability to lead comebacks. Injuries, however, plagued his career.
Steve Dils (1984-1987): Played intermittently as a starter when Kramer was injured.
Wade Wilson (1981-1991): An efficient QB who led the Vikings to the NFC Championship Game in 1987.
1990s
Rich Gannon (1987-1992): Initially a backup, Gannon became the starter in the early ’90s before being traded to Washington.
Sean Salisbury (1992-1994): Competed with Gannon for the starting spot in the early ’90s.
Jim McMahon (1993): The former Super Bowl-winning QB with the Bears had a short stint as the Vikings’ starter.
Warren Moon (1994-1996):The Hall of Famer brought his prolific passing skills to Minnesota, earning Pro Bowl selections during his tenure.
Brad Johnson (1994-1998, 2005-2006): A steady presence who led the team to the playoffs, Johnson had two separate stints with the Vikings.
Randall Cunningham (1997-1999): Led the Vikings to a 15-1 record and the NFC Championship Game in 1998, rejuvenating his career.
2000s
Jeff George (1999): Known for his strong arm, George led the team to the playoffs in his short stint.
Daunte Culpepper (1999-2005): A dynamic dual-threat QB, Culpepper had a stellar 2004 season but struggled with injuries later.
Gus Frerotte (2003-2004, 2008):A reliable veteran who had multiple stints with the team.
Brad Johnson (2005-2006): Returned to lead the team to the playoffs once more.
Tarvaris Jackson (2006-2010):Showed flashes of potential but was inconsistent as a starter.
2010s
Brett Favre (2009-2010): The legendary QB had a memorable 2009 season, leading the Vikings to the NFC Championship Game.
Christian Ponder (2011-2014): A first-round pick who struggled with consistency.
Matt Cassel (2013-2014): Started intermittently, serving as a veteran presence.
Teddy Bridgewater (2014-2017): A promising young QB whose career was derailed by a severe knee injury.
Sam Bradford (2016-2017): Acquired after Bridgewater’s injury, Bradford set a completion percentage record in 2016.
Case Keenum (2017): Led the team to the NFC Championship Game with a career-best season.
2020s
Kirk Cousins (2018-present): Known for his consistent performance and leadership, Cousins has provided stability at the QB position, leading the Vikings to multiple playoff appearances.
The Vikings’ history of quarterbacks showcases a diverse range of talents and styles, from the scrambling abilities of Fran Tarkenton to the strong arm of Daunte Culpepper and the veteran leadership of Brett Favre. Each QB has left an indelible mark on the franchise, contributing to the team’s rich legacy in the NFL.
