The Vikings have had some elite talent rushing the passer this century. Which ones will make the cut on our Quarter Century Team?
The Vikings have had a long history of elite and productive pass rushers. From the days of the Purple Eaters, to John Randle and Jared Allen, to the most recent duo of Danielle Hunter and Everson Griffen, there’s been no shortage of premium edge play.
For our Vikings Quarter Century Team, we’ve got a trio of pass rushers, all of which are worthy of being on the team, but we’ve got just two spots to fill which means one great player will be left off.
With that being said, let’s go ahead and get to the poll!
Danielle Hunter (2015-2023)
The Vikings drafted Hunter in the second round out of LSU in the 2015 NFL Draft. Despite playing in a rotational role through his first two seasons, Hunter recorded 18.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss from 2015-2016 and earned a spot on the 2015 PFWA All-Rookie Team.
Hunter became a full-time starter in 2017, playing in every game over the next three seasons. He earned Second-Team All-Pro honors in 2018 after posting 14.5 sacks and 21 tackles for loss, both of which were career highs. Unfortunately, he missed the entire 2020 season with a neck injury, only to return in 2021 for seven games before a torn pectoral muscle cut his season short.
From 2022-2023, Hunter returned from his injuries to start all 34 regular season games in that span. His final season with the Vikings in 2023 saw him record new career highs with 16.5 sacks and a whopping 23 tackles for loss.
In eight seasons played for the Vikings, Hunter wad named to the Pro Bowl four times (2018-2019, 2022-2023). His 87.5 sacks rank sixth in franchise history and his 108 tackles for loss are unofficially a franchise record (the stat was not recorded prior to the 1999 season).
Jared Allen (2008-2013)
Allen joined the Vikings as a free agent after spending the first four seasons of his career with the Chiefs. In just six seasons with the Vikings, Allen accumulated 85.5 sacks (seventh) and became one of the most-decorated players in franchise history. Four times he was named a First-Team All-Pro (2007-2009, 2011) and fives times he was named to the Pro Bowl (2007-2009, 2011-2012). His best season came in 2011 when he notched 22 sacks and 21 tackles for loss
After totaling 104 tackles for loss, four interceptions, and 11 forced fumbles to go with his 85.5 sacks, Allen was later inducted into the Vikings Ring of Honor and was named one of the 50 Great Vikings of All Time.
Everson Griffen (2010-2021)
Griffen was drafted out of USC in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. After five years of playing in a rotational role for the Vikings, Griffen stepped in as a full-time starter during the 2014 season, posting 12 sacks and 14 tackles for loss in 16 games. He’d earn his first Pro Bowl nod in 2015 after recording 10.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss. In all, Griffen was named to four Pro Bowls (2015-2017, 2019). During the 2017 season, Griffen earned his first and only All-Pro honor as he was named to the second team after recording a career-high 13 sacks to go with 12 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles.
He finished his Vikings career with totals of 79.5 sacks (eighth most in franchise history), 90 tackles for loss, two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), 16 pass breakups, 10 forced fumbles, and six fumble recoveries (one returned for a score).
