The Minnesota Vikings have never won a Super Bowl, but they have still had a successful franchise. A big reason for their success has been some key free agent signings. Let's break down the five best free agent signings in team history.
5. Cornerback Antonie Winfield
There wasn't a lot of good that happened with Mike Tice as the Vikings' head coach, but one of the few bright spots was Antoine Winfield. During the 2004 offseason, the Vikings signed Winfield to a six-year contract and he quickly became one of the best secondary players in team history.
In 119 games with the Vikings, Winfield racked up 729 tackles, 21 interceptions, and 11 forced fumbles. He was always in the right position and would usually be matched up against the opposing team's best player.
There could be an argument made he should be a little higher on the list, but there have been a lot of really good players in Vikings history.
4. Left Guard Steve Hutchinson
The Vikings stole away left guard Steve Hutchinson from the Seattle Seahawks in 2006 and he was a big improvement to an offensive line that wasn't great. Hutchinson was a blocker for Adrian Peterson and was a big reason the superstar running back had so much success.
There is no question Peterson is one of the best running backs in league history, but Hutchinson was a big key. Hutchinson started 89 games in the purple and gold.
3. Wide Receiver Cris Carter
Cris Carter wasn't technically signed in free agency, but he was claimed off of waivers from the Philadelphia Eagles and became one of the best receivers in football history in Minnesota.
Carter is the Vikings' all-time franchise leader with 1,004 receptions, 12,383 yards, and 110 touchdowns. He is best known for his impressive catches on the sidelines. He, along with Randy Moss, were quite the one-two punch when they were on the field together.
2. Defensive tackle John Randle
John Randle is another interesting case because although technically he was a free agent, he played his first 11 years in Minnesota. Randle was signed as an undrafted free agent and after only a few seasons was one of the best defensive tackles in the league.
From 1992-1997, he had at least 10.5 sacks and led the league in 1997 with 15.5 sacks. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2010.
1. Quarterback Brett Favre
Quarterback Brett Farve only played two seasons with the Vikings and only one of them was good, but he is still the best free agent signing in the team's history.
In 2009, Favre started all 16 games for the Vikings, throwing for 4,202 yards, 33 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Statistically, it was the best year of his career.
He led the Vikings to the NFC Championship game against the New Orleans Saints and if it hadn't been for a few questionable calls, that season could have ended in a Super Bowl.
Outside of the 1998 season, the 2009 season was the best in team history and Favre was the key reason. Favre also thought highly enough about his time in Minnesota that when he went into the Hall of Fame, he put a Vikings and a Green Bay Packers jersey in his locker.
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