The Minnesota Vikings are entering their own version of the Final Countdown.
The 2024 season is upon us and the excitement is palpable. As we get through the offseason, everyone wants to see quarterback J.J. McCarthy in a Vikings uniform. It will signal a new era in Vikings football for many reasons.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O'Connell are entering their third seasons in control of the Vikings and it's crunch time. They now have the team shaped in their image and it's going to be pivotal for their future to be successful in the next two seasons.
With 85 days until kickoff, here’s a look at every player to wear No. 85 with the Vikings (via Pro Football Reference):
Every Minnesota Vikings player to wear No. 85
WR Daylen Baldwin 2023
The Vikings signed Baldwin to the practice squad during the 2023 season. He didn't play a game with the Vikings and only played in one game during his NFL career, in 2022 with the Cleveland Browns.
WR Dan Chisena 2020-2022
Chisena was a special teams maven for the Vikings, playing in 27 games from 2020 to 2022. The Vikings moved on from him after the 2022 season.
TE Rhett Ellison 2014-2016
The Vikings selected Ellison in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He wore 40 his first two years with the Vikings before switching to 85 in 2014. He was a blocking maven for the Vikings but still caught 51 passes for 515 yards and three touchdowns before moving onto the New York Giants.
WR Greg Camarillo 2010-2011
Camarillo spent seven seasons in the NFL and he was the original replacement of Wes Welker in Miami. He caught 113 passes for the Dolphins across three years and spent two years with the Vikings. He caught just 29 passes for 361 yards and a touchdown in Minnesota.
TE Jermaine Wiggins 2004-2006
Wiggins was one of the more fun Vikings during the mid-2000s. After thriving with the New England Patriots during the 2001 playoff run, he spent three years in Minnesota, catching 106 passes for 1,659 yards and six touchdowns. Wiggins' NFL career was over after 2006.
WR D'Wayne Bates 2002-2003
Bates was signed to be the starter opposite of Randy Moss after the departure of Cris Carter. He only made it two seasons in Minnesota and caught just 65 passes across 24 games with 19 starts.
TE Andrew Jordan 1999-2001
Jordan had two stints with the Vikings and the second of those had him wearing the number 85. He caught 97 passes as a member of the Vikings.
TE Greg DeLong 1995-1998
DeLong spent his first four years with the Vikings in his six-year career. During his time in Minnesota, he caught just 30 passes on 48 targets.
TE Brett Novoselsky 1989-1994
WR Steve Finch 1987
WR Sammy White 1976-1985
White is a 10-year NFL veteran who was the rookie of the year in 1976 and a Pro Bowl selection in the first two seasons of his career after being a second-round pick. While played all 10 seasons in Minnesota and caught 393 passes for 6,400 yards and 50 touchdowns.
WR John Holland 1974
TE Gary Ballman 1973
TE John Hilton 1971
WR Paul Flatley 1963-1967
WR Tom Adams 1962
E Bob Schnelker 1961
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