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 98 days until kickoff, here’s a look at every player to wear No. 98 with the Vikings (via Pro Football Reference):
Every Vikings player to wear No. 97
DT Harrison Phillips 2022-present
Phillips has been a stalwart player for the Vikings over his two seasons in purple. He spent his first four seasons in Bufalo before starting all 34 games he dressed as a Minnesota Viking. He has 4.5 sacks and 5.0. tackles for loss while playing mostly at nose tackle.
EDGE Everson Griffen 2010-2019, 2021
Griffen is one of the biggest success stories in the history of the Vikings. They seelcted him in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft and used him as a punt gunner because he was so athletic. Griffen then went on to play 11 seasons with the Vikings and had 79.5 sacks while earning Pro Bowl honors four times.
DT Ellis Wyms 2008
Wyms was in the NFL for eight seasons total, spending the first six seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and his seventh season with the Seattle Seahawks before finishing his career in Minnesota in 2008. Wyms had 2.5 sacks in his only season with the Vikings.
DT Spencer Johnson 2004-2007
Johnson played nine seasons in the NFL with his first four being with the Minnesota Vikings. During his time in Minnesota, he was a good role player and contributed 4.0 sacks across 49 games.
DE Talance Sawyer 1999-2003
The Vikings selected Sawyer in the sixth-round of the 1999 draft and became a solid player for the Vikings. He played in 39 games with 32 starts, including starting all 16 games in 2000 and 2001. He finished his career with 11.0 sacks.
DT Henry Thomas 1987-1994
Thomas was a standout for the Vikings for eight years at defensive tackle, staring in 116 of his 118 games. He collected two interceptions to go along with 56.0 sacks, 11 forced fumbles, eight fumble recoveries and two touchdowns in a Vikings uniform.
DE Tony Norman 1987
After playing his college football at Iowa State, Norman played in just two games in the NFL with both of them coming in 1987 with the Vikings.
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