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List of Minnesota Vikings starting quarterbacks

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The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference (NFC) in the National Football League (NFL). A franchise was granted to Minneapolis businessmen Bill Boyer, H. P. Skoglund and Max Winter in 1959 as a member of the American Football League (AFL). The ownership forfeited their AFL membership in January 1960 and received the National Football League's 14th franchise on January 28, 1960, that started play in 1961.

The Vikings have had 43 starting quarterbacks in the history of their franchise; they had never had more than three starting quarterbacks in one season until 2023. The Vikings' past starting quarterbacks include Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees Fran Tarkenton, Brett Favre and Warren Moon. The team's first starting quarterback was George Shaw; he was replaced by Tarkenton in the franchise's first game, and the future Hall of Famer retained the starting role for most of the remainder of the season. Sam Darnold was Minnesota's most recent starting quarterback, from 2024, until being signed by the Seattle Seahawks in 2025.

History

The Vikings' starting quarterback for the first game of their inaugural season against the Chicago Bears was George Shaw. However, he was replaced by Fran Tarkenton early on, who passed for four touchdowns in the game and rushed for one more. Tarkenton went on to start in 10 of the Vikings' 14 regular season matches that year. He played for the Vikings until 1967, when he was traded to the New York Giants, and Joe Kapp took his place as the Vikings' starting quarterback . Kapp led the Vikings to their first playoff appearance in 1968, but he was traded to the Boston Patriots in 1970 and Gary Cuozzo stepped up to replace him. Cuozzo remained in the position for two seasons, moving to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1972.

Tarkenton returned for another seven-year spell as the Vikings' starting quarterback in 1972, continuing until his retirement in 1978, at which point Tommy Kramer was promoted from the second string in his second season with the franchise. Kramer was injured for most of the 1983 season, so Steve Dils served as the starting quarterback for most of the season, before Kramer reclaimed the position in 1984. For the 1987 season, Kramer shared quarterback duties with Wade Wilson, before Wilson took over on a permanent basis from 1988. Wilson was replaced by the emerging Rich Gannon in 1990, but Gannon was released after the 1992 season and veteran Jim McMahon took over for the 1993 season until the arrival of Warren Moon in 1994.

Moon retained the starting quarterback spot for two seasons, but suffered a broken collarbone halfway through his third season with the Vikings and was replaced by Brad Johnson for the remainder of the season. The Vikings had three starting quarterbacks in the following three seasons – Johnson (1997), Randall Cunningham (1998) and Jeff George (1999) – before Daunte Culpepper began a six-year spell in his second year in the NFL in 2000. He suffered a serious knee injury during the 2005 season, and Johnson took over in the position again, having re-signed the previous summer after seven years away from the franchise. Culpepper then joined the Miami Dolphins in 2006, giving Johnson another full year as starting quarterback, only to be replaced by sophomore Tarvaris Jackson in 2007. The 2008 season commenced with Jackson starting at quarterback, but he was replaced after two games by Gus Frerotte, who was returning to the Vikings from the St. Louis Rams after having been traded to the Miami Dolphins in 2005. Jackson regained the job for the final three games and led the Vikings to their first divisional title since 2000, and their first NFC North title.

In 2009, the Vikings recruited veteran quarterback Brett Favre out of retirement to be their new starting quarterback. In Week 13 of the 2010 season, Favre suffered a chest injury that ended his NFL-record streak of consecutive starts at 297 (321 including postseason games), and Tarvaris Jackson reclaimed the starting spot for Week 14. However, Jackson was injured himself in Week 15, giving rookie Joe Webb a chance to stake a claim for the position. He was unable to hold onto the position as Donovan McNabb was signed as a free agent to replace Favre, who retired at the end of the 2010 season. After going 1–5 through the first six games of 2011, though, McNabb was replaced by first-round draft pick Christian Ponder, who retained the starting position for the remainder of the season and for the whole of 2012. However, he was plagued by indifferent form and the Vikings signed Matt Cassel – recently released by the Kansas City Chiefs. When Ponder suffered an injury early in the 2013 season, Cassel was given his first start for the Vikings in week 4 in the NFL International Series game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Wembley Stadium, London. He started the following game, but was replaced in week 7 by Josh Freeman, recently signed after his release by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, he was injured during the game and did not make another start for the Vikings, allowing Ponder to reclaim the starting role. Cassel then returned as the starter in week 14, and retained the role for the rest of the season and into 2014. After three games, he was placed on injured reserve and first-round draft pick Teddy Bridgewater took over for the week 4 game against the Atlanta Falcons. Bridgewater himself was injured late in the game, allowing Ponder the chance to come back in for the following week, but the rookie soon returned and has held the starting berth until suffering a knee injury in practice during the 2016 preseason.

Shaun Hill started the season opener and Sam Bradford took over in week 2. In 2017, Bradford played only two games due to injuries he sustained in Weeks 2 and 5. Case Keenum started in his place, leading the Vikings to a 13 win season, as well as the Minneapolis Miracle and subsequent NFC Championship Game. Keenum would sign with the Denver Broncos that offseason.

Ahead of the 2018 season, the Vikings signed free agent quarterback Kirk Cousins from the Washington Redskins on a three-year, fully guaranteed $84 million contract. He started 31 consecutive regular season games to start his Vikings career before sitting out the final game of 2019 with the team's playoff berth already secured; Sean Mannion started in his place.

After Cousins left to join the Atlanta Falcons before the 2024 season, the Vikings signed Sam Darnold to a one-year, $10 million contract. The Vikings would finish 14-3, yet go into the playoffs as a wildcard.

Eight Vikings quarterbacks have made at least one start in their rookie season: Tarkenton in 1961, Vander Kelen in 1963, Kramer in 1977, Jackson in 2006, Webb in 2010, Ponder in 2011, Bridgewater in 2014, and Jaren Hall in 2023.

Starting quarterbacks by season

†Inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Regular season

SeasonQuarterback(s)Ref(s).
1961Fran Tarkenton† (10) / George Shaw (4)title=George Shawurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/ShawGe00.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=October 27, 2018archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027172153/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/ShawGe00.htmurl-status=live }}
1962Fran Tarkenton† (14)title=1962 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Playersurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1962_roster.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=September 5, 2008archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905202330/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1962_roster.htmurl-status=live }}
1963Fran Tarkenton† (13) / Ron Vander Kelen (1)title=1963 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Playersurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1963_roster.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=December 1, 2009archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091201201400/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1963_roster.htmurl-status=live }}
1964Fran Tarkenton† (14)title=1964 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Playersurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1964_roster.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=November 22, 2008archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081122052002/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1964_roster.htmurl-status=live }}
1965Fran Tarkenton† (14)title=1965 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Playersurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1965_roster.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=November 22, 2008archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081122045743/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1965_roster.htmurl-status=live }}
1966Fran Tarkenton† (12) / Bob Berry (1) / Ron Vander Kelen (1)title=1966 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Playersurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1966_roster.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=June 20, 2010archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100620084400/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1966_roster.htmurl-status=live }}
1967Joe Kapp (11) / Ron Vander Kelen (3)title=Joe Kappurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KappJo00.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=January 18, 2010archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100118081417/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KappJo00.htmurl-status=live }}
1968Joe Kapp (14)title=1968 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Playersurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1968_roster.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=February 26, 2010archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100226035021/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1968_roster.htmurl-status=live }}
1969Joe Kapp (13) / Gary Cuozzo (1)title=Gary Cuozzourl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CuozGa00.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=January 18, 2010archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100118182110/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CuozGa00.htmurl-status=live }}
1970Gary Cuozzo (12) / Bob Lee (2)title=1970 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Playersurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1970_roster.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=May 1, 2009archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090501053235/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1970_roster.htmurl-status=live }}
1971Gary Cuozzo (8) / Bob Lee (4) / Norm Snead (2)title=1971 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Playersurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1971_roster.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=October 22, 2009archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091022051112/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1971_roster.htmurl-status=live }}
1972Fran Tarkenton† (14)title=1972 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Playersurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1972_roster.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=October 7, 2008archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007194037/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1972_roster.htmurl-status=live }}
1973Fran Tarkenton† (14)title=1973 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Playersurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1973_roster.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=September 5, 2008archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905201600/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1973_roster.htmurl-status=live }}
1974Fran Tarkenton† (13) / Bob Berry (1)title=1974 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Playersurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1974_roster.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=September 7, 2008archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907010556/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1974_roster.htmurl-status=live }}
1975Fran Tarkenton† (14)title=1975 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Playersurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1975_roster.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=November 22, 2008archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081122044238/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1975_roster.htmurl-status=live }}
1976Fran Tarkenton† (13) / Bob Lee (1)title=1976 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Playersurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1976_roster.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=February 25, 2010archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100225070935/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1976_roster.htmurl-status=live }}
1977Fran Tarkenton† (9) / Bob Lee (4) / Tommy Kramer (1)title=Tommy Kramerurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KramTo00.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=February 7, 2023archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207221153/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KramTo00.htmurl-status=live }}
1978Fran Tarkenton† (16)title=1978 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Playersurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1978_roster.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=October 9, 2009archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091009094118/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1978_roster.htmurl-status=live }}
1979Tommy Kramer (16)title=1979 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Playersurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1979_roster.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=October 9, 2009archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091009094123/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1979_roster.htmurl-status=live }}
1980Tommy Kramer (15) / Steve Dils (1)title=Steve Dilsurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DilsSt00.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=November 3, 2009archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091103202140/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DilsSt00.htmurl-status=live }}
1981Tommy Kramer (14) / Steve Dils (2)title=1981 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Playersurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1981_roster.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=October 9, 2009archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091009094133/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1981_roster.htmurl-status=live }}
1982Tommy Kramer (9)title=1982 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Playersurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1982_roster.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=October 9, 2009archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091009094138/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1982_roster.htmurl-status=live }}
1983Steve Dils (12) / Tommy Kramer (3) / Wade Wilson (1)title=Wade Wilsonurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WilsWa00.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009url-status=deadarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091122143141/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WilsWa00.htmarchive-date=November 22, 2009 }}
1984Tommy Kramer (9) / Wade Wilson (5) / Archie Manning (2)title=1984 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Playersurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1984_roster.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=October 9, 2009archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091009094148/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1984_roster.htmurl-status=live }}
1985Tommy Kramer (15) / Wade Wilson (1)title=1985 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Playersurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1985_roster.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=October 9, 2009archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091009094153/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1985_roster.htmurl-status=live }}
1986Tommy Kramer (13) / Wade Wilson (3)title=1986 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Playersurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1986_roster.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=October 9, 2009archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091009094158/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1986_roster.htmurl-status=live }}
1987Wade Wilson (7) / Tommy Kramer (5) / Tony Adams (3)title=1987 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Playersurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1987_roster.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=February 18, 2010archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100218113804/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1987_roster.htmurl-status=live }}
1988Wade Wilson (10) / Tommy Kramer (6)title=1988 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Playersurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1988_roster.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=October 9, 2009archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091009094219/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1988_roster.htmurl-status=live }}
1989Wade Wilson (12) / Tommy Kramer (4)title=1989 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Playersurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1989_roster.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=October 9, 2009archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091009094219/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1989_roster.htmurl-status=live }}
1990Rich Gannon (12) / Wade Wilson (4)title=Rich Gannonurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GannRi00.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=June 29, 2023archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629212355/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GannRi00.htmurl-status=live }}
1991Rich Gannon (11) / Wade Wilson (5)title=1991 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Playersurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1991_roster.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=October 9, 2009archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091009094232/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1991_roster.htmurl-status=live }}
1992Rich Gannon (12) / Sean Salisbury (4)title=1992 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Playersurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1992_roster.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=October 9, 2009archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091009094237/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1992_roster.htmurl-status=live }}
1993Jim McMahon (12) / Sean Salisbury (4)title=Jim McMahonurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/McMaJi00.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=December 4, 2020archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204111149/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/McMaJi00.htmurl-status=live }}
1994Warren Moon† (15) / Sean Salisbury (1)title=Warren Moonurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MoonWa00.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=May 7, 2023archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507224851/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MoonWa00.htmurl-status=live }}
1995Warren Moon† (16)title=1995 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Playersurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1995_roster.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=August 27, 2009archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090827000946/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1995_roster.htmurl-status=live }}
1996Warren Moon† (8) / Brad Johnson (8)title=Brad Johnsonurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JohnBr00.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=February 10, 2010archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100210132616/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JohnBr00.htmurl-status=live }}
1997Brad Johnson (13) / Randall Cunningham (3)title=Randall Cunninghamurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CunnRa00.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009url-status=deadarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100202034037/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CunnRa00.htmarchive-date=February 2, 2010 }}
1998Randall Cunningham (14) / Brad Johnson (2)title=1998 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Playersurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1998_roster.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=August 27, 2009archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090827000951/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1998_roster.htmurl-status=live }}
1999Jeff George (10) / Randall Cunningham (6)title=Jeff Georgeurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GeorJe00.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=May 8, 2023archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508125157/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GeorJe00.htmurl-status=live }}
2000Daunte Culpepper (16)title=Daunte Culpepperurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CulpDa00.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=May 16, 2023archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516221651/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CulpDa00.htmurl-status=live }}
2001Daunte Culpepper (11) / Todd Bouman (3) / Spergon Wynn (2)title=2001 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Playersurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/2001_roster.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=August 26, 2009archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090826211455/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/2001_roster.htmurl-status=live }}
2002Daunte Culpepper (16)title=2002 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Playersurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/2002_roster.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=August 27, 2009archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090827001006/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/2002_roster.htmurl-status=live }}
2003Daunte Culpepper (14) / Gus Frerotte (2)title=Gus Frerotteurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FrerGu00.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=January 10, 2013archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130110101809/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FrerGu00.htmurl-status=live }}
2004Daunte Culpepper (16)title=2004 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Playersurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/2004_roster.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=April 14, 2009archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414165903/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/2004_roster.htmurl-status=live }}
2005Brad Johnson (9) / Daunte Culpepper (7)title=2005 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Playersurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/2005_roster.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=August 27, 2009archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090827001018/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/2005_roster.htmurl-status=live }}
2006Brad Johnson (14) / Tarvaris Jackson (2)title=Tarvaris Jacksonurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JackTa00.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=December 30, 2010archive-date=July 5, 2011archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110705041315/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JackTa00.htmurl-status=live }}
2007Tarvaris Jackson (12) / Kelly Holcomb (3) / Brooks Bollinger (1)title=2007 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Playersurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/2007_roster.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009archive-date=August 27, 2009archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090827001030/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/2007_roster.htmurl-status=live }}
2008Gus Frerotte (11) / Tarvaris Jackson (5)title=2008 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Playersurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/2008_roster.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 4, 2009 }}
2009Brett Favre† (16)title=Brett Favreurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FavrBr00.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=December 30, 2010archive-date=May 14, 2011archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514005711/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FavrBr00.htmurl-status=live }}
2010Brett Favre† (13) / Tarvaris Jackson (1) / Joe Webb (2)title=2010 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Playersurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/2010_roster.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=January 2, 2011archive-date=September 14, 2010archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100914113750/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/2010_roster.htmurl-status=live }}
2011Christian Ponder (10) / Donovan McNabb (6)title=2011 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Playersurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/2011_roster.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=October 24, 2011archive-date=November 2, 2011archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111102093621/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/2011_roster.htmurl-status=live }}
2012Christian Ponder (16)title=2012 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Playerurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/2012_roster.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=January 3, 2013archive-date=January 9, 2013archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130109003717/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/2012_roster.htmurl-status=live }}
2013Christian Ponder (9) / Matt Cassel (6) / Josh Freeman (1)title=2013 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Playerurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/2013_roster.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=January 3, 2013archive-date=June 17, 2013archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617233250/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/2013_roster.htmurl-status=live }}
2014Teddy Bridgewater (12) / Matt Cassel (3) / Christian Ponder (1)title=Teddy Bridgewaterurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BridTe00.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=September 28, 2014archive-date=October 6, 2014archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006181510/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BridTe00.htmurl-status=live }}
2015Teddy Bridgewater (16)
2016Sam Bradford (15) / Shaun Hill (1)title=Sam Bradfordurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BradSa00.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referencesaccess-date=September 19, 2016archive-date=October 1, 2018archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001171838/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BradSa00.htmurl-status=live }}
2017Case Keenum (14) / Sam Bradford (2)title=Case Keenumurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KeenCa00.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=October 19, 2017archive-date=November 5, 2019archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105220237/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KeenCa00.htmurl-status=live }}
2018Kirk Cousins (16)title=Kirk Cousinsurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CousKi00.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=September 9, 2018archive-date=April 4, 2018archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404184306/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CousKi00.htmurl-status=live }}
2019Kirk Cousins (15) / Sean Mannion (1)title=Sean Mannionurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MannSe00.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=December 29, 2019archive-date=December 14, 2019archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214143732/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MannSe00.htmurl-status=live }}
2020Kirk Cousins (16)
2021Kirk Cousins (16) / Sean Mannion (1)
2022Kirk Cousins (17)
2023Kirk Cousins (8) / Joshua Dobbs (4) / Nick Mullens (3) / Jaren Hall (2)title=Jaren Hallurl=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HallJa00.htmwork=Pro-Football-Reference.compublisher=Sports Referenceaccess-date=November 5, 2023archive-date=November 4, 2023archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231104155208/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HallJa00.htmurl-status=live }}
2024Sam Darnold (17)
2025J.J. McCarthy (10) / Carson Wentz (5) / Max Brosmer (2)

Postseason

SeasonQuarterback(s)Ref(s).
1968Joe Kapp (0–1)
1969Joe Kapp (2–1)
1970Gary Cuozzo (0–1)
1971Bob Lee (0–1)
1973Fran Tarkenton (2–1)
1974Fran Tarkenton (2–1)
1975Fran Tarkenton (0–1)
1976Fran Tarkenton (2–1)
1977Bob Lee (1–1)
1978Fran Tarkenton (0–1)
1980Tommy Kramer (0–1)
1982Tommy Kramer (1–1)
1987Tommy Kramer (1–0) / Wade Wilson (1–1)
1988Wade Wilson (1–1)
1989Wade Wilson (0–1)
1992Sean Salisbury (0–1)
1993Jim McMahon (0–1)
1994Warren Moon (0–1)
1996Brad Johnson (0–1)
1997Randall Cunningham (1–1)
1998Randall Cunningham (1–1)
1999Jeff George (1–1)
2000Daunte Culpepper (1–1)
2004Daunte Culpepper (1–1)
2008Tarvaris Jackson (0–1)
2009Brett Favre (1–1)
2012Joe Webb (0–1)
2015Teddy Bridgewater (0–1)
2017Case Keenum (1–1)
2019Kirk Cousins (1–1)
2022Kirk Cousins (0−1)
2024Sam Darnold (0–1)

Statistics

Having been the franchise's starting quarterback for 13 seasons (longer than any other Vikings player), Fran Tarkenton holds the record for the most starts in a Vikings jersey, and those for the most wins and ties. He is also the franchise's leading passer in terms of numbers of attempts, completions, total yards gained and passing touchdowns, although Brett Favre has the best pass completion percentage. However, Tarkenton has also thrown the most interceptions. The record for the longest completed pass by a Vikings starting quarterback is held by Gus Frerotte, who threw a 99-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Bernard Berrian in a home game against the Chicago Bears in the 2008 season.

Tarkenton is also the franchise leader for rushing attempts and rushing yards as a quarterback, but it is Daunte Culpepper – with 72 fewer rushing yards on 10 fewer attempts than Tarkenton – who has the most rushing touchdowns. Joe Webb holds the record for the longest rush with a 65-yard run in Minnesota's 34–28 road loss to the Detroit Lions in 2011.

YearsYdsGPTDGSIntWLngLRateTAttCmpYdsAttTDCmp%Lng
Years that the quarterback was on the Vikings' rosterYards gained by passing
Games played (regular season)Passing touchdowns
Games started (regular season)Interceptions thrown
Number of wins as starting quarterbackLongest completed pass thrown (yards)
Number of losses as starting quarterbackQuarterback rating
Number of ties as starting quarterbackRushes attempted
Passes completedYards gained by rushing
Passes attemptedRushing touchdowns
Percentage of passes completedLongest rushing attempt
NameYearsPassing statisticsRushing statisticsRef.GPGSWLTCmpAttCmp%YdsTDIntLngRateAttYdsTDLng
196184130469150.5530444264.81039019
1961–1966
1972–1978177170917362,6354,56957.733,0982391948980.14642,5482252
1963–196729514010725242.51,3756115350.026116120
1965–1967
1973–19752421106312450.8708785260.172508
1967–196940382312335169950.24,80737478562.299540527
1968–19713321165027655649.63,55218237263.63685015
1969–1972
1975–1978521192015930652.02,15315176367.93937210
197172200377549.3470165540.46615
1977–1989128110545602,0113,64855.124,7751591577672.9214531820
1979–1984471569033662353.93,86715186868.92473019
1981–19917648272109291,66555.812,13566757573.4159679938
1983–198482020529455.3545235666.11241016
198733030498955.1607356364.21131012
1987–19924835191605611,00355.96,45740367873.9144720342
1992–199422954022840456.42,7721495580.024106
1993121284020033160.41,968985876.23396016
1994–19963939211808821,45460.710,10258428582.869143016
1994–1998
2005–20066846281801,0361,67062.011,09865488282.5139368228
1997–19992723167042771359.95,68048236794.261317128
1999121082019132958.12,81623128094.21641017
1999–20058180384201,6782,60764.420,162135868291.54542,4762942
2001–200263120549556.8880848098.61070021
200132020489849.0418164738.6861014
2003–2004
20084313103021636758.92,84719179981.431515
2006–201036201010035460358.73,98424227176.6119535433
200733030428350.6515214073.10000
2006–200771010466867.6537125084.0518010
2009–201029291712058088965.26,71144266392.22615010
2010–20131721108815257.9853354666.641273465
2011661509415660.31,026426082.91459123
2011–20143836142116321,05759.86,65838367275.9126639729
2013–201412945019432559.72,23214137978.12775113
201311010205337.7190012240.60000
2014–201730281711055185164.76,15028228786.394398419
201671100214250.0257003369.211–209
2016–2017171798042759571.84,25923571101.12250024
20171514113032548167.63,5472276598.340160122
2018–20238888503712,0933,08167.923,2651715575101.2181579629
2019
202142020345759.6315123566.089011
202332110132065.0168014770.461408
2023542209515162.9895552976.430163322
2023–202412303012317570.31,568894791.8143306
20241717143036154566.24,319351297102.567212119
****2025–present101064014024357.61,63211126272.637181426
****2025–present5523011016965.11,216658185.81157016
****2025–present72110477166.2328042953.0711011

:* Statistics accurate as of the 2025 season. :Bold text indicates the player is currently on the Vikings roster

Notes

  • In each game, a team picks one player to start in the quarterback position. Players may be substituted during the game, but the term "starting quarterback" refers to the player who started the game in that position.
  • Since the 1978 NFL season, all teams have played 16-game schedules.
  • Strikes by the National Football League Players Association in the 1982 and 1987 seasons resulted in shortened seasons (9- and 15-game schedules, respectively).

References

General

Specific

References

  1. "Vikings – Team History". Pro Football Hall of Fame.
  2. "Hall of Famers". Minnesota Vikings Football.
  3. "George Shaw". Sports Reference.
  4. "1961 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  5. "Fran Tarkenton". Sports Reference.
  6. "1962 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  7. "1963 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  8. "Ron Vander Kelen". Sports Reference.
  9. "1964 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  10. "1965 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  11. "1966 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  12. "Bob Berry". Sports Reference.
  13. "Joe Kapp". Sports Reference.
  14. "1967 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  15. "1968 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  16. "Gary Cuozzo". Sports Reference.
  17. "1969 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  18. "1970 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  19. "Bob Lee". Sports Reference.
  20. "1971 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  21. "Norm Snead". Sports Reference.
  22. "1972 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  23. "1973 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  24. "1974 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  25. "1975 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  26. "1976 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  27. "Tommy Kramer". Sports Reference.
  28. "1977 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  29. "1978 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  30. "1979 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  31. "Steve Dils". Sports Reference.
  32. "1980 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  33. "1981 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  34. "1982 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  35. "Wade Wilson". Sports Reference.
  36. "1983 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  37. "1984 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  38. "Archie Manning". Sports Reference.
  39. "1985 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  40. "1986 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  41. "1987 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  42. "Tony Adams". Sports Reference.
  43. "1988 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  44. "1989 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  45. "Rich Gannon". Sports Reference.
  46. "1990 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  47. "1991 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  48. "1992 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  49. "Sean Salisbury". Sports Reference.
  50. "Jim McMahon". Sports Reference.
  51. "1993 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  52. "Warren Moon". Sports Reference.
  53. "1994 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  54. "1995 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  55. "Brad Johnson". Sports Reference.
  56. "1996 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  57. "Randall Cunningham". Sports Reference.
  58. "1997 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  59. "1998 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  60. "Jeff George". Sports Reference.
  61. "1999 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  62. "Daunte Culpepper". Sports Reference.
  63. "2000 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  64. "2001 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  65. "Todd Bouman". Sports Reference.
  66. "Spergon Wynn". Sports Reference.
  67. "2002 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  68. "Gus Frerotte". Sports Reference.
  69. "2003 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  70. "2004 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  71. "2005 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  72. "Tarvaris Jackson". Sports Reference.
  73. "2006 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  74. "2007 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  75. "Kelly Holcomb". Sports Reference.
  76. "Brooks Bollinger". Sports Reference.
  77. "2008 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  78. "Brett Favre". Sports Reference.
  79. "2009 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  80. "2010 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  81. "Joe Webb". Sports Reference.
  82. "2011 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Players". Sports Reference.
  83. "Donovan McNabb". Sports Reference.
  84. "Christian Ponder". Sports Reference.
  85. "2012 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Player". Sports Reference.
  86. "2013 Minnesota Vikings Starters, Roster, & Player". Sports Reference.
  87. "Matt Cassel". Sports Reference.
  88. "Josh Freeman". Sports Reference.
  89. "Teddy Bridgewater". Sports Reference.
  90. "Sam Bradford". Sports References.
  91. "Shaun Hill". Sports Reference.
  92. "Case Keenum". Sports Reference.
  93. "Kirk Cousins". Sports Reference.
  94. "Sean Mannion". Sports Reference.
  95. "Jaren Hall". Sports Reference.
  96. "Joshua Dobbs". Sports Reference.
  97. "Nick Mullens". Sports Reference.
  98. The Star. (2025). Vikings to start Max Brosmer at quarterback against the Seahawks. Retrieved from https://www.thestar.com/sports/football/vikings-to-start-max-brosmer-at-quarterback-against-the-seahawks/article_61cb2de8-75bc-5c51-8e11-bf1f322a8ebe.html.
  99. "Minnesota Vikings Career Passing Register". Sports Reference.
  100. "Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings - November 30th, 2008". Sports Reference.
  101. "Minnesota Vikings Career Rushing Register". Sports Reference.
  102. "Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions - December 11th, 2011". Sports Reference.
  103. "NFL History by Decade, 1971–1980". National Football League.
  104. "NFL History by Decade, 1981–1990". National Football League.
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