All the Former Vikings in the Super Bowl
Dustin Baker
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Super Bowl LVII kicks off Sunday evening between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles in Glendale, Arizona. The Eagles are favored by 1.5.
If one Minnesota Vikings “curse” lives on, the Eagles will win the chip. In the last five seasons, every team that won the Super Bowl beat the Vikings along the way. And you probably remember the Vikings Week 2 showdown in Philadelphia.
All the Former Vikings in the Super Bowl
Curses asides, these are the players and coaches formerly affiliated with the Vikings participating in the biggest game of them all.
1. Blake Bell, TE (KC)
Time with Vikings: 2017
Bell played for the Vikings during the memorable 2017 campaign. He arrived in Minnesota after two seasons in San Francisco and tallied 3 catches as a Viking for 19 yards.
Now, he’s the Chiefs TE3 behind Travis Kelce and Noah Gray.
2. Eric Bieniemy, OC (KC)
Time with Vikings: 2006-2010
The man who helped fine-tune Adrian Peterson into a future Hall of Famer, Bieniemy has been Andy Reid’s trusty confidant as offensive coordinator for five years.
He got his NFL coaching start in Minnesota, though.
3. Christian Elliss, LB (PHI)
Time with Vikings: A smidgen in 2021
The Vikings found Elliss in undrafted free agency two years ago and kept him around for a few months. He’s now an Eagles special teamer.
4. Marcus Epps, S (PHI)
Time with Vikings: about 7 Months in 2019
Epps played eight games for the Vikings in 2019 — the last time Minnesota won a playoff game — and skedaddled to Philadelphia midseason.
He’s a full-time starting safety for the Eagles. To a degree, he’s “one that got away.”
5. Jonathan Gannon, DC (PHI)
Time with Vikings: 2014-2017
This man was the Vikings defensive backs coach at the start of the Mike Zimmer era, credited with developing defenders Xavier Rhodes, Harrison Smith, Trae Waynes, Mackensie Alexander, and Anthony Harris.
In 2022, Gannon’s defense ranks sixth in the NFL via defensive DVOA.
6. Linval Joseph, NT (PHI)
Time with Vikings: 2014-2019
Remember when the Vikings perished? It was 2020, right after Linval Joseph and his buddies departed via free agency. The Vikings defense hasn’t recovered after Joseph, Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, Everson Griffen, etc., left.
Joseph signed with the Eagles midseason in 2022 when injuries arose and now splits time with rookie Jordan Davis. The Big Goon might win his second Super Bowl ring (Giants, 2011).
7. Greg Lewis, RBs Coach (KC)
Time with Vikings: 2009-2010
This is all you need to remember about Greg Lewis.
8. Jerick McKinnon, RB (KC)
Time with Vikings: 2014-2017
Minnesota employed McKinnon in various RB2 capacities from 2014 to 2017, a slasher-back of sorts who experienced playing time when injuries to Adrian Peterson and Dalvin Cook arose. And at the time, it seemed McKinnon had the talent to serve as a full-time RB1, mainly because of his speed.
In the Chiefs last five regular season games of 2022, McKinnon chipped off 7 receiving touchdowns — yes, you read that right; a running back with 7 receiving touchdowns in 5 games — and became the go-to commodity for Andy Reid and Co.
9-10: Practice Squad Dudes
These players are practice squad contributors in action on Sunday and may or may not play. But they’d get a ring, nevertheless, if their team hoists a Lombardi:
- Anthony Harris (S, Eagles)
- Ihmir Smith-Marsette (WR, Chiefs)
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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