ESPN Predicts 2 Former Vikings Stars as Hall of Famers in Next 3 Years
An induction into the Hall of Fame is the ultimate honor for any NFL player.
In the 64-year history of the Minnesota Vikings franchise, 15 players/coaches/executives have been inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame. And, according to ESPN’s Bill Barnwell, two more former beloved Vikings could join them very soon, as he predicted the next 10 Hall of Fame classes in a recent article.
ESPN Predicts 2 Former Vikings Stars as Hall of Famers in Next 3 Years
The Vikings have had plenty of very talented players come through their ranks over the years, but Jared Allen and Adrian Peterson are undisputable at the top of that list.
According to Barnwell’s prediction, both players will soon receive their gold jackets as rewards for their hard work.
Barnwell actually believes Allen will be included in the 2025 Hall of Fame class, ending the four-year streak of disappointment since his eligibility began.
“Likely the first Hall of Famer to make an appearance on MTV’s “Jackass,” Allen had a solid case as the league’s best pass rusher during his peak with the Chiefs and Vikings. He racked up 77.5 sacks over a five-year span between 2007 and 2011 and was a first-team All-Pro four times, although he never did manage a Defensive Player of the Year award.
“Allen might be hurt by the reality that his best years came on subpar teams, like the 2007 Chiefs and 2011 Vikings. He nearly made a trip to the Super Bowl with the Vikings in 2010, only for Minnesota to lose to New Orleans in the NFC Championship Game. He was a bit player on the Panthers team that was blown out by the Broncos in what turned out to be his final NFL game,” Barnwell wrote.
As for Peterson, he will have to wait a couple more years regardless, considering that his last playing days were with the Tennessee Titans in 2021. Assuming the 39-year-old running back doesn’t step back onto the NFL field, his first year of Hall of Fame eligibility will come as a potential member of the 2027 class.
Barnwell believes the star running back will get his gold jacket on his first try as well, writing,
“Will he be the last running back ever to win MVP? I believe we’ll see a back or two win the league’s top regular-season honor in the decades to come, but his 2,097-yard season in 2012 was one of the single most impressive years I’ve seen from a player, as he dragged an offense with Christian Ponder at quarterback into the postseason. Injuries might have prevented Peterson from challenging the all-time greats at his position, but he’s one of nine players with five 1,300-yard seasons. The only player in that group who isn’t in the hall is Clinton Portis.”
Both Peterson and Allen have had plenty of great moments throughout their careers as Minnesota Vikings players, and hopefully, Barnwell’s predictions prove correct in the coming years.
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