Former Vikings Who Might End Up Super Bowl Champs
The Minnesota Vikings will not win a Super Bowl this year. They were eliminated from postseason contention a couple of weeks ago, instead watching the playoffs unfold from home. But a handful of notable former Vikings could win the chip. Those scenarios are in play.
Once the Vikings’ season ends, the rooting interest shifts to familiar faces, so here’s who has a realistic path to finishing as a champion.
From the Top 8 teams with the best Super Bowl odds from sportsbooks, the following players could hoist the Lombardi trophy in February.
Former Vikings with a Real Shot at a Super Bowl Ring
Listed alphabetically, watch these ex-Vikings in the playoff tournament.
Garrett Bradbury | C, NE
Bradbury has undergone a rather Bradburian season in New England, posting a mediocre 60.6 grade from Pro Football Focus. It’s his first season outside of the Vikings organization, and he’s playing serviceably.
It helps his case that his quarterback, Drake Maye, will probably win the NFL MVP award in a few weeks. The Patriots have benefitted from an easy schedule by the numbers and have Top 8 Super Bowl odds accordingly.
Sam Darnold | QB, SEA
Darnold started the season white-hot and then cooled off. This is the evidence:
Sam Darnold,
EPA+CPOE,
NFL Ranking in 2025:
Week 1-9: 1st
Week 10-17: 21st
Still, his team’s defense is a Top 2 unit in all of land, and there’s a decent chance that Mike Macdonald’s defense takes Darnold to the Super Bowl.
Darnold and the Seahawks secured the No. 1 seed in the NFC on Saturday night, taking down the San Francisco 49ers by a score of 13-3.
ESPN’s Brady Henderson and Nick Wagoner wrote about Darnold’s Week 18 showing, “What to make of the QB performance: Darnold didn’t throw a touchdown pass, and he had an opportunity for one on Seattle’s opening drive only to bypass an easy throw in the flat to Charbonnet.”
“But Seattle’s quarterback did what he had to do — which was to not turn the ball over on a night in which their run game and defense were going to be enough. He avoided a disastrous moment when he fumbled after getting stepped on by an offensive lineman, but Seattle recovered. Darnold finished 20 of 26 for 198 yards.”
Stefon Diggs | WR, NE
Diggs is battling some utterly disturbing legal allegations at the moment, but the NFL does not appear to be in a hurry to suspend him.
He’s the aforementioned Maye’s favorite target, tabulating 82 receptions for 970 yards and 4 touchdowns this season. If the NFL doesn’t suspend him for the strangulation incident, the Patriots could tunnel deep into the playoffs.
Even with the strange strangulation ordeal, the Patriots support him unwaveringly.
New England released this statement: “Stefon has informed the organization that he categorically denies the allegations. We support Stefon. We will continue to gather information and will cooperate fully with the appropriate authorities and the NFL as necessary. Out of respect for all parties involved, and given that this is an ongoing legal matter, we will have no further comment at this time.”
Danielle Hunter | DE, HOU
We mentioned the Seahawks as a Top 2 defense around the sports. They’re Top 2 because Houston might be the top dog. Depends on the eye of the beholder.
And Hunter has a lot to do with that, recording 14 sacks, which is 2.5 away from his career high. He and Will Anderson habitually wreak havoc on Sundays, and with any luck, quarterback C.J. Stroud can get hot and lead the Texans to their first Super Bowl appearance.
Beyond the shadow of a doubt, Houston has the defense for it.
Ed Ingram | G, HOU
Remember Ed Ingram? The guy Minnesota traded to Houston for a 6th-Round pick? He’s the NFL’s 16th-best guard, which is impressive because 64 are on a field any given Sunday.
The Vikings ended up flipping the draft pick from the Ingram trade into running back Jordan Mason, but if Ingram keeps up his rejuvenation year, Houston will have won the trade in hindsight.
The Texans’ offensive line has been known for lousy play for years. Guys like Ingram are helping to change that reputation.
The Others
Some players in the running to win a Super Bowl either don’t play a large role on their current team or didn’t play long enough for the Vikings to be notable.
These are those men:
- Joshua Dobbs (QB, Patriots)
- Christian Elliss (LB, Patriots)
- Marcus Epps (S, Eagles)
- Sam Howell (QB, Eagles)
- Vederian Lowe (OT, Patriots)
- David Quessenberry (OT, Rams)
- Khyiris Tonga (DT, Patriots)
- Nick Vannett (TE, Rams)
- K’Von Wallace (S, Texans)
Oddsmakers expect a Super Bowl in February between the Seahawks and Broncos.
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