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RetroSeasons recaps past sports seasons through stories, photos, videos, and stats from every team, league, and stadium in history. Coverage includes the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL, as well as vintage media from defunct teams and leagues.
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Minnesota Vikings logo

Minnesota Vikings
Franchise Overview 1961-2021 (61 seasons)

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Teams Minnesota Vikings Logos Franchise Overview
Professional football in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area (the "Twin Cities") began with the Minneapolis Marines/Red Jackets, an NFL team that played intermittently in the 1920s and 1930s. However, a new professional team in the area did not surface again until August 1959, when Minnesota businessmen Bill Boyer, H.P. Skoglund, and Max Winter were awarded a franchise in the new American Football League (AFL). Five months later, in January 1960, after significant pressure from the NFL, the ownership group, along with Bernard H. Ridder Jr., reneged on its agreement with the AFL and then was awarded the National Football League's 14th franchise, with play to begin in 1961. Ole Haugsrud was added to the NFL team ownership because, in the 1920s, when he sold his Duluth Eskimos team back to the league, the agreement allowed him 10 percent of any future Minnesota team. The teams from Ole Haugsrud's high school, Central High School in Superior, Wisconsin, were also called the Vikings and had a similar purple-and-yellow color scheme. From the team's first season in 1961 to 1981, the team called Metropolitan Stadium in suburban Bloomington home. The Vikings conducted summer training camp at Bemidji State University from 1961 to 1965. In 1966, the team moved to their training camp to Minnesota State University in Mankato. The training camp at Minnesota State was one of the longest continuously running training camp events in the NFL and is remembered as part of the golden era history of the team. The Vikings played their home games at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis from 1982 to 2013. The Vikings played their last game at the Metrodome on December 29, 2013, defeating the Detroit Lions 14–13 to end the season. Since the team's first season in 1961, the Vikings have had one of the highest winning percentages in the NFL. As of 2019, they have won at least three games in every season except in 1962, and are one of only seven NFL teams to win at least 15 games in a regular season. The Vikings have won one NFL Championship, in 1969, before the league's merger with the American Football League (AFL) in 1970. Since the merger, the team has qualified for the playoffs 28 times, third-most in the league (trailing only the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers). The team played in Super Bowls IV, VIII, IX and XI, but failed to win any of them. In addition, they have lost in their last six NFC Championship Game appearances, stretching back to 1978. The Vikings have 15 members in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Professional football in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area (the "Twin Cities") began with the Minneapolis Marines/Red Jackets, an NFL team that played intermittently in the 1920s and 1930s. However, a new professional team in the area did not surface again until August 1959, when Minnesota businessmen Bill Boyer, H.P. Skoglund, and Max Winter were awarded a franchise in the new American Football League (AFL). Five months later, in January 1960, after significant pressure from the NFL, the ownership group, along with Bernard H. Ridder Jr., reneged on its agreement with the AFL and then was awarded the National Football League's 14th franchise, with play to begin in 1961. Ole Haugsrud was added to the NFL team ownership because, in the 1920s, when he sold his Duluth Eskimos team back to the league, the agreement allowed him 10 percent of any future Minnesota team. The teams from Ole Haugsrud's high school, Central High School in Superior, Wisconsin, were also called the Vikings and had a similar purple-and-yellow color scheme. From the team's first season in 1961 to 1981, the team called Metropolitan Stadium in suburban Bloomington home. The Vikings conducted summer training camp at Bemidji State University from 1961 to 1965. In 1966, the team moved to their training camp to Minnesota State University in Mankato. The training camp at Minnesota State was one of the longest continuously running training camp events in the NFL and is remembered as part of the golden era history of the team. The Vikings played their home games at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis from 1982 to 2013. The Vikings played their last game at the Metrodome on December 29, 2013, defeating the Detroit Lions 14–13 to end the season. Since the team's first season in 1961, the Vikings have had one of the highest winning percentages in the NFL. As of 2019, they have won at least three games in every season except in 1962, and are one of only seven NFL teams to win at least 15 games in a regular season. The Vikings have won one NFL Championship, in 1969, before the league's merger with the American Football League (AFL) in 1970. Since the merger, the team has qualified for the playoffs 28 times, third-most in the league (trailing only the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers). The team played in Super Bowls IV, VIII, IX and XI, but failed to win any of them. In addition, they have lost in their last six NFC Championship Game appearances, stretching back to 1978. The Vikings have 15 members in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Recap

Professional football in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area (the "Twin Cities") began with the Minneapolis Marines/Red Jackets, an NFL team that played intermittently in the 1920s and 1930s. However, a new professional team in the area did not surface again until August 1959, when Minnesota businessmen Bill Boyer, H.P. Skoglund, and Max Winter were awarded a franchise in the new American Football League (AFL). Five months later, in January 1960, after significant pressure from the NFL, the ownership group, along with Bernard H. Ridder Jr., reneged on its agreement with the AFL and then was awarded the National Football League's 14th franchise, with play to begin in 1961. Ole Haugsrud was added to the NFL team ownership because, in the 1920s, when he sold his Duluth Eskimos team back to the league, the agreement allowed him 10 percent of any future Minnesota team. The teams from Ole Haugsrud's high school, Central High School in Superior, Wisconsin, were also called the Vikings and had a similar purple-and-yellow color scheme.

From the team's first season in 1961 to 1981, the team called Metropolitan Stadium in suburban Bloomington home. The Vikings conducted summer training camp at Bemidji State University from 1961 to 1965. In 1966, the team moved to their training camp to Minnesota State University in Mankato. The training camp at Minnesota State was one of the longest continuously running training camp events in the NFL and is remembered as part of the golden era history of the team. The Vikings played their home games at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis from 1982 to 2013. The Vikings played their last game at the Metrodome on December 29, 2013, defeating the Detroit Lions 14–13 to end the season.

Since the team's first season in 1961, the Vikings have had one of the highest winning percentages in the NFL. As of 2019, they have won at least three games in every season except in 1962, and are one of only seven NFL teams to win at least 15 games in a regular season. The Vikings have won one NFL Championship, in 1969, before the league's merger with the American Football League (AFL) in 1970. Since the merger, the team has qualified for the playoffs 28 times, third-most in the league (trailing only the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers). The team played in Super Bowls IV, VIII, IX and XI, but failed to win any of them. In addition, they have lost in their last six NFC Championship Game appearances, stretching back to 1978. The Vikings have 15 members in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Close
1961-2021 (61 seasons)

Minnesota Vikings Team History

Top Seasons

Year Record Result
2017 13-3 Lost AFC/NFC Championship
1976 11-2 Lost Super Bowl
1974 10-4 Lost Super Bowl
1973 12-2 Lost Super Bowl
1969 12-2 Lost Super Bowl IV
Won NFL Championship
View More Vikings Seasons

Last 5 Seasons

Year Record Result
2021 8-9 Missed Playoffs
2020 7-9 Missed Playoffs
2019 10-6 Lost Division Championship
2018 8-7 Missed Playoffs
2017 13-3 Lost AFC/NFC Championship
View All Vikings Seasons

1st Round Draft Picks

Year Rd/Pick Player
2021 1 / 23 Christian Darrisaw OL
2020 1 / 22 Justin Jefferson WR
2020 1 / 31 Jeff Gladney CB
2019 1 / 18 Garrett Bradbury C
2018 1 / 30 Mike Hughes CB
View All Vikings Draft Picks

Longest Serving GM's

Tenure Years General Manager
2006-21 16 Rick Spielman
1975-90 16 Mike Lynn
1964-74 11 Jim Finks
1991-98 8 Jeff Diamond
2002-05 4 Rob Brzezinski
View All Vikings General Managers

Team Owners

Tenure Years Owner
2005-21 17 Zygi Wilf
1998-04 7 Red McCombs
1991-97 7 Roger Headrick
1961-90 30 Max Winter
1961-90 30 Bill Boyer
1987-90 4 Wheelock Whitney
View All Vikings Owners

Related Content

Stories, Photos, Videos, Podcasts, and Publications featuring Minnesota Vikings Franchise Overview
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Minnesota Vikings Media Guidepublication
Minnesota Vikings Media Guide
65 issues 1961-2025
This media guide is a comprehensive resource created by the team to provide detailed information about its players, coaches, history,...
/ This media guide is a comprehensive resource created by the team to provide detailed information about its players, coaches, history, and season schedule. Released annually, it serves journalists, broadcasters, and fans by offering accurate profiles, statistics, and historical records. The guide enhances media coverage, fan engagement, and promotional efforts.
1967 Minnesota Vikings Highlighting Fred Cox and Bill Brown's Playspublication
1967 Minnesota Vikings Highlighting Fred Cox and Bill Brown's Plays
Page from publication 1967
...
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1967 Minnesota Vikings Key Players and Roster Highlights in NFL Historypublication
1967 Minnesota Vikings Key Players and Roster Highlights in NFL History
Page from publication 1967
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1967 Minnesota Vikings Offensive Playbook Diagrams and Strategiespublication
1967 Minnesota Vikings Offensive Playbook Diagrams and Strategies
Page from publication 1967
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1967 Minnesota Vikings Player Depth Chart for NFL Football Teampublication
1967 Minnesota Vikings Player Depth Chart for NFL Football Team
Page from publication 1967
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1967 Minnesota Vikings Team Roster Highlights Key Players and Statspublication
1967 Minnesota Vikings Team Roster Highlights Key Players and Stats
Page from publication 1967
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1967 Minnesota Vikings: Jim Marshall's Impact on the Defensepublication
1967 Minnesota Vikings: Jim Marshall's Impact on the Defense
Page from publication 1967
...
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1969 Bud Grant Viking's Playbook: Key Running Play Explainedpublication
1969 Bud Grant Viking's Playbook: Key Running Play Explained
Page from publication 1969
This series focused on profiling prominent NFL players of the time, offering fans biographical sketches, career highlights, and...
/ This series focused on profiling prominent NFL players of the time, offering fans biographical sketches, career highlights, and personal anecdotes. Each book typically included a mix of established stars and emerging talents, providing a snapshot of the league's top performers. These books served as both a historical record and a way for fans to connect with their favorite players beyond the field.
1969 NFL Stars: Carl Eller and Leroy Kelly Vintage Football Articlepublication
1969 NFL Stars: Carl Eller and Leroy Kelly Vintage Football Article
Page from publication 1969
This series focused on profiling prominent NFL players of the time, offering fans biographical sketches, career highlights, and...
/ This series focused on profiling prominent NFL players of the time, offering fans biographical sketches, career highlights, and personal anecdotes. Each book typically included a mix of established stars and emerging talents, providing a snapshot of the league's top performers. These books served as both a historical record and a way for fans to connect with their favorite players beyond the field.
1970 NFL Game: Chiefs vs Vikings, Len Dawson in Actionpublication
1970 NFL Game: Chiefs vs Vikings, Len Dawson in Action
Page from publication 1970
The official NFL guide, published under several different titles over the years....
/ The official NFL guide, published under several different titles over the years.
1970 Super Bowl IV: Chiefs' Len Dawson Leads Victory Over Vikingspublication
1970 Super Bowl IV: Chiefs' Len Dawson Leads Victory Over Vikings
Page from publication 1970
The official NFL guide, published under several different titles over the years....
/ The official NFL guide, published under several different titles over the years.
Carl Eller Pursues Jerry Rhome in 1970 Vikings vs. Browns Gamepublication
Carl Eller Pursues Jerry Rhome in 1970 Vikings vs. Browns Game
Page from publication 1970
The official NFL guide, published under several different titles over the years....
/ The official NFL guide, published under several different titles over the years.

Vikings History

  • Franchise Overview
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  • Team Stats
  • Franchise Leaders
  • Season Records
  • Draft Picks
  • Head Coaches
  • General Managers
  • Owners
  • Stadium History
  • Logo History
  • Audio & Video Clips
  • Articles & Photos
  • Collectibles on eBay
  • Links Website
    Wikipedia
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