A largely disappointing season winds down on Sunday for the Minnesota Vikings with the final game against Green Bay.  The year started off with high hopes from JJ McCarthy taking over the reins at QB, to the bringing home of Minnesota native Adam Thielen in the trade with Carolina.

Months later, McCarthy has missed almost half the season (7 games) with injuries, Thielen is now a Pittsburgh Steeler, and Minnesota looks to finish on a high note with a 9-8 record and five straight wins. It will now become another long winter for waiting for next year for Vikings fans and wondering if that elusive Super Bowl will ever come.

With Thielen moving on, and probably retiring at the end of the season, it seems appropriate to look at other Minnesota natives who played for their hometown purple, and some Central Minnesotans like Tech’s Brevyn Spann-Ford, who are making a run at, or made an NFL career.

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While Thielen may be the best-known native Minnesotan to play for the Vikings, there have been others, and although the Vikings have not won a Super Bowl, some lucky Central Minnesotans have won Super Bowls with other teams or gotten to play in the big game.

How many Minnesotans have played for the Vikings or in the NFL?

Check out the Gallery below of Minnesotans who played for the Vikings and some area players who have played in the NFL with the Vikings or on other teams. If you know any others who should be added to the list, email us here.

Minnesotans who played for the Vikings/in NFL

Native Minnesotans who played for their home state Vikings in the NFL, and Central Minnesotans who played in the NFL.

Gallery Credit: Paul Habstritt

READ MORE FROM AUTHOR PAUL HABSTRITT

Thanks For The Memories In MN Adam, SKOL Vikings

With the Minnesota Vikings waiving Detroit Lakes-native, former Minnesota State Mankato Maverick, Adam Thielen today, it’s only natural to go back and revisit his time with the hometown team. Here are some pictures of Adam in purple from his two stints with the Vikings, and his stats during his time with the Vikings. 

Gallery Credit: Getty Images

History of Minnesota Vikings’ 1st Round Draft Picks – Year by Year

The Minnesota Vikings started to participate in the NFL Draft in 1961. Over the years they have had a few great picks, some really good picks, some solid picks, and as we all know, some total busts and what were they thinking moments. Below is a history of all their first-round picks and some information so you can make the call for yourself on how they faired with each one.

Players Who Played For Vikings And Bears

The Bears and Vikings met for the 129th time in 2025. Here is a brief summary of the rivalry.

Gallery Credit: Dave Overlund