Following a 2025 season watched by the fanbase through their fingers, the Minnesota Vikings went out and signed veteran quarterback, and former No. 1 overall draft pick, Kyler Murray to a one-year contract this past March.
With that one-year deal, Murray now has the potential to be the latest veteran quarterback to start for the Vikings and then part with the franchise in the following offseason, something that has actually happened more frequently in the team's history than they would probably like to admit.
Minnesota has made multiple attempts to draft and develop a young quarterback ever since the retirement of the legendary Fran Tarkenton in 1979. But none of these attempts have resulted in the Vikings finding a signal-caller who could make an impact anywhere close to what Tarkenton was able to do for the franchise during his tenure.
Instead, Minnesota has both willingly and unwillingly resorted to relying on veteran quarterbacks who typically arrive desperate to get their NFL careers back on track and then leave after only one season, regardless of how well or poorly they performed.
Think of these quarterbacks as movie rentals on the shelf at an old video store. Some left a lasting impression on Vikings fans, good or bad, and others didn't even do enough to be remembered.
Just like a movie rental, though, their tenures in Minnesota were only temporary before it came time for another fanbase to get an opportunity to see what they could do inside their favorite team's VCR, er, home stadium.
Every one-and-done starting QB in Minnesota Vikings history
The criteria to qualify as a Vikings one-and-done quarterback is simple. The player isn't someone who was drafted by Minnesota, they had to start at least one regular-season game with the Vikings, and their time with the purple and gold didn't last any longer than one year.
Based on these requirements, 12 former Minnesota quarterbacks qualify, and Murray could potentially become the 13th if he starts for the team next season and doesn't re-sign with the Vikings in 2027.
But for now, we're going to focus on the 12 who are no longer members of Minnesota's roster.
Vikings One-And-Done QBs
- Sam Darnold (2024)
- Josh Dobbs (2023)
- Case Keenum (2017)
- Josh Freeman (2013)
- Donovan McNabb (2011)
- Kelly Holcomb (2007)
- Spergon Wynn (2001)
- Jeff George (1999)
- Jim McMahon (1993)
- Tony Adams (1987)
- Norm Snead (1971)
- George Shaw (1961)
Over the next several days, we'll look back at how each of the 12 quarterbacks landed with the Vikings and how things ended up going for them during their one season in the Twin Cities.
Check back frequently throughout the next handful of days, as the above list of quarterbacks will be updated with links to a more detailed article about each of their individual tenures in Minnesota.
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