Minnesota Vikings: Top 10 QBs in franchise history
By Dan Zinski
9. Brad Johnson
Baby-faced Brad Johnson was selected by the Vikings in the ninth round of the 1992 draft despite starting only one game as a senior at Florida State.
Johnson served as backup to the legendary Warren Moon before becoming the starter in 1996. Johnson was given the starting job for the Vikings in 1997 and again in 1998 but bowed out early due to injury in both seasons.
After the ’98 season, Johnson moved on to the Redskins. He would later move to Tampa Bay and become an unlikely Super Bowl champion.
Super Bowl ring in hand, Johnson returned to the Vikings in 2005 to serve as Daunte Culpepper’s backup.
Culpepper’s season-ending injury that year against Carolina pressed Johnson into service and the wily old veteran led Minnesota on a 7-2 run. The Vikings would come up just short of the playoffs.
Johnson was named the starter for Brad Childress’ first year in 2006 but played poorly and was replaced by rookie Tarvaris Jackson.
Though most of Johnson’s true accomplishments came away from Minnesota, he still did a lot to help the Vikings during his two stints in purple.