Top 8 seasons by a Minnesota Vikings backup quarterback
By Tim Arcand
3. Jeff George (1999)
- Record: 8-2
- Stats: 2,816 yards, 23 touchdowns, 12 interceptions
The Vikings signed Jeff George to a one-year contract worth $400,000 to back up Randall Cunningham for the 1999 season. A former No. 1 overall pick by the Colts in 1990, George played four seasons in Indianapolis. The Vikings were his fourth team after playing three seasons in Atlanta and two in Oakland. The pattern of decreasing years in a city continued as George played only one season with the Vikings.
Cunningham struggled to open the season, winning only two of six starts. George took over in Week 7, never looked back. He won his first five starts moving the Vikings to 7-4. During the winning stretch, he threw 15 touchdowns and compiled a passer rating of 101.8. The Vikings lost their next two games before rebounding and closing the season with three wins and a 10-6 record.
It was good enough to make the playoffs as a wild card and host the Cowboys. In that game, George threw three touchdowns leading the Vikings to a 27-10 victory. He threw another four touchdowns the following week against the Rams in St. Louis, but it was not enough to beat the top team in the league as the Vikings lost 47-37.
Unfortunately, the Minnesota Vikings were unable to reach an agreement with George in the offseason and he signed a contract worth $2.5 million with the Redskins. He closed out his career with two seasons in Washington.