Top 8 seasons by a Minnesota Vikings backup quarterback

1. Randall Cunningham (1998)

• Record: 13-1
• Stats: 3,704 yards, 34 touchdowns, 10 interceptions

It is no surprise that the best single-season performance by a backup quarterback belongs to Randall Cunningham. A second-round draft pick of the Eagles, Cunningham retired after playing 11 years in Philadelphia following the 1995 season. After one year, head coach Dennis Green convinced him to join the Vikings as a backup in 1997. Cunningham started the last three games that season only winning one of them. At 9-7, the Vikings made the playoffs with Cunningham at quarterback. In the regular season, he finished 1-2 with six touchdowns, four interceptions, and an unimpressive 71.3 passer rating.

In 1998 he got the chance to start 14 games for the Minnesota Vikings when starter Brad Johnson suffered an ankle sprain Week 2. Johnson never started another game that year—and for good reason. Cunningham had the best season in his 16-year career. He was better in 1998 for the Vikings than he was during any of the three consecutive Pro Bowl seasons for the Eagles from 1988 to 1990. Cunningham was named First-Team All-Pro for the only time in his career.

The 1998 Vikings team was special. Perhaps Johnson could have been just as effective with Randy Moss and Cris Carter, the best wide receiver duo in Vikings history. Moss, in his rookie season, led the team with 17 touchdowns and Carter had 12.

Cunningham lost only one game, directing the league’s top offense to a 15-1 record. The Vikings led the NFL, scoring 34.8 points per game with Cunningham setting career highs for touchdowns and passer rating (106.0). In two playoffs games, he would throw five more touchdowns with only one interception and a 97.7 passer rating.

Unfortunately, Cunningham may be best known for taking a knee in an NFC Championship game where the Minnesota Vikings lost to the Falcons in overtime.