10 greatest Minnesota Vikings safety duos of all-time

6. Kurt Knoff and Tom Hannon (1980–1981)

• 2 seasons
• 14 interceptions
• 6 fumble recoveries
• 2 touchdowns
• 64 starts

Before teaming up with John Turner in the Vikings’ defensive backfield, Tom Hannon played two seasons alongside Kurt Knoff.

This duo started every game in 1980 and 1981 with Hannon intercepting four passes each season and Knoff adding three. Their two touchdowns, one by each safety, are tied for the most of any duo on this list.

Knoff, a second-round draft pick of the Denver Broncos in 1976, played two seasons with the Houston Oilers, making only five starts, before joining the Vikings in 1979. He spent four years in Minnesota before retiring from football in 1983.

5. Karl Kassulke and Paul Krause (1968-1971)

• 4 seasons
• 32 interceptions
• 9 fumble recoveries
• 1 touchdown
• 105 starts

This is Karl Kassulke’s second appearance on the list and this time it has him teamed up with Paul Krause.

The four seasons this duo played together in the Vikings’ defensive backfield is the third-most of any safety duo in team history. A steady contributor, Kassulke had at least one interception in every season from 1964 to 1972. However, he never picked off more than three passes, which he did in both 1964 and 1971.

Krause, drafted in the second-round by Washington in 1964, played four seasons with the Redskins before joining Minnesota in 1968.

Krause immediately replaced Dale Hackbart alongside Kassulke. Their best season together came in 1969 when Krause intercepted five passes, returning one for a touchdown, and Kassulke intercepted two more. Krause was named to the Pro Bowl in 1969 and 1971 and Kassulke was named in 1970.

In 1972, Kassulke’s last in the NFL before his motorcycle accident, a transition was underway that formed another duo on this list as Kassulke only started six games that season.