10 greatest Minnesota Vikings safety duos of all-time

Paul Krause and Jeff Wright (1972-1974 and 1976-1977)

• 5 seasons
• 28 interceptions
• 13 fumble recoveries
• 2 touchdowns
• 130 starts

The safety duo of Paul Krause and Jeff Wright tops the list. Their five seasons and 130 starts are the second-most on the list. Their 28 total interceptions are third on the list and when combined with their 13 fumble recoveries, this duo tied for the most turnovers of any safety duo included on this list.

This duo was carried by Krause, who in 1964 was selected in the first round of the NFL Draft by Washington and the 12th round by Denver in the AFL Draft.

Opting to play in the NFL, Krause started all but two games for the Redskins from 1964 to 1967. In three of his four seasons in Washington, he led the Redskins in interceptions, picking off a total of 28 passes. Krause was traded to Minnesota before the 1968 season and in his first year with the Vikings, he led the team in interceptions with seven.

Wright joined Minnesota as a 15th-round draft pick in 1971. Wright’s roots go deep in Minnesota. He was born in Edina, Minnesota, he attended the University of Minnesota, and he played his entire seven-year NFL career with the Vikings.

Of the two, Krause had a much more decorated career. He was selected to eight Pro Bowls and three times was named a First-Team All-Pro.

Even though Wright never made it to a Pro Bowl, he certainly held his own while playing alongside the future Hall of Famer. Of their 28 interceptions, Krause picked off 16 and Wright added 12 and Wright accounted for nine of the 13 fumbles the duo recovered.

This duo could have had even better numbers if Wright had been able to play the entire 1975 season. He was limited to only three games that year and he did not record an interception.

During the seven seasons Wright played with the Vikings, the team made the playoffs six times. In the five seasons he started alongside Krause, the duo played in a total of 11 playoff games.

Here’s hoping the new duo of Harrison Smith and Anthony Harris can put together a similar run of success, including helping the Vikings do something no other duo was capable—win a Super Bowl.