8 Vikings players make ESPN’s NFC North All-Decade Team

Who were the best Minnesota Vikings players during the last decade?

During the last decade, the Minnesota Vikings were able to experience a good amount of success. Since the 2010 season, the Vikings managed to earn four trips to the playoffs, make one appearance in the NFC Championship, and win two division titles.

The second half of the decade was definitely more enjoyable for Minnesota than the first half. The beginning of this past decade featured the end of Brett Favre’s career, Brad Childress getting fired, Christian Ponder failing, and Leslie Frazier only lasting three years as the Vikings head coach.

Since Mike Zimmer was hired to be the team’s head coach in 2014, however, Minnesota has been among the most consistently competitive teams in the entire NFL.

Which Minnesota Vikings players deserve to be on the NFC North All-Decade Team?

So of all the players to suit up for the Vikings since 2010, who should be included on the NFC North All-Decade Team. Well, ESPN recently gave it their best shot and they ended up selecting eight current and former Minnesota players for the team.

On the offensive side of the ball of the All-Decade Team, the Vikings were represented by former running back Adrian Peterson, current tight end Kyle Rudolph, and former center John Sullivan. Minnesota was represented by a total of four players on the All-Decade Team’s defense including former defensive tackle Linval Joseph, former defensive end Jared Allen, former linebacker Chad Greenway, and current safety Harrison Smith.

Lastly, former Vikings first-round pick Cordarrelle Patterson was selected by ESPN as the top returner for the NFC North All-Decade Team.

For the most part, Minnesota fans shouldn’t really have any problems with the guys who were selected. There are probably arguments to be made for other current and former Vikings players like Everson Griffen, Xavier Rhodes, Adam Thielen, and Stefon Diggs, but it’s not too crazy to see that they weren’t included on the team.

Sure the 2010s was another decade that didn’t include Minnesota capturing their first-ever Super Bowl win. But there were still plenty of moments from the last decade that will forever remain in Vikings history.