5 former Vikings that won a Super Bowl after leaving Minnesota
By Randy Smith
Tarvaris Jackson – QB (Seattle Seahawks)
The late Tarvaris Jackson might have not panned out as intended with the Vikings, but his NFL career was able to find a new role during his tenure with the Seahawks. Struggling to win with the Vikings, Jackson moved on to fill the shoes of Matt Hasselback in Seattle in 2011.
His 14 touchdowns to 13 interceptions in the 2011 season were the best TD:INT ratio of his career, but he was ultimately beat out by a rookie quarterback by the name of Russell Wilson the following year. He was then traded to the Buffalo Bills, where he didn’t see a snap.
When he re-signed with the Seahawks in 2013, Jackson came back as a backup quarterback and a mentor for Wilson. This paid off as Seattle won Superbowl XLVIII in a blowout fashion against the Denver Broncos, defeating them 43-8.
This blowout win paved the way for Jackson to get some snaps in the game, mostly handing off the ball, and attempting only one pass. However, Jackson’s knee hit the turf while in victory formation and he was able to secure his lone Super Bowl ring.
Maybe this was not how Jackson’s idea of a Super Bowl would come about, he ultimately found a way to be part of a championship-winning team in Seattle, much like the next player to win a Super Bowl after leaving the Vikings.