Vikings Hall of Famer helping rebuild championship team in NFC West

Many amazing players have worn a purple and gold jersey during their career. One look through the Pro Football Hall of Fame or Minnesota Vikings Ring of Honor shows how great some of these players were in their heyday.

Former offensive lineman Steve Hutchinson is one of those great players to make their way through the Vikings' locker room. The Hall of Fame guard spent six seasons with the Vikings and was a big part of Minnesota's successful offensive line at the time.

Hutchinson was named All-Pro First Team five times and Second Team twice in his 12-year career. In total, he played 169 games and started every one of those for the Seahawks, Vikings, and Titans until he retired following the 2012 NFL season.

Vikings Hall of Famer helping rebuild championship team in NFC West

Although he retired as a player, Steve Hutchinson returned to the NFL as part of the Seattle Seahawks to aid in scouting offensive linemen in March 2020. His expertise in that area is a huge asset for the NFC West franchise.

""Not all players who scout are great scouts. But just talking offensive linemen over the years with Hutch, he knows exactly what he's looking at. He's really dialed into the makeup of these players.""

- Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy via SI

Minnesota Vikings fans know how hard it can be to draft an offensive lineman who thrives in the NFL. The team has selected multiple players at different points in the draft and has seen results that vary immensely.

If having Steve Hutchinson as part of the scouting process can help the Seahawks, it might be something the Vikings should look into replicating. Adding a great former player to the staff isn't always a recipe for success but if it can work, it could be a wonderful partnership.

The seven-time Pro Bowl blocker has a great reputation for his physical play when he was on the field and his intelligence on and off the field. It is not surprising that Hutchinson has returned to a sport that consumed so much of his life.

The Seahawks have found some success drafting offensive linemen since Steve Hutchinson arrived to evaluate talent and the former offensive lineman seems to be extremely happy in this role for Seattle.

""It was a win-win for me, and it's been great. I get a sense of helping the team that I was drafted by and help them get back to that Super Bowl.""

- Steve Hutchinson via SI

It is unknown if Steve Hutchinson will be able to help the Seattle Seahawks return to the Super Bowl, but the former Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman seems to be thriving in his role evaluating young talent.