RAMSEY, MN - Daunte Culpepper still carries plenty of pull in Minnesota.
At the 2026 Erickson Classic, a charity golf event at The Links at Norfolk benefiting local youth, the former Vikings quarterback was surrounded by fans and participants before teeing off. He posed for photos, talked with people in the clubhouse and, even 20 years after his last game in purple, looked like someone who never really left the Twin Cities.
That kind of reception makes sense. Culpepper, drafted 11th overall by Minnesota in 1999 out of Central Florida, took over as the starter in 2000 and became a defining quarterback for a generation of Vikings fans. In seven seasons with the team, he piled up 20,162 passing yards and 135 passing touchdowns, both good for fourth in franchise history.
Before the tournament got rolling, Culpepper talked about the Vikings’ current quarterback picture, his connection to the area and the memory that still stands out most from his time in Minnesota.
On Kyler Murray, Culpepper didn’t sound like someone asking for a big adjustment period. The former quarterback pointed to Murray’s experience and track record.
“Well, I mean, Kyler is-he's a veteran in the league," Culpepper said. "He's had some success, and he's been a great athlete his whole life. So he knows what he needs to do.”
Culpepper was even more upbeat when asked what Murray could do with a healthy 2026 season in front of him.
“I think he's going to have a great year. He's going to surprise a lot of people with the players that we have on this team.”
J.J. McCarthy was part of the conversation too. Culpepper, who knows what it’s like to deal with injuries and keep moving forward, said the young quarterback has plenty to work with.
“Obviously, he's a great competitor, and I think he has all the tools to be a great quarterback in this league. And he's a young guy, so you know nobody knows the future. But I think if he stays positive, learns what he can, takes everything one day at a time, he'll be fine.”
That comes at a time when the Vikings and McCarthy appear to be at a crossroads after losing the team’s QB battle to Murray shortly into camp. Culpepper’s view carries obvious weight for a franchise that has spent most of its existence searching for the answer at quarterback.
Even though he no longer lives in Minnesota, Culpepper said the state still feels like home whenever he returns for games or events.
“Minnesota's always been good to me,” Culpepper said. “I got some really good friends here, and it's always a pleasure when I come back. Whether it's a game or a charity event like this, it's always awesome, and I look forward to coming back to Minnesota whenever I can.”
When the conversation turned to his favorite Vikings memory, Culpepper went straight to Green Bay. He singled out a road win on opening week in 2003, and he enjoyed every bit of the setting in the rival’s freshly renovated stadium.
“I love playing Green Bay. For some reason, that rivalry, that tradition, it was great," Culpepper admitted.
"And going into Green Bay on opening week, and I think it might have been 2003. They had just did a new renovation, and it was a big to-do about, you know, this new stadium stuff they had in Green Bay, and it was a big party for them.
And we just came in and rained on the parade, just rained, just made the whole stadium shut up and be quiet.”
If the Vikings can open the season by doing the same thing to the Packers on Sept. 13, Culpepper would probably appreciate the script.
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