It’s been nearly five decades since the Minnesota Vikings last played in a Super Bowl - 49 years, to be exact. That last appearance came at the close of the 1976 season, when they fell to John Madden’s Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XI. And while the Vikings won’t be suiting up this Sunday for Super Bowl 60, their fingerprints will still be all over the field in Santa Clara - just not in purple and gold.
Both the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots feature a handful of former Vikings players, some of whom are playing pivotal roles in their teams’ championship runs. Let’s break down who’s who, and how these ex-Vikes are contributing on the NFL’s biggest stage.
Seattle Seahawks
Sam Darnold: From Bridge QB to Breakout Star
The most high-profile former Viking in this year’s Super Bowl is quarterback Sam Darnold - and what a journey it’s been.
Minnesota brought in Darnold on a one-year, $10 million deal in March 2024, largely to hold the fort while rookie J.J. McCarthy developed.
But when McCarthy went down with a season-ending knee injury, Darnold didn’t just manage the offense - he elevated it. He led the Vikings to a 14-3 record, putting together the best statistical season of his career: 66.2% completion rate, 4,319 passing yards, 31 touchdowns, and a 102.5 passer rating.
Despite that performance, the Vikings chose not to re-sign him, and Darnold landed in Seattle. All he’s done since is repeat the 14-3 regular season record, post a career-high 67.7% completion rate, and throw for 4,048 yards and 25 touchdowns. And he’s been even better in the postseason - no picks, nearly 70% completion, and a 122.4 passer rating through wins over the 49ers and Rams.
Darnold’s transformation from journeyman to Super Bowl starter is one of the season’s most compelling storylines. He’s not just along for the ride - he’s driving the bus.
Chazz Surratt: Back in the Mix
Linebacker and special teams contributor Chazz Surratt is also back in action for the Seahawks after being activated from injured reserve this week. A third-round pick by Minnesota in 2021, Surratt’s time with the Vikings was short-lived - he didn’t make it past the 2022 final cuts. But he’s carved out a role in Seattle, appearing in 11 games this season before an ankle injury sidelined him.
Now healthy, Surratt is back just in time for the biggest game of his career.
Other Familiar Names
Running back Cam Akers and cornerback Shaquil Griffin - both with brief ties to the Vikings - are currently on Seattle’s practice squad. While they won’t be active on Sunday, they’ve still been part of the Seahawks’ Super Bowl push.
New England Patriots
Stefon Diggs: The Minneapolis Miracle Maker Returns to the Big Stage
Stefon Diggs is no stranger to postseason heroics. Vikings fans will never forget the Minneapolis Miracle, and now the veteran wideout is chasing another iconic moment - this time in a Patriots uniform.
After stops in Buffalo and Houston, Diggs signed a three-year, $63.5 million deal with New England last March. At 32, he’s still got plenty left in the tank, putting up 85 catches for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns in the regular season. That earned him a spot as a finalist for the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award.
In the playoffs, Diggs has continued to deliver, adding 11 catches for 73 yards and a touchdown in wins over the Texans and Broncos. He’s been a steady, reliable target in a Patriots offense that’s leaned on experience and execution to get back to the Super Bowl.
In the Trenches and Beyond
The Patriots’ roster is littered with former Vikings in less glamorous - but no less important - roles.
- Garrett Bradbury, the former first-round center, has anchored the interior of New England’s offensive line.
- Khyiris Tonga, a stout presence on the defensive front, has provided valuable depth in the trenches.
- Vederian Lowe, another offensive lineman with Minnesota ties, has contributed as a rotational piece.
- Joshua Dobbs, who had a brief but memorable stint with the Vikings in 2023, is now serving as New England’s backup quarterback.
And while not on the active roster, Trent Sherfield - a wide receiver who spent time in Minnesota - was re-signed to the Patriots’ practice squad after being waived before the AFC Championship.
The Vikings’ Imprint on Super Bowl 60
No, the Vikings won’t be playing for the Lombardi Trophy this Sunday. But their presence will be felt - not just in the memories of what could’ve been, but in the performances of players who once called Minnesota home.
From Sam Darnold’s redemption arc to Stefon Diggs’ continued postseason excellence, several former Vikings will have a chance to shape the outcome of Super Bowl 60. For Minnesota fans, it’s a bittersweet reminder of the talent that’s passed through - and a reason to tune in anyway.