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After Adrian Peterson, Who’s Next for the Vikings Ring of Honor?
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- After Adrian Peterson, Who’s Next for the Vikings Ring of Honor?
Bob Donnan-US PRESSWIRE
The Minnesota Vikings surprised Adrian Peterson this week by inducting him into the club's prestigious Ring of Honor at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Peterson is in. The next debate has plenty of familiar names.
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NFL.com's Nick Shook wrote , "An all-time great will soon be immortalized by his first team. The Minnesota Vikings will induct Adrian Peterson into the club's Ring of Honor in 2026, the team announced Monday."
"A running back who defined the position for his generation, Peterson was an undeniable workhorse over a decade with the Vikings, racking up seven 1,000-yard seasons, four first-team All-Pro selections (and three second-team honors), seven Pro Bowl nods and the aforementioned 2012 NFL MVP campaign in which Peterson rushed for 2,097 yards, finishing eight yards shy of the all-time single-season record."
Several Vikings Have a Real ROH Case
So, we ask — who's next? Here's a look at the usual suspects, listed in alphabetical order.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr celebrates late in the fourth quarter on Oct. 22, 2017, during a home game against the Baltimore Ravens at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Barr remained one of the defining defenders of Mike Zimmer's era, combining athleticism, versatility, and blitzing ability while helping anchor Minnesota's aggressive front-seven identity. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports.
Anthony Barr | LB
Barr served as Mike Zimmer's main consistent defensive weapon from 2014 through 2021, popping up again with the club in 2023 before his retirement.
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He played 102 games for the Vikings in his career, logging four Pro Bowls to his name. It would not be strange for Barr to get the ROH nod before it's all said and done. Four Pro Bowls aren't nothin'.
Anthony Carter | WR
Carter played 133 games with the Vikings, totaling 7,636 receiving yards and 52 touchdowns, complete with three Pro Bowl trips. He reached the 1,000+ yard mark in 1988, 1989, and 1990.
The 65-year-old was classified as one of the 50 Greatest Vikings and was around for the last time that Minnesota won two playoff games in the same season — 1987.
He may have time working against him: Why would the Vikings suddenly induct him into the Ring of Honor after 33 years?
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Chad Greenway | LB
This two-time Pro Bowler (2011, 2012), played his entire career in Minnesota — cover to cover. He was a mainstay of the Vikings' defense under head coaches Brad Childress, Leslie Frazier, and Mike Zimmer for three seasons before hanging up his cleats at 33.
Per the eye test, Greenway is an ROH guy.
Everson Griffen | DE
Griffen ranks eighth in Vikings history in sacks with 74.5. He was a slow-burning as a young defender, taking about four seasons to fully turn the corner into a full-fledged starter in 2014. Once he clicked, though, Griffen was a staple of Zimmer's defense, tallying 12 sacks in 2014, 10.5 in 2015, 8 in 2016, and another 13 in 2017 when Minnesota reached the NFC Championship .
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He retired after the 2021 campaign, so his ROH candidacy remains fair game.
C.J. Ham | FB
Fullbacks don't really have stats, but if they did, Ham would be near the front of the pack. He habitually did the Vikings' dirty work, and like Greenway, spent his whole career in the Twin Cities.
If ROH induction were up to fans' votes, Ham might be a shoo-in.
Tommy Kramer | QB
Kramer reached the Pro Bowl in 1986 and threw 159 touchdowns as a Viking. He ranks third all-time in franchise history in touchdown passes behind Fran Tarkenton and Kirk Cousins .
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Tommy Kramer appears in action during the Hall of Fame Game in August 1982 at Fawcett Stadium in Canton, Ohio. Kramer became one of the defining quarterbacks of the 1980s Vikings era, known for his toughness, aggressive downfield style, and memorable late-game moments throughout his Minnesota tenure. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports.
"Two-Minute Tommy" is also active in the Vikings' fan community. He's one of the good guys.
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Harrison Smith | S
Smith may still return to the Vikings; his offseason decision-making process this go-round is shrouded in mystery.
He's a six-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro. The cool thing about Smith? He will be in the Ring of Honor. It's just a matter of when .
Zone Coverage 's Wyatt Wade on Smith : "If Smith comes back, it gives the team a year to develop his replacement but also provides them with additional options. Smith's return puts the front office in what could be considered a best-case scenario. They'd have a future Hall of Fame superstar safety in the building to help the younger DBs."
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"While the waiting game stays the same regarding Smith's decision, the game plan changes. As a Vikings fan and a Harrison Smith fan, every season watching No. 22 play is a gift. While one more season would be nice to see, I would not blame him if he decided to hang up the cleats."
Adam Thielen | WR
Thielen retired with his pal, Ham, this offseason. The two-time Pro Bowler ranks fifth in Vikings history in receiving yards (6,751) and third in touchdown receptions (55). Like Smith, Thielen's addition to the ROH will be a no-brainer — probably a few years from now.
Antoine Winfield | CB
Winfield spent nine seasons in Minnesota: 2004 to 2012. During that time, he visited the Pro Bowl thrice — all in a row from 2008 to 2010.
Minnesota Vikings defensive back Antoine Winfield stands on the field before kickoff on Dec. 20, 2010, ahead of a matchup against the Chicago Bears at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Winfield earned widespread respect during his Vikings tenure for physical tackling, instincts in coverage, and consistent reliability in Minnesota's secondary. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports.
Make no mistake, Winfield was dominant in Minnesota, despite his size at 5'9″ and 180 pounds.
Unfortunately, Winfield has time working against him. He retired in 2012. That was 14 years ago, and there's no ROH love to date.
