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3 Vikings One-Hit Wonders We Wish Hadn't Disappeared

By Alexander Wolz

The Minnesota Vikings have made multiple one-hit wonders from which we expected more.
The Minnesota Vikings have made multiple one-hit wonders from which we expected more. / Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Over the years, we've seen countless standouts go on to have incredible career for the Minnesota Vikings. The rich history of the organization is thanks in large part to standouts making unreal plays for the Vikes over the years. But, what about the guys who won over hearts everywhere during short stints with the squad?

In this piece, we take a look at three players who didn't last long putting up huge numbers in Minnesota, but surely left their mark on the Vikings.

3. RB Michael Bennett

Michael Bennett's rise to fame ended as quickly as it came.
Michael Bennett's rise to fame ended as quickly as it came. / Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Not the defensive end, but the running back drafted by Minnesota with the 27th pick in 2001. After a debut season playing backup, Bennett was thrust into the starting role following Robert Smith's retirement. Bennett exploded in his second season, starting all 16 games and rushing for 1,296 yards. Bennett never topped 500 yards in the rest of his career, making his way out of Minnesota in 2005 and fizzling out to a 2010 retirement.

2. DB Brian Russell

Brian Russell delivered a defensive season unlike many others.
Brian Russell delivered a defensive season unlike many others. / Jeff Gross/Getty Images

What a story Brian Russell is. Undrafted, Minnesota took a chance on Russell and after spending an entire season on the practice squad, gave him a roster spot in 2002. After a mediocre opening year, Russell broke out for nine interceptions in 2003, including one in each of the first six games, tying the record for most picks in an NFL season. Russell moved positions to free safety the following year and never came close to those numbers. But who can blame him? Nine interceptions are unbelievable for a reason.

1. WR Sidney Rice

Injuries prevented Rice from ever reaching his full potential.
Injuries prevented Rice from ever reaching his full potential. / Tom Dahlin/Getty Images

Rice entered the scene in 2007 and put up two years worth of average numbers with the Vikings. In 2009, everything changed. Rice jumped out to an unbelievable season with 83 catches for 1,312 yards and 8 touchdowns. A hip injury in the 2010 NFC Championship game vs. Seattle doomed Rice's career and he was never able to recover from that point forward.