Minnesota Vikings: Daunte Culpepper
Daunte Culpepper sounds like a detective in a buddy cop movie who tries to stop the two local cops from messing up a sting operation. It just so happens that Culpepper is the second-best quarterback in Vikings history and seems to get forgotten in time.
Culpepper became the starter in 2000. Together with Randy Moss, the Vikings’ offense continued to be must-watch TV every Sunday. In his first season as a starter, Culpepper was a Pro Bowler. He led the NFL with 33 touchdown passes. He also threw for 3,937 yards and completed just under 63 percent of his passes.
Culpepper struggled in 2001 and 2002, leading the NFL in interceptions with 23 in the latter. In 2003, though, he was back to his Pro Bowl form. He threw for over 3,400 yards and 25 touchdowns. In 2004, he led the NFL with a staggering 4,717 yards and 39 touchdowns. In any other season, he would have won MVP, but Peyton Manning threw 49 touchdowns that season.
Culpepper bounced around teams to end his career and dealt with injuries, but he was very good when he was at his peak with the Vikings.