Vikings Get Strong Message About Likelihood of Ending Championship Drought
We all know it a bit too well; the Minnesota Vikings have never won a Super Bowl. They did, however, win the 1969 NFL Championship against the Cleveland Browns. They would then go on to lose to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl IV.
Fans have been waiting way too long for a Super Bowl in the Twin Cities. The Vikings have been to the dance four times in their history, but have never been nominated Prom King. Their most recent trip came after the 1976 season, a losing effort to the Oakland Raiders led by John Madden. Since then, Minnesota has been to six NFC Championship games in the 1978, 1987, 1998, 2000, 2009, and 2017 seasons. Of course, these all ended in despair for the State of Minnesota.
Minnesota is now one of twelve to have never won the Super Bowl. Since they have one of the ultimate championship droughts, they were recently featured in a ranking by CBS Sports.
Vikings Ranked Among NFL’s Championship Droughts by Likelihood
CBS Sports ranked the Vikings as the 9th-most likely NFL team to end their 57-year championship drought in 2026, and provided some explanation.
“If they get some stability at quarterback (former Pro Bowler Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy are competing for the starting job), the Vikings can be a legitimate Super Bowl contender in 2026.
Minnesota, after all, had the seventh-ranked scoring defense in 2025. The Vikings also have arguably the best receiving trio in the NFL in Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and newcomer Jauan Jennings.”
Take a look at the teams ranked ahead of the Minnesota Vikings (from 1st to 8th):
- Buffalo Bills (61 years since last AFL championship, pre-SB era)
- Cincinnati Bengals (never)
- Chicago Bears (41 years since last Super Bowl victory)
- Detroit Lions (69 years since last NFL championship, pre-SB era)
- Los Angeles Chargers (63 years since last AFL championship, pre-SB era)
- Washington Commanders (35 years since last Super Bowl victory)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (never)
- Dallas Cowboys (31 years since last Super Bowl victory)
The first four teams immediately in front of the Vikings are interesting choices. The Cowboys do have a great offense, but their defense definitely needs improving. The Jaguars have promising pieces, but it’s hard to say they feel “closer” to a Super Bowl victory right now than the Vikings. The same thing goes for both the Commanders and Chargers. Good teams with solid pieces in its foundation, but are they really as close as the Vikings?
Vikings May Be a Few Pieces Away from Super Bowl Contention
I’d venture to say we all agree that the Vikings have a defense that would give some of the best teams in the NFL fits. They have great offensive weaponry, one of the best kickers in the league, and one of the most respected offensive minds in the NFL in Kevin O’Connell.
If the Vikings figure out the QB position, then they might be cooking with gas. It goes without saying that you need to get that position right, but we’re talking about a team that had some of the absolute worst QB play in the NFL last year and still finished half of a game outside of the playoff cutoff.
Minnesota could be a QB away and some lucky bounces away from being in contention for something special. It may sound ambitious, but I’d still be pretty confident saying they’re closer to a Super Bowl right now than the Jaguars.
