While the Minnesota Vikings anxiously await a decision from Harrison Smith on whether he plans to come back in 2025, the best safety in team history is soaking up some accolades this offseason.
On Monday, Hall of Fame safety Paul Krause shared a graphic on his X account that declared him the third-best safety in NFL history. The caption from Krause read, “Honored to be mentioned among the NFL’s top safeties.”
Honored to be mentioned among the NFL’s top safeties. pic.twitter.com/DksB243s0s
— Paul Krause (@PaulKrauseHOF) February 17, 2025
Krause’s inclusion on the list is well-deserved. He is the league’s all-time interception leader, picking off 81 passes during his 16-year career. The closest anyone has gotten to breaking the record since his retirement was when Rod Woodson intercepted 71 passes before retiring in 2003.
In an ever-evolving NFL world where rules continue to favor offenses and quarterbacks, Krause’s record may never be broken. Teams are more careful with the ball, and receivers don’t have to fear going over the middle of the field like they once did.
FOX Sports initially shared the graphic in December, but Krause appears to have just recently seen it. He spent the first four seasons of his career with Washington from 1964-67 before spending his final 12 years in Minnesota.
The Vikings made their first postseason appearance in Krause’s first year. In 1969, Krause and the Vikings made their first of four Super Bowl appearances, establishing themselves as one of the top teams of the decade. With the “Purple People Eaters” terrorizing quarterbacks, Krause took advantage of errant passes downfield.
He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Vikings’ Ring Of Honor in 1998.