The Vikings’ most vexing season came to a conclusion under new quarterback coach Josh McCown.

Josh McCown, left, the new quarterback coach for the Vikings, was the quarterback on the pivotal play that eliminated the Vikings from the postseason in 2003.
PRESERVE Similar emotions were seen from Vikings fans and pain historians on Tuesday as word leaked that the team was hiring a new quarterbacks coach. Is Josh McCown not…? He is, indeed.

The most recent addition to the Vikings staff, McCown was the quarterback for the Cardinals in 2003 during the pivotal play that put an end to the most painful season I can recall the Vikings, or any Minnesota professional team, having in at least the last 25 years.

As time ran out on a fourth-and-25 play from the Vikings 28, McCown rolled out and found Nate Poole in the corner of the end zone for the game-winning touchdown pass. Arizona 18, Vikings 17. Final score.

The Vikings, as the division winners, would have advanced to the postseason with a victory. Rather, they were left out and the Packers were awarded a berth. Paul Allen of KFAN put it like way: Nooooooooo. Nooooooo.

Poole obtained the Green Bay city key, which isn’t quite as practical as Packers “stock,” but nonetheless. After an incredibly lengthy playing career, primarily as a backup quarterback, McCown retired from the game in 2019 and began teaching.

For, you know, just in case you forgot how annoying those Vikings from 2003 were:

*For now, only focusing on the Cardinals game: Arizona had a 3–12 record going into the match. With little under two minutes remaining, the Cardinals marched for a touchdown to cut the lead to 17-12, but the Vikings were ahead 17-6 midway through the fourth quarter against a squad that was obviously pleading for the season to end. The Vikings only had to recover an on-side kick from there to advance to the postseason. Of course, they didn’t act in such way. After receiving the ball, the Cardinals moved swiftly inside the Vikings 10 before being forced back by consecutive sacks. It resulted in a fourth-and-25. Additionally, you are aware.

*The Vikings were the original 2003.

But they fell short against the Giants despite having a 6-0 lead. That season, New York would have a 4-12 record. The Giants, Cardinals, Raiders, and Chargers were the four NFL teams that finished with the same record, sharing the lowest standings. During their final ten games, the Vikings suffered losses to all four of them. They tied for second place in the league that year with 127 penalties, which played a significant role in their downfall.

Could you name a more disappointing team in the history of Minnesota sports in the recent past? Perhaps it was for the best that McCown gave them what they deserved twenty years ago when he discovered Poole in the end zone?