The Minnesota Vikings announced Monday that superstar running back Adrian Peterson will be the next inductee into their Ring of Honor—a well-deserved honor for a future Hall of Famer. When his celebration day arrives, you can bet the crowd will erupt.

But as soon as Peterson's name was announced, the debate began: who should be next? Harrison Smith will certainly get his day, but he might still suit up for Minnesota this season. There's also the typical waiting period after retirement, but that shouldn't stop two other fan favorites from eventually taking their rightful place among Vikings royalty: C.J. Ham and Adam Thielen.

Both players wore purple last season, and both hung up their cleats this offseason. You can debate their career production numbers all you want, but there's no denying that each belongs enshrined in Minnesota history.

Let's start with Ham, a Duluth native who spent nine seasons with the Vikings. He played the least glamorous position in football—fullback—and turned it into two Pro Bowl selections. He scored in his final career game and appeared in 141 games for Minnesota, showcasing remarkable durability for a player who did the dirty work in the trenches.

Ham was the unsung hero clearing paths for Dalvin Cook and Aaron Jones. He wore the captain's patch, anchored the locker room, and went from an undrafted afterthought to a roster cornerstone. That kind of journey cements a legacy in purple.

Thielen's story follows a similar script. Another undrafted gem, he forced his way onto the roster through sheer willpower. Like Ham, he earned two Pro Bowl nods and piled up over 8,400 receiving yards. The Vikings brought him back as depth last season before letting him chase a ring with Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

A Detroit Lakes native and Minnesota State Mankato product, Thielen's rise was all about perseverance. He became a star alongside Stefon Diggs and Justin Jefferson, keeping the Vikings offense humming through a revolving door of quarterbacks.

Neither Ham nor Thielen will ever get a call from Canton—and that's fine. They don't need a gold jacket to be legends in Minnesota. What they need is a spot in the Ring of Honor, right where they belong.