I'm punting on this one
One Starting Spot Vikings Fans May Not Realize Is Up for Grabs at Training Camp
A certain special teams battle should have everyone's attention.
Vikings special teams coordinator Matt Daniels will have an interesting decision to make during training camp. | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect
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The Vikings will have an entertaining training camp this summer, beginning when the rookies report to Eagan on Sunday. While several starting jobs are up for grabs, including the starting quarterback role, some competitions have a higher profile than others, which leaves the battle to decide the Vikings' punter lost in the shuffle.
The Vikings will be looking for a new punter this year after Ryan Wright signed with the Saints during free agency, leading to a competition between free agent pickup Johnny Hekker and undrafted free agent Brett Thorson. Although experience could play a big role, other factors will come into play, even if the battle slides under the radar as training camp begins.
Vikings punter competition is flying under-the-radar before camp
Wright was inconsistent over his four years in Minnesota but was coming off his best season as a pro. In 65 punts, Wright averaged a career-high 44.5 net yards per attempt that ranked fourth in the NFL among qualifiers. Wright’s 4.6% touchback rate ranked fifth among qualifiers and was also his lowest since a 1.4% clip during his rookie season in 2022.
In some ways, there was an argument to keep Wright, as he put it (h/t VikingzFanPage): the NFL is "a tough business," with a four-year, $14 million contract paving the way for his free-agent exit. That decision may have been easier with the large sum of money and a chance to settle in, but it leaves the Vikings with a big hole to fill this season.
Hekker seemed like he would be Wright’s replacement when he signed with the Vikings last March.
A four-time Pro Bowler, Hekker has averaged 42.7 net yards per attempt and a 5.6% touchback rate during his 14-year career. Much to his dismay, those numbers went haywire with the Titans last season as his 40.3 net yards per attempt was his lowest since 2020 (39.2), and his 9.0% touchback rate was a career high.
Those numbers shouldn’t have made the addition of Thorson surprising, but there were other reasons the Vikings brought him in. The Australian averaged 45.6 yards per punt over his four years at Georgia and won the Ray Guy Award as the best punter in the nation while averaging 45.5 yards per punt last season. While those numbers are a short decline, Thorson still launched 15 punts of 50 yards or more with just four touchbacks, showing the big leg and accuracy the Vikings want from the position.
Brett Thorson's potential has him firmly in the mix to become the Vikings' punter this season.
The battle is largely unknown, but the determining factor could be who becomes the better holder for Will Reichard.
While Wright battled Seth Vernon in 2024 and Oscar Chapman in 2025, he won both competitions largely due to his ability as a holder. That performance has helped Reichard make 57-of-65 (87.7%) field goals and all 69 extra points in his first two seasons, and those numbers may have been better if not for quad injuries and unfortunately placed camera wires.
Minnesota's punter job is up for grabs, even if fans may not realize it right away. While we may not be staring at a 'punt-off,' it will be a competition to keep an eye on that will have a big impact on the Vikings’ special teams, regardless of who emerges victorious.
Please God, just one Lombardi before I die.
Hekker is interesting with his history of fake punts/passing. But if last year is what his average will look like, at 40.2 yard avg. By contrast, Thorsen with 45.5 avg with some 50+ boomers. It's gonna come down to who can hold for Big Sexy Will.
Please God, just one Lombardi before I die.
Per the internet because Brett Thorson is a "foreign" player the Vikings can put him on the practice squad as a "protected" development player. So if the Vikings are on the fence.. stash the Aussie and run with Hekker.
Yep, I posted it earlier. Though, I didn't have such a catchy title. 😂
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Still Hurtn wrote:
Per the internet because Brett Thorson is a "foreign" player the Vikings can put him on the practice squad as a "protected" development player. So if the Vikings are on the fence.. stash the Aussie and run with Hekker.
I've been reading conflicting stories about that. Apparently, once he's on the practice squad as a designated IPP, the Vikings can keep him there as their 17th PS player without fear of losing him. However, it sounds like he still has to clear waivers like any other player headed to the PS. I honestly don't know the right answer but this is what I found....
1. Do IPP players have to clear waivers before going to the practice squad?
Yes. When an International Player Pathway (IPP) player is released at the end of training camp or during final roster cuts:
Like any other NFL player who isn't a vested veteran (less than 4 years of NFL service), they must be placed on waivers.
If the player clears waivers (meaning no other team claims them for their active 53-man roster), their designated team can then sign them to the practice squad using the International Player Practice Squad Exemption (which grants an additional 17th practice squad slot).
2. Can another team "poach" an IPP player?
The answer depends on whether the player is on the waiver wire or already signed to the practice squad, as well as recent rule changes made by the NFL.
During the Waiver Period
Yes, they can be poached. If a team waives an IPP player, any of the other 31 NFL teams can place a claim on him. However, to claim him off waivers, the poaching team must place him on their active 53-man roster (they cannot claim him just to put him on their own practice squad).
"The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it”
MaroonBells wrote:
I've been reading conflicting stories about that. Apparently, once he's on the practice squad as a designated IPP, the Vikings can keep him there as their 17th PS player without fear of losing him. However, it sounds like he still has to clear waivers like any other player headed to the PS. I honestly don't know the right answer but this is what I found....
1. Do IPP players have to clear waivers before going to the practice squad?
Yes. When an International Player Pathway (IPP) player is released at the end of training camp or during final roster cuts:
Like any other NFL player who isn't a vested veteran (less than 4 years of NFL service), they must be placed on waivers.
If the player clears waivers (meaning no other team claims them for their active 53-man roster), their designated team can then sign them to the practice squad using the International Player Practice Squad Exemption (which grants an additional 17th practice squad slot).
2. Can another team "poach" an IPP player?
The answer depends on whether the player is on the waiver wire or already signed to the practice squad, as well as recent rule changes made by the NFL.
During the Waiver Period
Yes, they can be poached. If a team waives an IPP player, any of the other 31 NFL teams can place a claim on him. However, to claim him off waivers, the poaching team must place him on their active 53-man roster (they cannot claim him just to put him on their own practice squad).
Interesting.. hadn't heard it put that way. This was Google AI
Brett Thorson does not have to clear waivers to be an international player if he is operating under the NFL's International Player Pathway (IPP) Program. The National Football League allows teams to sign an international prospect to a special roster exemption. [1]
Here are the details on how this works for Brett Thorson and the Minnesota Vikings:
The Exemption: Thorson was approved for an international roster exemption as a participant in the IPP program. This means the team gets an extra roster spot to develop him without sacrificing a spot on the active limit. []
No Waivers Needed: Because he is on this special exemption, the Vikings do not have to subject him to waivers to keep him in the program. Other teams are not permitted to claim him off the waiver wire while he holds this status.
Still Hurtn wrote:
Interesting.. hadn't heard it put that way. This was Google AI
Brett Thorson does not have to clear waivers to be an international player if he is operating under the NFL's International Player Pathway (IPP) Program. The National Football League allows teams to sign an international prospect to a special roster exemption. [1]
Here are the details on how this works for Brett Thorson and the Minnesota Vikings:
The Exemption: Thorson was approved for an international roster exemption as a participant in the IPP program. This means the team gets an extra roster spot to develop him without sacrificing a spot on the active limit. []
No Waivers Needed: Because he is on this special exemption, the Vikings do not have to subject him to waivers to keep him in the program. Other teams are not permitted to claim him off the waiver wire while he holds this status.
Well...like I said, conflicting stories. When even AI doesn't know, you know the rules are confusing.
"The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it”
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