Vikings Kicker Will Reichard Perfect Again

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Aug 16, 2024
Will Reichard, Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings

Alabama kicker, Will Reichard, was picked in the 6th round (No. 203) of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. Only two kickers in franchise history have been picked higher.

The Vikings drafted Daniel Carlson in the 5th round (No. 167), back in 2018, and Blair Walsh was taken in the 6th round (No. 175) of the 2012 draft. In case you haven’t heard, neither experience went well. Walsh owns the 2nd most devastating missed wide left kick in Vikings history and Daniel Carlson made it to week three, before he was cut. Now, he’s one of the best kickers in the league… for the Las Vegas Raiders.

Given the history, fans raised their eyebrows when 3rd year general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah made Reichard a day three selection, this April. But since the moment the 23-year-old hit the practice field, those worries have been mostly washed away.

Minnesota Vikings rookie kicker Will Reichard can’t be tamed

He impressed at rookie camp, then minicamp. The Vikings loved him so much that they disposed of John Parker Romo just hours into training camp, much faster than what he was ok with. But then, Reichard’s first preseason field goal attempt of his NFL career was blocked. What happened next? He hit a walk-off winner later that afternoon.

On Wednesday and Thursday, this week, the Minnesota Vikings were in Cleveland, holding joint practices with the Browns. The two day endeavor didn’t exactly go as planned. The offense didn’t look up to par, Sam Darnold struggled and multiple important players suffered injuries of varying severity.

Reichard perfect in Cleveland

But one man, 23-year-old rookie kicker from Alabama, was not phased. After a perfect first day, Reichard delivered another perfect showing on Thursday. He ended practice in “The Land” by going 5-for-5 with two kicks over, and around, 50 yards out.

I hate to be this optimistic… and I know nobody wants to say it, in fear of whatever Minnesota sports demons it might dig up. But this dude might really be the next Justin Tucker or Adam Vinatieri. Yes, it’s way too early for that.

Related: Vikings Get Good News on Jordan Addison; Blake Cashman Has Finger Surgery?

Come on, though. You were thinking it, I was thinking it, your neighbor with the Vikings flag hanging next to their front door was thinking it, too. When good kickers land in MN careers are ruined, legacies destroyed.

But maybe… just maybe… this one is different?

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