The Minnesota Vikings had a pair of kicking competitions going this season. John Parker Romo was shown the door before his competition started. The punting competition has also now reached a conclusion.
Ryan Wright wins Minnesota Vikings punting competition
After the Minnesota Vikings defeated the Cleveland Browns during the second week of the preseason, they had seen enough. Although Ryan Wright and Seth Vernon were both vying for the punter job during the regular season, the incumbent proved victorious.
The #Vikings have signed WR Justin Hall and waived P Seth Vernon and WR Ty James.
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 19, 2024
📰: https://t.co/7zlnRM6brw pic.twitter.com/1wtmDzDe7W
Wright was the favorite given he has held the job each of the past two seasons. That said, Vernon was going to challenge the 2023 holdover after a down year. Minnesota waived Vernon on Monday morning and there ended the 2024 punting competition.
Vernon appeared in a single preseason game for the Atlanta Falcons during 2022. Vernon had a pair of punts for Minnesota during the first preseason game, and kicked once against the Browns.
Related: Intense Punter Competition Emerges at Minnesota Vikings Training Camp
His 44.33 yard average wasn’t enough to win him the job.
Minnesota Vikings need best version of Ryan Wright
A rookie in 2022, Ryan Wright has served as the Vikings punter each of the past two seasons. He posted a better net yardage per punt as a rookie, despite booting the ball for nearly 50 yards per kick last season. The biggest differentiator between the two seasons was a falloff in his ability to pin back the opposition.
WHAT A PUNT 💣
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) October 16, 2022
Ryan Wright's ball went nearly 80 years in the air 🤯
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/Km1jBgpX6I
As a rookie Wright posted a 43.8% tally for his punts being downed inside the 20-yard-line. That dropped to a miniscule 28.8% last season, and was combined with an 11.9% touchback total. After generating touchbacks just 1.4% of the time as a rookie, it was certainly a substantial falloff.
Kevin O’Connell is breaking in a new quarterback this season. The Minnesota Vikings defense also leaves plenty to be desired. All facets of the roster will rely on Wright doing his job at a high level. Clearly Minnesota believes he is up to the task.
Related: Does Stephon Gilmore Fix the Minnesota Vikings’ Cornerback Issues?
Wright’s job security received a boost after with Vernon moving on. He will need to show up on a weekly basis to avoid a 2023 season in the year ahead.