Where Will John Parker Romo Land When He is Kicked to the Curb by Vikings?

By    |  
Updated:
Follow Us
John Parker Romo, Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images

There are few organizations that have had kicking problems like the Minnesota Vikings over the years. In 2024 Kwesi Adofo-Mensah drafted Will Reichard, and he had John Parker Romo in camp. That created a frustrating competition, but the results have been nothing short of exceptional. Now the team is in a predicament thanks to an embarrassment of riches.

Where will Minnesota Vikings John Parker Romo wind up?

The Minnesota Vikings moved on from veteran Greg Joseph this offseason. That meant they needed to find a new answer at the kicker position. Rather than go with a selection that likely won’t make the roster, they chose Will Reichard in the sixth round out of Alabama. The highly decorated college leg established himself quickly and was nearly perfect before hitting injured reserve with a quadriceps issue. He’s now on his way back.

John Parker Romo was brought back after being jettisoned during training camp and he has cemented his placed as a professional talent. The former big-leg in XFL action had made 11-of-12 kicks in a Vikings uniform, and he’ll certainly command a job once Minnesota goes back to their starter. The Vikings have seen quite a turn of events in having two competent kickers, but that means the backup is going to garner attention elsewhere.

That’s great news for John Parker Romo. He was unemployed for the first handful of weeks to start the season. With turnover at the position across the league, there are multiple opportunities, but where does he wind up? It has to be a team that is winning enough to value the position, and one that has an incumbent leg struggling at converting.

Baltimore Ravens

How wild is it to think that the Baltimore Ravens would replace a legend like Justin Tucker? Unfortunately the 35-year-old has converted on a career-low 70.4% (19-27) of his kicks this season. It may be getting late early, and a team with Super Bowl aspirations certainly can’t afford to have their special teams sink them.

Romo would provide a fresh leg that could compete down the stretch. He’d immediately join another contender, and having kicked for the Vikings, he already knows him impactful each swing is.

Atlanta Falcons

Minnesota gets to see Younghoe Koo this weekend. The Atlanta Falcons are a fringe playoff team and plenty of that depends on the ability of quarterback Kirk Cousins. The former Georgia Southern kicker was sent packing by the Chargers in 2017 when he made just three of his first six kicks. Things have been much better since, but in 2024 the 30-year-old has made just 21-of-29 (72.4%) kicks.

If Atlanta thinks they can benefit from a change at the position, another poaching from Minnesota makes sense. Koo made a Pro Bowl back in 2020, and has been a consistent talent for the Falcons, but things fall apart quickly.

Los Angeles Rams

Much like the Minnesota Vikings, the Los Angeles Rams drafted a kicker during the 2024 NFL Draft. They took Stanford’s Joshua Karty in the same round as Will Reichard and had hopes of him being a difference maker in year one. Through 12 games Karty has made just 16-of-21 (76.2%) kicks, and he is only 2-of-4 from 40-49 yards. Matthew Stafford has battled through his weapons being unavailable, but his special teams unit has let him down.

If Sean McVay wants to give his veteran quarterback a short to make a postseason run, it will include winning on the fringes. Cutting ties with Karty would look similar to what Minnesota did with Carlson, but maybe there is a way to simply slide him to the side for a period of time.

Philadelphia Eagles

It’s disappointing to think that the Vikings could help out another good team, but that’s what the Eagles have in front of them. Philadelphia has a 10-2 record despite kicker Jake Elliot. The eight-year veteran has converted just 18-of-23 (78.3%) field goals this season. He is also 0-for-4 from beyond 50 yards.

If there is an opportunity for Nick Sirianni’s team to improve, it seems to come through special teams. Moving on from Elliot would be substantial, but Romo has been a much more reliable option since taking over for Minnesota. There is a very real possibility that these two teams could meet in the playoffs.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Injury Updates: Stephon Gilmore Latest, Will Reichard Returns to Practice

No matter what happens with the Vikings this time around, Romo should have zero ill will. Minnesota gave him an opportunity and he showcased his abilities. He should be kicking at he highest level for a winning team the rest of the way.

Mentioned in this article:

More About:
0What do you think?Post a comment.