It is not often that we see special teams position battles, but in 2024, we are poised for just that. Ryan Wright and Seth Vernon, both punters on the roster, are jockeying for the most undervalued position in football.
Alec Lewis of The Athletic reported that the position battle had taken place recently. In his piece, Lewis hints that tenure does not mean much for the team in terms of making a decision.
“Earlier this spring, the Vikings signed Seth Vernon, a Portland State product who also went undrafted in 2022. Vernon arrived ready, impressed in organized team activities and has launched a full-on competition. Kevin O’Connell’s view might mirror his approach to the offensive line: Best man wins, prior ties be damned.”
No matter the position, hearing that prior ties to the team mean nothing is not only the right thing you want to hear but also refreshing. Kevin O’Connell is entering a pivotal year in his tenure with the Vikings; he can’t afford to have any biases. Putting the best team out there is all that matters at this point. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and himself have done well in building the roster; all that is left is to assemble them.
Even if that calls for position battles at the punter position.