Tag: Seth Vernon

Vikings’ Ryan Wright may soon have competition at the punter position

Ryan Wright won the Vikings’ punter competition over Seth Vernon, but his spot on the roster may not be safe according to one beat writer.

The battle at Punter was one of the biggest positional competitions to watch during this training camp. The Minnesota Vikings had two punters, Seth Vernon, and Ryan Wright, battling it out all camp and through most of the preseason to see who would stick around and make the opening-day roster.

Wright won the battle, with the Vikings releasing Vernon last week, but his position on the roster may not be as secure as some might think. According to Alec Lewis, Vikings beat writer for The Athletic, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Vikings “Scour the punter market over the next few days”.

Wright was impressive enough to win the competition over Vernon. Still, he struggled in the Vikings preseason finale, shanking one punt off his foot for just 26 yards, and was anything but solid for the Vikings as their full-time punter last season.

With the NFL’s deadline fast approaching, the Vikings could be looking intently at the waiver wire, seeing which specialists become available and starting the punting competition all over again with a fresh, new face to push Wright.

Vikings special teams leaders are now in place following roster moves

The special teams units of the Minnesota Vikings have found their leaders as we head into the final week of the preseason in 2024.

The special teams units of the Minnesota Vikings have found their leaders as we head into the final week of the preseason in 2024. Training camp started with competitions at both the kicking and punting positions and almost three weeks later we have resolutions to those jobs.

For kicking, rookie Will Reichard earned the job early in camp. Meanwhile, Ryan Wright earned the punting job on Monday after the team released Seth Vernon.

Reichard has been phenomenal in training camp and in both preseason games for the Vikings. They drafted the Crimson Tide kicker after letting Greg Joseph leave in free agency, which seemed puzzling at the time. It shows that perhaps we need to give Kwesi Adofo-Mensah more credit for his decision-making.

With the punting job now decided. Ryan Wright can head into the final preseason game knowing he has the job locked up. He will be a part of the final 53-man roster decision.

Vikings sign WR Justin Hall, waive two others, following game against Browns

The Vikings signed cornerback Stephon Gilmore and wide receiver Justin Hall while waiving punter Seth Vernon and wide receiver Ty James.

The Minnesota Vikings signed cornerback Stephon Gilmore and wide receiver Justin Hall while waiving punter Seth Vernon and wide receiver Ty James. We have discussed the Gilmore signing after it broke early Sunday morning but the news of Hall signing is new to the team and fans.

Hall entered the NFL in 2022 after a college career at Ball State, where he averaged 10.6 yards per reception and had 17 touchdowns. He went undrafted but signed with the Las Vegas Raiders. He never appeared in a regular-season game for the team but signed with the Houston Roughnecks of the UFL, where he found success in one season with the team.

In corresponding moves, the team released punter Seth Vernon, who was competing for the starting job opposite Ryan Wright, and wide receiver Ty James.

Hall enters a loaded and competitive wide receiver room where he will have to fight for a roster spot with just one game left in the preseason. Meanwhile, the punting competition is now over, and Wright is seemingly awarded the job.

Seth Vernon and Ryan Wright poised for battle to earn punting job

It is not often that we see special teams position battles, but in 2024, we are poised for just that between Ryan Wright and Seth Vernon.

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.

Minnesota Vikings sign punter Seth Vernon

The Minnesota Vikings have signed punter Seth Vernon to the roster. He will be the second punter on the team when camp starts.

The Minnesota Vikings have signed punter Seth Vernon to the roster. He will be the second punter on the team and will likely compete with Ryan Wright for the starting job.

Vernon most recently played in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons during their 2022 training camp. He signed with the Falcons after being undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft. He attended Portland State, where he played his entire career for them.

Vernon averaged 43.9 yards per punt and an average hangtime of 4.06 seconds. His career-long is 66 yards, and 26 of his 87 career punts went inside the 20-yard line while only six went for touchbacks.

The signing of Vernon is only the latest addition to what is gearing up to be a revamped special teams room.

Vernon and Wright will compete for the punting job, while 2024 NFL Draft selection Will Reichard and John Parker Romo will compete for the kicking job. The Minnesota Vikings will have many competitions across various positions; special teams are looking for special players who can make special plays.