Image courtesy of Vikings.com
Depth chart updates and highlight videos usually drive offseason traffic, but sometimes, it’s the lesser stories that deserve the headlines. And for the Minnesota Vikings, a signing that ensures consistency on special teams is in it of itself, important news.
As first reported by Ian Rapoport, the Vikings and long snapper Kevin McDermott have agreed to a four-year, $4 million extension. McDermott originally signed a two-year deal last offseason, but will now remain in Minnesota through 2020.
For years, long snapper Cullen Loeffler manned the middle of Minnesota’s punt and field goal units. After joining the Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2004, he missed just five games for the team and remained the starter through 2014. But an errant snap against the Dolphins cost the Vikings a win that year and likely cost Loeffler his job.
Shortly after signing Loeffler to a one-year deal that offseason, the Vikings signed McDermott through 2016; thus creating competition at a position that hadn’t changed in 12 seasons. At the time of the signing, special teams coach Mike Priefer praised McDermott’s chemistry with the team’s specialists.
““Kevin has come in and the chemistry between all four of these guys has been fantastic,” he said, per Vikings.com”
McDermott won the battle and proved to be a reliable presence throughout 2015. Despite missing the most important kick of his career, Blair Walsh benefited from McDermott’s steady hand; he led the league with 34 made field goals and connected on 87 percent of his kicks.
Jeff Locke wasn’t as successful, but the Vikings punter should improve with a move to U.S. Bank Stadium. He and McDermott are former UCLA teammates who thrived on the same team in college. The expectation is that another year together and a move indoors will only help Locke’s numbers.
By extending McDermott, the Vikings are investing in special teams consistency; something the team could have used in last year’s NFC Wild Card game.