Ex-Vikings Speedster Lands on His Feet
After approximately two weeks following his unceremonious exit from the Minnesota Vikings, running back and kick returner has found new NFL employment.
Ex-Vikings Speedster Lands on His Feet
Nwnagwu will be a New York Jet, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Pelissero tweeted Monday, mere hours before the Jets take on the San Francisco 49ers: “Former Vikings KR/RB Kene Nwangwu is signing with the Jets practice squad today, per source.”
Nwangwu promptly signed with the New Orleans Saints two weeks ago, but soon after, he failed a physical in New Orleans, ending that relationship and tossing him on the free-agent market.
When Minnesota cut ties with Nwangwu, it had grand plans for RB3 Myles Gaskin, who was announced as the team’s RB3 when Nwangwu departed. Nwangwu did not leave the Vikings with an injury designation.
Nwangwu’s role with the Vikings was minimized last year when players and teams were allowed to take the football at the 25-yardline on kick-offs, no matter what, with a fair catch signal. Fast forward to 2024, and Nwangwu was the odd man out for Minnesota, even with revised kick-return rules.
In New York, Nwangwu joins this RB room:
- Breece Hall
- Braelon Allen
- Israel Abanikanda
- Isaiah Davis
- Xazavian Vallady (Practice Squad)
One of the fastest players in the NFL, Vikings loyalists longed for Nwangwu’s involvement in the team’s offense for the last three years because of his speed, but the wish was not granted. The Iowa State alumnus touched the ball 33 times on offense for 118 yards from scrimmage in his career, not exactly a productive resume for a player with three seasons in the books.
Minnesota discovered Nwangwu in the 4th Round of the 2021 NFL Draft, and he’s returned three kickoffs for touchdowns in three years. His kick return touchdown on Thanksgiving night versus the New England Patriots in 2022 was a game-saver for Minnesota. The Vikings forced no turnovers against Bill Belichick’s team, oddly couldn’t stop quarterback Mac Jones, leaving Nwangwu’s performance as the hinge that determined the game.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell mentioned two weeks ago that Nwangwu’s exit was about Gaskin’s emergence on offense and special teams. O’Connell noted on the NFL’s new kickoff return rule: “Everybody is still determining what this new kickoff return format will be. It’s going to be a work in progress regarding the opportunities you do and don’t get.”
The Jets employ three other ex-Vikings: Tyler Conklin (TE), Jalyn Holmes (DE, PS), and Chazz Surratt (LB).
The Vikings play the Jets in London on October 6th and defeated the Jets’ stadium mate, the New York Giants, in Week 1, 28-6.
New Viking Instantly Steals Fans’ Hearts
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
You must be logged in to post a comment.