Jan 1, 2023; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Kene Nwangwu (26) during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports.
Kene Nwangwu encountered a wild ride last week.
The Minnesota Vikings stunningly parted ways with the speedster running back and kick returner one week ago amid roster cutdowns, and Nwangwu promptly signed with the New Orleans Saints. Soon after, he failed a physical in New Orleans, canceling that relationship and plopping him into the free-agent market.
But this week, Nwangwu will reportedly audition for the New York Jets roster. KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweeted Sunday, “Jets hosted Ken Nwangwu for a visit.”
When Minnesota cut ties with Nwangwu, it had grand plans for RB3 Myles Gaskin, who was announced as the team’s new kick returner last Thursday. 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 would join this RB room if signed:
There’s also a chance that Nwangwu would live on the practice squad at his next destination.
One of the speediest players in the NFL, Vikings loyalists longed for Nwangwu’s inclusion in the team’s offense for the last three years because of his speed, but the wish was not obliged. 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 scooped Nwangwu out of 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 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 former Vikings: Tyler Conklin (TE), Jalyn Holmes (DE, PS), and Chazz Surratt (LB).
The Vikings play the Jets in London on October 6th.
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.