Vikings Speedster … Is Now a New Orleans Saint
With perhaps the most stunning Minnesota Vikings’ transaction of the cutdown process, Kene Nwangwu was waived on Tuesday after three years of service.
Vikings Speedster … Is Now a New Orleans Saint
And it didn’t take long for a hated Vikings foe to pounce — the New Orleans Saints.
NewOrleans. Football’s Nick Underhill tweeted Wednesday, “Saints claimed RB Kene Nwangwu off waivers from Minnesota, per source.”
Nwangwu now joins this running back room in New Orleans:
- Alvin Kamara
- Jamaal Williams
- Jordan Mims
- Kene Nwangwu
Too, the Saints will employ two fantastic returners in Nwangwu and new teammate Rashid Shaheed. Depending on each man’s acclimation to the new kickoff return rule, Saints’ special teams could catch fire in 2024.
Nwangwu’s role with the Vikings was actually minimized last year when players and teams were afforded the option 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 in Minnesota, even with revised kick-return rules.
One of the fastest players in the business, Vikings fans longed for Nwangwu’s inclusion in the team’s offense for the last three years because of his speed, but the wish was ignored. 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 found Nwangwu in Round 4 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.
Without Nwangwu returning kicks for the 2024 Vikings, Minnesota will likely turn to running back Ty Chandler and wide receiver Brandon Powell for such duties. Those are the men listed on the initial 53-man depth chart, with the regular season just 11 days away.
Nwangwu’s exit on Tuesday shocked fans, mainly because the speedster performed particularly well in the preseason. He finally caught fire on offense, and Minnesota has vowed to finish its rushing attack in 2024. So, Nwangwu was in line for RB3 duty until the purple team severed ties amid his roster trimdowns.
Finally, there’s a coach connection for Nwangwu in New Orleans. Klint Kubiak joined the Saints as the offensive coordinator this offseason and coached Nwangwu as a member of the Vikings in 2021.
New Orleans also employs former Vikings offensive lineman Oli Udoh, who made the 53-man roster.
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.
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