Vikings Add 6-Time All Pro Veteran
The Minnesota Vikings were punter-less for about a week until Tuesday evening, when the club announced the signing of six-time All-Pro Johnny Hekker. The 36-year-old replaces Ryan Wright, who punted for Minnesota since the start of the 2022 campaign and signed with the New Orleans Saints at the beginning of free agency.
Minnesota found its Wright replacement fast.
Hekker brings 14 years of experience to the Vikings, entering the NFL in the same year as safety Harrison Smith.
Hekker Could Stabilize the Vikings’ Special Teams
It’s Minnesota’s first new punter in five years.
Hekker Signs with Vikings
Hekker reunites with Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell, as the two crossed paths in Los Angeles with the Rams for two seasons, even with a Super Bowl triumph together.
Vikings.com’s Lindsey Young wrote Tuesday, “The Vikings have added a punter to the roster. Minnesota agreed to terms with four-time Pro Bowler Johnny Hekker, the team announced Tuesday. Hekker, 36, most recently spent the 2025 season with Tennessee. He played in all 17 games and punted 78 times for 3,653 total yards, averaging 40.3 net yards per boot. Hekker had seven touchbacks and landed 22 punts inside the 20-yard line.”
“Hekker got his NFL start as an undrafted free agent with the Rams in 2012. He stayed with the NFC team for 10 seasons, which included the relocation from St. Louis to Los Angeles following the 2015 campaign. Hekker earned Pro Bowl nods following the 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017 seasons.”
Many believed Minnesota might add a rookie punter next month, but Hekker appears to be the sole 2026 solution.
Yes, He Can Be the Holder
When Wright chose New Orleans — a four-year deal worth $14 million — most Vikings fans didn’t particularly care that the club would need a new punter. Those aren’t difficult to find. Conversely, Wright had built tremendous rapport with kicker Will Reichard — the guy considered the best kicker in the NFL last season, even grabbing All-Pro honors.
Well, the holder concerns are alleviated if Minnesota prefers Hekker for that duty. The new Viking has extensive holding experience, serving as the holder for the Rams during the Super Bowl run. That should do the trick for O’Connell’s team.
The regular season is about 5.5 months away; Reichard and Hekker have plenty of time to get on the same page.
The Career Resume
Hekker earned Pro Bowl trips in 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2017, in addition to First-Team All-Pro in 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2017. In 2014 and 2018, the man earned Second-Team All-Pro honors.
He ranked 24th in net yards per punt last season, 17th in punts inside the 20-yard line, and he had 7 touchbacks. The guy was pretty average or slightly below in 2025. The Vikings will hope he can turn back the clock.
Here are his net yards per punt since 2012:
- 2012 Rams: 39.9
- 2013 Rams: 44.2
- 2014 Rams: 42.3
- 2015 Rams: 43.7
- 2016 Rams: 46.0
- 2017 Rams: 44.3
- 2018 Rams: 43.0
- 2019 Rams: 42.4
- 2020 Rams: 39.2
- 2021 Rams: 42.5
- 2022 Panthers: 44.4
- 2023 Panthers: 43.0
- 2024 Panthers: 41.8
- 2025 Titans: 40.3
Hekker also earned a spot on the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2010s.
Young noted on Hekker, “Hekker has become well-known around the league for his execution of fake punts — but also for the ‘banana punt,’ which is a trick kick that’s been adapted from Australian rules football. Hekker turns the ball sideways upon dropping it, which allows it to curve right despite initially appearing that it will go left.”
All the Vikings Signings and Departures to Date
The Vikings became rather quiet in free agency over the last few days, so when Hekker signed, folks took notice. Here’s the list of signings and re-signings through nine days of free agency:
- Andrew DePaola (LS) MIN → MIN
- Johnny Hekker (P) TEN → MIN
- Kyler Murray (QB) ARI → MIN
- Ivan Pace Jr. (LB) MIN → MIN
- James Pierre (CB) PIT → MIN
- Jalen Redmond (DT) MIN → MIN
- Bo Richter (OLB) MIN → MIN
- Zavier Scott (RB) MIN → MIN
- Tavierre Thomas (S) SEA → MIN
- Eric Wilson (LB) MIN → MIN
The Vikings also put an offer sheet in for Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Ryan Van Demark on Tuesday.
These players have left Minnesota in free agency:
- Jonathan Allen (DL) MIN → CIN
- Ty Chandler (RB) MIN → NO
- Javon Hargrave (DL) MIN → GB
- Jalen Nailor (WR) MIN → LV
- Ben Sims (TE) MIN → MIA
- Ryan Wright (P) MIN → NO
Hekker will turn 37 next offseason. He’s the second-oldest player on the Vikings’ current roster behind long snapper Andrew DePaola (Harrison Smith is technically not under contract at the moment).
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