The Minnesota Vikings’ punter battle between veteran Johnny Hekker and rookie UDFA Bret Thorson is way tighter than anyone initially believed, with reps split evenly across all three preseason games. Seriously, this thing is going down to the wire, and it’s making some noise even if it’s not the flashiest position.
The Numbers Don’t Lie on the Field
So, let’s talk about what actually went down on the field. Hekker, the experienced guy, punted nine times and averaged 40.0 yards per punt. Not bad, right? But then there’s Thorson, the rookie out of Georgia, who clocked in with a 41.5 yards per punt average. That’s a noticeable edge for the new kid. And it wasn’t just about distance: both guys pinned opponents inside their own 20-yard line a solid five times. When you see a rookie out-perform a veteran by over a yard and a half, you know there’s a real competition happening.
Holding Is the Hidden Game Changer
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell dropped the bomb after their loss to the Broncos, saying that holding for field goals will totally factor into the punter decision. This is where it gets interesting for Thorson. In college, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart used quarterbacks for holding duties, so Thorson didn’t have that experience. But guess what? He’s stepped up! Will Reichard nailed all his field goals throughout the preseason, with no reported issues with Thorson’s holds in games or during camp. O’Connell even said he’s been pleased with both guys, stating, “It’s a body of work. Obviously, the games are important, but we’ve got a bunch of kicks logged, and we’ll take a look at it, as well as the role of holding.”
This competition could genuinely go either way, but Thorson has the clear advantage of upside, and he’s totally proven he can handle the holding gig, which was Hekker’s assumed edge. What happens next? The Vikings have to make a tough call between veteran experience and a rookie who’s already out-kicking him with flawless holding. This decision impacts their special teams big time, so expect a final word very soon.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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