Will Reichard Embraces the Challenge as Vikings’ Sole Kicker, Impresses in Training Camp

The Minnesota Vikings made a decisive move on July 29, waiving kicker John Parker Romo, which left rookie Will Reichard as the only kicker on the team’s training-camp roster. Despite the shift, Reichard, a standout from Hoover High School and the University of Alabama, has remained focused on his preparation for the 2024 NFL season.

Reichard, speaking on August 3, emphasized his commitment to personal growth: “I’m not really dwelling on the situation too much. My focus is on improving every day, pushing myself to be the best version of who I can be. It’s all about incremental progress—just getting 1 percent better each day. Wherever that leads, I’ll embrace it.”

Vikings special teams coordinator Matt Daniels revealed that the decision to finalize the kicking competition earlier than expected wasn’t the original plan. The team’s need to strengthen its secondary prompted the signing of Bobby McCain, a former Oxford High School standout, which led to Romo’s departure.

“That was a tough call,” Daniels said. “We wanted to continue evaluating John Parker Romo because he was performing well. Will understood from the start that the job wasn’t just going to be handed to him because he was a draft pick. He had to earn the respect of his teammates and prove himself worthy. But with the roster changes, we had to make that move. And Will has been outstanding since he arrived.”

Greg Joseph, who had been the Vikings’ kicker for the past three seasons, moved on to the Green Bay Packers as a free agent in March after a 2023 season where he made 24-of-30 field-goal attempts and 36-of-38 extra points. Romo, who joined the Vikings on March 13, had a successful stint with the San Antonio Brahmas in the XFL and previously spent time with the New Orleans Saints, Detroit Lions, and Chicago Bears, though he has yet to appear in a regular-season NFL game.

Reichard was drafted by the Vikings in the fifth round of the NFL Draft on April 27. During his five seasons with the Crimson Tide, he showcased his reliability by converting 84-of-100 field-goal attempts and 295-of-297 extra-point tries, amassing an NCAA-record 547 points.

Daniels praised Reichard’s consistency, saying, “He’s what you’d call ‘steady Eddie.’ He maintains a calm and neutral mindset, no matter the circumstances. Even on days when he’s perfect, he’s critical of his performance, always striving for more. His high standards and self-expectations are exactly why we drafted him.”

Reichard, acknowledging the mental aspect of kicking, said, “A lot of kicking is mental. Many players have the physical ability, but what matters most is what’s going on up here,” as he pointed to his head. “Keeping that sharp is crucial.”

Reichard is set to make his debut in a Minnesota uniform during the Vikings’ preseason opener against the Las Vegas Raiders at 3 p.m. CDT on Saturday at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The game will be televised on the NFL Network.

“I think this is a fantastic opportunity,” Reichard said. “I’ve found myself surrounded by a great group of guys. The entire organization has been incredibly welcoming, and I’m thrilled to be here.”