Minnesota Vikings cut kicker Daniel Carlson, expected to sign Dan Bailey

After a disastrous performance in Green Bay, the Minnesota Vikings cut rookie Daniel Carlson and will reportedly sign accurate veteran Dan Bailey.

Less than 24 hours after Daniel Carlson missed three field goals in a 29-29 tie with the Green Bay Packers, the Minnesota Vikings have released the rookie kicker and have replaced him with former Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

The release of Carlson signals a white flag by general manager Rick Spielman after he traded up to grab the kicker out of Auburn in the fifth round. Although Carlson had his moment during training camp and the exhibition season by displaying a strong leg, he never could harness his accuracy, going 1-for-4 in field goal attempts, but 6-for-6 in extra points.

The signing of Bailey is another “all-in” move by the Vikings who have Super Bowl aspirations. As one of the NFL’s most accurate kickers, Minnesota has to feel like they added another weapon to a roster that could easily be 2-0 with one made field goal.

Of course, this move does not come without risk. Bailey missed significant time in 2017 battling a groin injury and lost his job the summer after a battle with rookie Brett Maher. According to Blogging The Boys’ Michael Sismore, Bailey’s accuracy had also declined over the past three seasons, which along with a hefty salary may have sealed his fate.

Even with the Vikings rolling the dice, this is a move that had to be made. The kicking carousel had already cost the team one divisional game and with the margin of error being thin in a loaded NFC, it was a risk worth taking.