5 options to be the Minnesota Vikings’ 2019 punt returner
By Chris Schad
The Minnesota Vikings have a big void on special teams this year with the departure of Marcus Sherels. Who will step up and claim the vacant punt returner position?
The Minnesota Vikings have been spoiled for a majority of this decade when it comes to their punt returner position. While many teams are posed with the question of who will run back punts, there are few who find a talent at the position and are able to stick with it.
The Vikings weren’t exactly able to unearth the next Devin Hester, but they were able to find a steady option when Marcus Sherels took over as their punt returner in 2011.
In eight seasons as Minnesota’s primary punt returner, Sherels went on to rank first in franchise history in career punt return yards (2,447) and punt return touchdowns (five) while averaging 10.6 yards per return.
The Sherels era at punt returner ended earlier this year as the Vikings didn’t extend a contract offer to the 31-year old, thus leaving him to sign with the New Orleans Saints. While the move didn’t send shockwaves around the league, it leaves a huge void for Minnesota not just from his role as a punt returner, but a special teams ace as well.
For a team like the Vikings, that have many explosive players on the roster, they should have plenty of options to fill the punt returner position this year. The key will be to find the right man for the job in order to pick up where Sherels left off.
Who are five players from Minnesota’s current roster that could possibly end up as the team’s new punt returner for 2019?