New England Patriots sign former Minnesota Vikings kicker

The New England Patriots were in need of a kicker and decided to sign a former player for the Minnesota Vikings to perform those duties going forward.

Kicking problems aren’t something fans of the Minnesota Vikings are unfamiliar with. Over the course of the franchise history, there have been several instances where a big kick has missed its mark in the most pressing of moments.

Minnesota isn’t alone in those problems. Other teams have struggled to find stability in their field goals, extra points, and kickoffs in the past as well. In fact, one team has made the call to sign a former purple and gold kicker to help them going forward.

The New England Patriots announced the transaction on their official Twitter account earlier today.

With Nick Folk needing an appendectomy, the Patriots found themselves in a position where they would need a kicker to at least fill in until Folk can return. Of course, there is also the chance Forbath can do a great job and earn the job for the remainder of the season, if not more.

Fans of the Minnesota Vikings will remember Kai Forbath for his time with the Vikings during the 2016 and 2017 seasons where he played in 23 games for the purple and gold, connecting on 88.7% of his field goals and 84.9% of his extra points.

Minnesota parted ways with Forbath after spending a fifth-round draft pick on Daniel Carlson in the 2018 NFL Draft, but that didn’t work out too well for the Vikings as Carlson was released after only two NFL games after missing three of his first four field goal attempts.

The Patriots should rest easy knowing they have a solid kicker joining their team. Although Forbath’s time in Minnesota came to an end, he is an easy player to root for and deserves another chance to prove his worth in the NFL.

It’s worth noting that Forbath did join the Jaguars for three games last season and made 80.0% of his field goals and all three of his extra points.

Best of luck to former Minnesota Vikings kicker Kai Forbath with the New England Patriots, unless the two teams happen to meet in a game far down the road this season.