Grading every Minnesota Vikings position group from the 2020 season

Special Teams

Few imagined how bad and inconsistent the Vikings’ special teams unit ended up performing during the 2020 season. Every phase of their game was disappointing, to say the least.

Dan Bailey’s reliable kicking became an issue, with the veteran kicker connecting on only 15 of his 22 field-goal tries and missing six extra points. His 68.2 percent conversion rate on field goals and 86 percent on extra points were by far the lowest of his career.

Kick and punt returns were even more dismal. K.J. Osborn flopped in his new role by only gaining 3.9 yards per punt return and 21.6 yards per kick return. In addition, coverage on kickoffs and punt returns saw a lot of missed tackles that could have improved Minnesota’s field position.

Vikings punter Britton Colquitt wasn’t terrible in 2020, but he was one of the brighter spots of the unit. He finished 22nd in the NFL in yards per punt and he had two punts blocked in Minnesota’s Week 9 game against the Detroit Lions, which was an embarrassment for the protection.

Expect the Vikings special teams unit to have a big overhaul during the 2021 offseason. New players will likely be brought in to compete for multiple roles on Minnesota’s special teams.

2020 Grade: F