7 free-agent kickers the Vikings could sign in 2023
By Nik Edlund
Chase McLaughlin
2022 Team: Indianapolis Colts
Look at this, another former Viking kicker is on the open market and looks to be an upgrade over what they had a season ago. McClaughlin has actually had two stints with the Vikings after a whirlwind start to his NFL career.
He was an undrafted free agent of the Buffalo Bills. He was then signed to the Vikings practice squad but released 10 days later. He then spent time with the Chargers, then the 49ers, then the Colts, then back to the Vikings.
The Jaguars signed him off the Vikings practice squad, and a few weeks later was waived and then claimed by the New York Jets. He then signed with the Browns but was waived after the 2022 NFL Draft. The Colts brought him back for a second tour after Rodrigo Blankenship struggled, and he remained their kicker the rest of the season.
So for those of you keeping score, that is eight teams in four years in the league, which is exhausting. Anyway, McLaughlin does appear to be an upgrade for the Vikings. He hit 83.3 percent of his field goals and made every single one of his extra points.
He is still young and wouldn’t break the bank. McLaughlin could come to Minnesota for the third time if they sign him in free agency. Maybe this time, he’ll stick around for a few years.