In Minnesota Vikings lore of the last, say, 25-30 years, perhaps no position draws more easy ire from fans than kicker. And yes, whoever it is is "only" the kicker, but when they fail in a big moment, it sticks in memory like few other things do.
Will Reichard, after being drafted in the sixth round last year, did not miss a kick for the first seven games of his rookie season (14-for-14 on field goals; 20-for-20 on extra points). In Week 9 against Indianapolis missed two field goals, then he missed the next four games with a quad injury.
Upon returning to action, Reichard missed four field goals over the final five regular-season games. He was also shaky on kickoffs, inviting concern about lingering effects of his quad injury and/or a case of mental yips coming off the injury.
An offseason to rest or fully heal surely did Reichard some good. But, while we shouldn't overreact to anything from early in training camp, many on-site reports say he has not yet rebounded from last season's late downturn. So he is now someone to watch closely as preseason games get going next week, and genuine questions about his job security could be coming.
Which kickers should the Minnesota Vikings keep an eye on in case Will Reichard continues to struggle?
Teams make and constantly maintain an "emergency list" of available players, in case of injury, etc. While Reichard's camp struggles haven't risen to the level of an emergency yet, the Vikings may find themselves in the market for someone to at least compete with their second-year kicker in short order.
With that in mind, and with full acknowledgement, Reichard could render his current struggles moot very quickly. Here are three kicker options the Vikings could entertain before too long.
3. Cade York
Over three seasons since the Cleveland Browns drafted him in 2022, York has lived the well-traveled life of a kicker on the fringes. He was released by the Browns in August of 2023, then he spent time with the Tennessee Titans and New York Giants (while never kicking in a game for either team) that season.
Last year, York kicked in one game for the Washington Commanders, missing both of his field goal attempts. He then found a softer landing with the Cincinnati Bengals when Evan McPherson landed on IR, going 9-for-11 on field goals (with a long of 59 yards) and 14-for-15 on extra points over five games for them.
The only known interest York has gotten for this year came recently, when he was one of three kickers the Titans had in for a tryout on July 30. The two-time All-SEC Second Team selection, and one-time Second Team All-American, during his time at LSU might always be best-known for having a girlfriend (and now wife) who is a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. But he's also just 24 years old, with a potentially long career still ahead of him.
York might not be a serious threat to Reichard if the Vikings brought him in for a look, but in the vein of adding competition, he makes a lot of sense.
2. Eddy Piñeiro
Piñeiro spent the last three seasons with the Carolina Panthers. While it's not surprising they didn't bring him back after an underwhelming season in 2024, it is pretty surprising he's still available as the start of training camp starts to meld into the first preseason game for teams.
Throughout his NFL career, with the Chicago Bears (2019), the New York Jets (2021), and the Panthers (2022-2024), Piñeiro has made just over 88 percent of his field goals. He certainly isn't renowned for his booming leg (14 attempts from 50-plus yards out over five seasons), or his clutch gene, but that he isn't in a camp somewhere competing for a job is odd. Age, as he'll turn 30 in September, is not a factor.
Pineiro would be more along the line of someone to compete with Reichard than replace him, but the Vikings could easily kick the tires if it comes to that.
1. Matt Prater
A torn meniscus in his plant-leg (left) knee ended Prater's 2024 season with the Arizona Cardinals last season after just four games. His practice window to return to action was opened in December, which seemed like a sign he was getting healthy enough to kick, but he was never put on the active roster.
Prater made all six of his field goals and all 10 of his extra points before that injury last season. His field-goal percentage was shakier in seasons before that, but he also had double-digit attempts from 50-plus yards out in three of four seasons from 2020 through 2023. He also had a league-best long make of 62 yards in 2023.
Prater is, of course, up in age, as he'll turn 41 on Aug. 10. But if he is healthy and wants a chance to keep kicking this year, the Vikings could be a team that eventually calls him. That they are a good team that plays indoors, along with three indoor road games this season, should also appeal to him at this stage of his career.