It's important not to overreact to anything that happens during training camp, good or bad, as kinks get worked out and the full context of what's being worked on can't necessarily be known. But there is one position Minnesota Vikings fans will always cast a sideways glance at when someone struggles, and based on history in some big moments, it's hard to blame them.
Will Reichard was regarded as one of the best kickers in the 2024 draft class, and the Vikings took him in the sixth round (No. 203 overall) with the idea they'd have a viable long-term solution at the position for the first time since....
Reichard started his career going a perfect 14-for-14 on field goals, including 4-for-4 from 50-plus yards out. Then he missed both of his field goal attempts in Week 9 against the Indianapolis Colts, and he missed the following four games with a quad injury.
After he returned to action, Reichard went 10-for-14 on field goals over the final five games of the regular season (5-for-8 over the final two games).
Back in June, Vikings special teams coach Matt Daniels acknowledged how Reichard may have been overworked during his rookie season.
"Me as a coach, really having a rookie kicker last year, a guy who played into the college playoffs, went to the Senior Bowl, went to The Combine, and then he had a Pro Day. You really looked at, I mean, this guy basically played eleven straight months of football without a break", Daniels said.
"Obviously, he ended up having the quad injury that took place, right around the middle of the season, and that was probably due to over-kicking. Overexertion, really.”
There's something to what Daniels said, but it would also apply to any rookie who played deep into his final college season. In any case, the quad injury was a clear turning point in Reichard's rookie season. An offseason to clear any lingering mental impact of the injury was going to be good for him.
Minnesota Vikings' recurring nightmare is coming back in training camp
The general accounting from reporters on the ground at Vikings' training camp thus far is that Reichard has had some struggles. Again, that has to be kept in the proper context. If those struggles carry into preseason games, in that slightly more important setting, then concern will naturally ramp up.
In general, the Vikings' practice on Saturday was a good session with a lot of positives (and a fight). But Will Ragatz of SI.com had this in his notes from the day.
"Will Reichard missed twice from inside 40 yards to end practice. Both went wide left. It hasn't been a very sharp camp for the Vikings' second-year kicker."
Alec Lewis of The Athletic had the same accounting of Reichard's day.
Will Reichard kicked again today. Went 3-5, but missed from inside the 40 twice. Both missed wide of left upright.
— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) August 2, 2025
It's not clear if the Vikings have tried anything new in their placekicking operation. Andrew DePaola remains the long snapper, and punter Ryan Wright will be the holder unless/until shown otherwise. But Wright is facing competition from rookie Oscar Chapman, and it seems Chapman has been getting some reps as the holder (h/t to Warren Ludford of The Daily Norseman) in case he wins the punting gig.
The reasons for a kicker's struggles can go to just about anywhere, mentally or physically, and Reichard has time to get back on track before the season starts. But his training camp so far has been an extension of his downturn late last season, and any talk of kicking problems naturally opens up an old wound for Vikings fans.