The Minnesota Vikings quietly found a solution to their biggest offseason problem right before the start of the season — and to their credit, they absolutely nailed it.
Using an undrafted rookie as your main kickoff and punt returner is risky business in the NFL, but Myles Price performed like a seasoned vet over the balance of Minnesota's first eight games of 2025.
Sunday’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens was an unfortunate setback for the former Indiana Hoosiers standout, however.
Price picked up 153 yards on six kickoff returns, flashing the game-breaking ability that’s made him one of the NFL’s best all-around specialists this year. But he also fumbled on back-to-back kickoff returns in the third quarter, losing one that led to a Ravens touchdown to open up a two-score lead
Price’s second fumble might’ve effectively ended the game, had tight end Ben Yurosek not miraculously come up with the football under a giant mass of humanity.
In the end, the Vikings lost a tough one at home, and Price’s brutal third quarter could force some tough discussions internally going forward.
Myles Price’s job as the Minnesota Vikings main returner could disappear with another fumble
Price hurt the Vikings more than he helped them on Sunday.
It’s also way too early to bench a young player who’s been a value-add over the balance of the season.
Price’s fumbles were only his second and third of the year on 56 total attempts (including punts). He entered the week ranked top 10 in the NFL both in net kickoff and punt return yardage.
To his credit, he bounced back in the fourth quarter on Sunday with a 26-yard return out to about the 30-yard line; he later added a 12-yard punt return that was negated by a holding penalty.
The Vikings stuck with their guy down the stretch — probably because they don’t have many other options to turn to.
Tai Felton has handled five kickoffs this year, but none since the Eagles game in Week 7. He’s also a rookie who lost a fumble of his own on a kick return during the preseason.
With Ty Chandler still on injured reserve, the Vikings don’t have many other viable options outside of cornerback Isaiah Rodgers, who has some experience with returns but is obviously too valuable on defense to risk a freak injury on special teams.
This is Price’s job, at least until his fumbles become more of a prolonged issue. He hadn’t put the ball on the ground since Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons, and while his willingness to battle for every yard is easy to like as a fan, Kevin O’Connell and company are more likely to coach him up than bench him entering Week 11.