Minnesota Vikings Land Their New Punter

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Johnny Hecker - Tennessee Titans
Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Outside of retaining many of their own free agents and re-working deals with potential cap casualties, the Minnesota Vikings have been rather quiet during the first week of NFL free agency.

Heading into Tuesday, the Vikings had signed just two outside free agents, CB James Pierre and QB Kyler Murray. Then this evening they signed Buffalo Bills restricted free agent Ryan Van Demark to an offer sheet worth a reported $4.2 million guaranteed.

Minnesota Vikings sign new punter

Rob Brzezinski & Co. weren’t done after the pending Van Demark deal was announced. About an hour later, news broke that the MN Vikings had also signed their new punter, 36-year-old veteran Johnny Hekker. He will replace Ryan Wright — who left via free agency last week..

Hekker has been in the NFL for 14 seasons. The MN Vikings will be his fourth NFL team. Without a doubt, Hekker comes in as one of the more decorated punters in franchise history, having made four pro bowls and four All-Pro 1st teams, though his last time earning both honors was 2017.

In fact, the numbers say Johnny Hekker is clearly on his career decline. He hasn’t kicked over 47 yards on average since 2022. Prior to that, it had been since 2019.

To make matters worse, the Titans punt unit allowed 370 total return yards in 2025 — by far the most of Hekker’s career. He also punted 7 touchbacks — another career worst.

Johnny Hekker can pass too

Obviously, the Vikings are hoping that playing for a team with playoff aspirations will result in Johnny Hekker turning back the clock. But even if he isn’t the punter he once was, the Oregon State alum will provide Minnesota fake punt opportunities that other teams do not have.

Related: Former Vikings RB Lands Job w/Saints

Over the course of his career, Johnny Hekker has never finished any of his 14 NFL seasons without attempting at least one pass attempt via fake punt. He is 15 of 26 for 193 yards, 12 first downs and 1 touchdown.

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