Rookie Punter Could Still Land Back with MN Vikings

On Monday the Minnesota Vikings ended their punter competition when they waived undrafted free agent rookie Oscar Chapman, and as a result, committed to a fourth season with Ryan Wright.

While Wright has left plenty to be desired, during his first three years as MN Vikings punter and even during 2025 training camp and preseason, he continues to hang on for his NFL life. Since his competition was cut on Monday, however, reporters have revealed more details behind the Vikings’ thinking.

Oscar Chapman still has a path to Minnesota Vikings practice squad

After kicking for the Auburn Tigers for five seasons, Chapman signed with the Minnesota Vikings, with the hope that he’d be able to unseat Wright, who the Vikings have been (not-so-quietly) been interested in replacing.

Unfortunately, a botched field goal hold in the Vikings’ final preseason game cost him that opportunity. According to the Star Tribune’s Emily Leiker, though, if the Aussie right-footed punter passes through waivers, he’ll be back at TCO Performance Center in short order.

As long as Chapman clears waivers and is not signed by another team, the Vikings are likely to add him to the practice squad, where he would have a designated spot as a part of the International Player Pathway program.

Emily Leiker – Star Tribune

Going into Friday’s preseason game, the Minnesota Vikings made it very clear, in their deployment of Chapman and Wright alone, what each punter needed to prove. The UDFA — who’s biggest issue at camp has been consistency catching and holding footballs for Will Reichard during field goals — was the holder.

How Chapman lost Vikings punter battle to Ryan Wright

The incumbent veteran, who had a bounceback 2024 season — 73.1 PFF grade, 6.8 YPR, 28 punts downed inside the 20 yd line — has struggled to coffin teams inside the 10 yard line and consistently flip the field, since his impressive rookie year. didn’t punt during the game and instead just had holder duties.

Wright didn’t steal the special teams show against the Titans, but he did down two balls inside the 20 yard line. Unfortunately for Chapman, he bobbled a snap that Reichard ultimately kicked wide-left, the sophomore placekicker’s only miss of the preseason. Here’s the bobble that sealed the rookie’s fate.

The hold by Oscar Chapman 😬 pic.twitter.com/lr0TZSXZlD

— Sean Borman (@SeanBormanNFL) August 23, 2025

There doesn’t appear to be much concern about whether Chapman can punt. He has a big leg and interesting style that makes it difficult for returners to settle under the balls he kicks. But in order to succeed as a punter with the Minnesota Vikings, he needs to hone his holding skills.

Related: Minnesota Vikings End Special Teams Competition

Should he clear waivers, Chapman would be able to come back to the Vikings, as a member of the practice squad. Because he is from Australia, Minnesota would be able to use their international player exemption so that he does not use up one of 16 practice squad spots allowed for each NFL team.

After Tuesday’s 53-man roster cut down (3 p.m. CDT today), we’ll have a much better indication of whether or not Chapman impressed enough to make another team’s active roster, or if the MN Vikings will get a chance to develop him further in Eagan.