Vikings Sign Punter Johnny Hekker to One-Year Deal

The Minnesota Vikings have signed veteran punter Johnny Hekker to a one-year contract, bolstering their special teams unit ahead of the 2026 NFL season. The 36-year-old Hekker, a four-time All-Pro, agreed to terms on Tuesday in Eagan, Minnesota, marking the start of his 15th year in the league.

Hekker joins the Vikings as a replacement for Ryan Wright, who departed in free agency to sign with the New Orleans Saints. Last season, Wright handled punting duties for Minnesota, but the team sought an upgrade with Hekker's proven track record. Hekker appeared in all 17 games for the Tennessee Titans in 2025, punting 78 times for 3,653 yards with a gross average of 46.8 yards per attempt, which tied his career high. His net average that year was 40.3 yards, the third-lowest of his career, though he ranked second in the NFL for gross punting average.

A native of Oregon State University, Hekker entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the St. Louis Rams in 2012. He spent his first 10 seasons with the franchise, which relocated to Los Angeles in 2016, earning acclaim as one of the league's elite punters. During that stretch, he set a then-league record in 2016 with a net average of...