Vikings Undrafted Rookie Could Force a Summer Surprise

TL;DR

The Minnesota Vikings signed undrafted rookie punter Brett Thorson, who could compete for the starting job against veteran Johnny Hekker. Thorson, recognized as the best punter in the nation, brings a mix of power and finesse to the team.

Key points

Brett Thorson signed as an undrafted free agent
He was recognized as the nation's best punter
Thorson could compete with Johnny Hekker for the starting punter position
Ryan Wright left the Vikings for the New Orleans Saints
Thorson has a mix of power and finesse in his punting

Minnesota VikingsNew Orleans Saints

Brett Davis-Imagn Images When free agency opened, the most notable name the Minnesota Vikings lost was wide receiver Jalen Nailor. They never intended to keep him at an inflated contract to be their third wide receiver, but he did well in his deal from Las Vegas.

Brett Thorson Brings Legitimate Competition to Vikings Punter Room

Potentially getting lost in the shuffle from Nailor moving teams was punter Ryan Wright flying the coop as well. He left Minnesota for greener pastures with the New Orleans Saints. While his career traditionally bounced between good and bad years, he was coming off a season in which the Vikings would have liked to keep him.

Georgia punter Brett Thorson in 2022. Vikings undrafted rookie.

Georgia punter Brett Thorson (99) punts the ball away during the G-Day spring football game in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, April 16, 2022. The black team won 26-23. News Joshua L Jones. © Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK. They pivoted and landed on veteran punter Johnny Hekker. However, Hekker has been trending down for some time now, and he is very clearly at the end of the line. It would have been a shock to see the Vikings use a draft pick on a punter. Despite grabbing with a late-round pick, he has the utility of being a kicker. However, Brett Thorson came into The Draft as the nation’s best punter, and Minnesota was clearly enamored. They didn’t need to use a draft pick on him, and wound up getting him anyway. Signed as , the Georgia Bulldog racked up accolades in the SEC. He now comes to what will be a punting competition in Minnesota, but even with Hekker’s presence, it’s one he could very well win. Feb 25, 2026; , IN, USA; Brett Thorson of Georgia punts the ball during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Thorson can boom the football, but he’s also more than capable of using finesse. Pinning punts inside the 20-yard line, or offering up enough hang time for the coverage unit to get down the field, are both in his toolbox as well. More often than not, NFL teams cycle through kickers and punters. Veterans stick around forever and rarely find tenure with teams. Reichard looks the part of a kicker like that for the Vikings, and Thorson replicating it as a punter would be a lot of fun.

Q&A

Who is Brett Thorson and why is he significant for the Vikings?

Brett Thorson is an undrafted rookie punter signed by the Minnesota Vikings, known for being the nation's best punter, and he could challenge veteran Johnny Hekker for the starting position.

What happened to the Vikings' previous punter Ryan Wright?

Ryan Wright left the Minnesota Vikings to join the New Orleans Saints after a season where his performance was inconsistent.

How does Brett Thorson's punting style benefit the Vikings?

Brett Thorson combines powerful kicks with finesse, allowing him to pin opponents inside the 20-yard line and provide hang time for coverage units.