Vikings Reach Verdict on Punter
Dustin Baker
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Punter transactions are not rim-rocking affairs, but the Minnesota Vikings reached a verdict on 2021 punter Jordan Berry on Wednesday.
Berry, who turns 31 in two days, will return to the Vikings for at least one more season.
Before the 2021 season, Minnesota unexpectedly cut punter Britton Colquitt, seeking to improve at the position after the Pittsburgh Steelers released the aforementioned Berry.
Last season, Berry ranked as the NFL’s 16th-best punter per net average, gaining the Vikings 46.5 yards of field position on punts. He also boomed 26 kicks inside opponents’ 20-yard lines, the eighth-most in the NFL.
The retention of Berry occurs when the Vikings are making other free-agent acquisitions as well. In the last two days, Minnesota welcomed defensive tackle Harrison Phillips and linebacker Jordan Hicks to the depth chart. More moves are expected once the Vikings clear additional cap space.
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”973315″ player=”26281″ title=”WATCH%20Indianapolis%20Colts%20could%20turn%20to%20Marcus%20Mariota%20in%202022″ duration=”103″ description=”Now that the Indianapolis Colts have been able to shed the salary of Carson Wentz, they’re on the hunt for his replacement, which could reportedly lead them to Marcus Mariota.We’ve already seen two starting quarterbacks traded this offseason and some think their best option to improve at the position is by getting right back into the trade market. However, a recent report suggests they may hold onto their trade capital, by pursuing Mariota in free agency.” uploaddate=”2022-03-15″ thumbnailurl=”undefined” contentUrl=”https://cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/streaming/973238/973238.m3u8″]
Earlier in the week, new general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah placed a $2.43 tender on kicker Greg Joseph, all but locking him in for 2022 duty. The Berry and Joseph re-signings ensure the Vikings are set, for now, via special teams (kicking) in 2022.
The financial terms of Berry’s deal were not immediately available.
All Vikings free-agent moves can be followed here.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. His YouTube Channel, VikesNow, debuts in March 2022. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
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