Vikings WR Returns on 1-Year Deal
Josh Frey
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The Vikings have managed to retain another one of their own players.
After re-signing both Blake Brandel and David Quessenberry on Monday, the Vikings have now agreed to terms on a new one-year deal with WR Brandon Powell, meaning the 28-year-old receiver will help fill in the depth behind Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson.
Vikings WR Returns
Adam Schefter of ESPN reported the signing for the Vikings, tweeting, “Free-agent WR Brandon Powell is returning to the Vikings on a one-year deal, per source.”
After going undrafted in 2018, Powell bounced around the league for the first few seasons of his NFL career, spending time with the Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons before catching on with the Los Angeles Rams (and Kevin O’Connell) during the 2021 season.
During that Super Bowl season in Los Angeles, he appeared in just six games during the regular season, and he didn’t record any receptions. However, he did return six punts for a total of 133 yards, including a 61-yard punt return touchdown against, you guessed it, the Minnesota Vikings.
Following the 2022 season, Powell decided to reunite with O’Connell in Minnesota, and he proved to be a vital piece of the Vikings roster throughout the year. Not only did he record career-highs in receptions (29) and receiving yards (324) while putting up a crucial touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons, but he also handled the punt return duties for the team.
Powell led the league with 37 punt returns for 289 yards, an average of 7.8 yards per return. The Vikings have struggled to find a consistent player in that area over the past few seasons, but Powell has been a productive player and should remain in that role this season.
With K.J. Osborn also on the open market, Powell’s return is crucial for the Vikings as they try to fill their wide receiver depth. Before the veteran re-signed, only Jalen Nailor and Trishton Jackson remained as depth options behind Addison and Jefferson who recorded receptions during the 2023 season.
In total, Powell has recorded 76 receptions for 678 yards and three touchdowns over 61 games in the NFL. The receiver will turn 29 years old on September 12th.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Reference.
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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.