There’s a 3-Man Race in Vikings Camp
While everyone is (rightfully so) paying attention to the development of quarterback J.J. McCarthy, the returns of Will Fries and Christian Darrisaw, as well as the cornerback rotation, the best competition might be in the game’s third phase, at punt returner.
There’s a 3-Man Race in Vikings Camp
The Minnesota Vikings allowed punt returner Brandon Powell to walk in free agency. He has yet to find a new gig, showing that they might not have been wrong about that move. Now, however, the casting for his successor is in full swing.
In OTAs and training camp, various players are tried out at punt returner. Depth players undoubtedly want to compete for the job because it virtually guarantees a roster spot, and by winning, players who would otherwise be cut end up on the 53-man roster.
In Vikings camp, it’s become clear that the club will have a three-man competition for Powell’s vacated opening. One candidate is Rondale Moore, an experienced receiver in the NFL, whose injuries in his career have slowed him down throughout his rookie contract. The others are undrafted rookies Silas Bolden and Myles Price.
Barring any surprise moves, one of those three will return the first punt of the season when the Vikings face the Chicago Bears in September.
This week, special teams coordinator Matt Daniels said: “Rondale [Moore] hasn’t done [punt returning] since 2021, but it’s good to see, obviously he’s coming back from a major, major, major injury with the dislocated kneecap and the explosion is still there, the confidence is there, the ability to track and catch it is still there. Talk about a guy who can really press the perimeter of defenses and cover teams. I think he’s just gotta get back into the feel of things and we really gotta start trying to get him some live reps just in terms of the decision making.”
In that 2021 season, his rookie year, Moore returned 21 punts for 171 yards. He has one punt return in 2023. In college, the former Purdue standout added another 17 punt returns for a total of 118 yards to his resume.
That experience is crucial, as practice reps can only simulate so much. Tracking the ball and making a secure catch while the gunners are running at full speed is not an easy task. And then the run starts, with the goal to maneuver around the defenders and to get as many yards as possible, all while making sure to have a firm grip on the ball.
According to beat writer Matt Coller, Moore is challenged by two rookies. He wrote, “The other punt returners have been Silas Bolden and Myles Price, two undrafted free agents. It isn’t likely that we see the competition heat up until preseason.”
Bolden was immediately identified as a potential punt returner when he signed with the Vikings. He was the primary punt returner of last year’s Texas Longhorns, returning 30 punts for 315 yards and a touchdown. He also scored one of his only three returns at Oregon State. The Vikings list him at 5-8, 160 lbs. He’s a tiny but shifty player.
Price is 5-9, 183 lbs, which is still on the smaller side. He returned 42 punts in his college career at Texas Tech and Indiana for 585 yards and zero scores. The average is fantastic, though.
Until further notice, one of those three will be on the 53-man roster and return punts for the Minnesota Vikings. We might get to see some returns in the preseason.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.