The Minnesota Vikings celebrated a thrilling 34-26 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night at AT&T Stadium, with kicker Will Reichard playing a pivotal role. In the closing moments of the game, Reichard confidently made a crucial field goal, solidifying his reputation as one of the most reliable kickers in the NFL.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell recognized Reichard’s contributions during the post-game locker room speech, stating, “This guy has ice in his veins,” before presenting him with a game ball. O’Connell’s words reflect the high expectations the team has for the young kicker, who was selected in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Reichard’s Consistency Under Pressure
Reichard has demonstrated remarkable consistency this season, converting 24 of 26 field goal attempts. His only misses occurred on longer attempts beyond 50 yards. “That was big time,” said special teams coordinator Matt Daniels, emphasizing Reichard’s performance in critical situations.
Reichard’s ability to deliver in high-pressure moments was particularly meaningful against Dallas, where he faced off against Brandon Aubrey, who many consider the best kicker in the league. Other notable kickers in the conversation include Cameron Dicker of the Chargers, Jason Myers from the Seahawks, and Harrison Butker of the Chiefs.
Despite being early in his career, Reichard’s consistent performance places him in serious contention for the title of the league’s top kicker. His reliability has impressed opposing special teams coaches, with Daniels noting that their first comments often affirm, “You’ve got the right guy.”
Overcoming Challenges and Setbacks
Reichard began his NFL journey with a strong start, going months without missing a kick. However, a quad injury impacted his consistency last season, leaving some room for criticism. This year, he has bounced back, showing minimal signs of struggle aside from a couple of unusual misses. One was a 51-yard attempt that went wide right against the Browns, which some claimed hit an overhead wire. The other was a 53-yard kick that fell short due to a rushed operation against the Chargers.
Notably, Reichard has been flawless on kicks within 50 yards, and he boasts an impressive record of 9 of 11 on attempts from 50 yards and beyond. The only kicker with more successful field goals from that range is Chase McLaughlin of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
When asked about the title of the best kicker in the NFL, Daniels smiled, acknowledging his bias. “You can throw Will’s name right there at the top,” he stated confidently, reflecting the sentiment among the Vikings’ coaching staff regarding Reichard’s potential.
As the season progresses, fans and analysts alike will be closely watching Will Reichard’s performance, eager to see if he can continue to elevate his game and solidify his place among the NFL’s elite kickers.
