The Minnesota Vikings are adding a very decorated free agent (albeit at a less-heralded position).
Minnesota announced on Tuesday that they have agreed to sign veteran punter Johnny Hekker in free agency. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network adds that Hekker is getting a one-year contract from the Vikings.
The 36-year-old Hekker was long known as one of the best punters in the league, particularly during his time with the Los Angeles Rams (dating back to the franchise’s time in St. Louis). With the Rams, Hekker was a six-time All-Pro selection, a four-time Pro Bowler, and a two-time NFL punting yards leader.
Hekker was also a member of the Rams team that won Super Bowl LVI in the 2021 campaign, which ended up being his final season in Los Angeles too. In 2022, Hekker signed with the Carolina Panthers and spent three seasons there before playing out the 2025 campaign on a one-year contract with the Tennessee Titans.
Last season for the Titans, Hekker appeared in all 17 games as the first-stringer. He punted 78 total times for 3,653 yards (ranking second in the NFL) for an average of 46.8 yards per punt.
As for the Vikings, their starting punter last season was Ryan Wright, who has since signed with the New Orleans Saints in free agency. Now for 2026, Minnesota will be turning to Hekker, who has also developed quite the reputation for antics over the years.
