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Unlikely Position Battle Emerges for Final MN Vikings Preseason Game
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- Unlikely Position Battle Emerges for Final MN Vikings Preseason Game
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Vikings wrap up their exhibition slate on Friday night against the Tennessee Titans. Kevin O'Connell's team won't roll out many names that should contribute regularly on Sunday's throughout the season.
That said, it doesn't mean there won't be plenty to keep an eye on. Sam Howell has looked horrible as a backup quarterback option, and Max Brosmer has looked anything but . We don't know if that will be enough to elevate him to QB2 status, but he can make a final mark in Nashville.
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When it comes to starting roles though, it's the specialists that should draw your eyes . Return duties are still up in the air, and punter Oscar Chapman is looking to unseat veteran Ryan Wright.
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Oscar Chapman coming for Minnesota Vikings punter role
Ryan Wright has been the MN Vikings punter for each of the past three seasons. After a standout rookie campaign he has taken steps backwards the past two seasons. Oscar Chapman went undrafted out of Auburn, but he's looking to stick on the final 53-man roster. The Athletic's Alec Lewis sees a real possibility that it could.
Can Chapman steal the spot from Wright? How he looks Friday night might answer that question. Wright has not had an exceptional training camp. That would be a minuscule data point, but he is emerging from two lackluster seasons.
Chapman, an undrafted signing from Australia by way of Auburn, hasn't blown the doors off the place, either. He has, though, earned kicker Will Reichard's trust as a holder. Put on a nice display, and the Vikings may have a new punter for the first time since 2021.
As a rookie Wright had a touchback rate of just 1.4% . It then ballooned to 11.9% and was still at 8.9% last season. He has a big leg, but the field position game is something that Wright hasn't had dialed in since his first season in the league.
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Chapman punted for five seasons with Auburn. His career average was 43.5 yards per punt , and in the SEC, he clearly handled some hostile environments. The NFL is a new beast entirely, but developing a cohesion with kicker Will Reichard was always going to be a smart move.
The #Vikings are signing former Auburn P Oscar Chapman. Here is a clip of him BOOMING a 74 yard punt: pic.twitter.com/kzrCA3JHss
— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) April 26, 2025
Minnesota leaning into Chapman's abilities as a holder may get him on the roster. If he can elevate Reichard's game too, that would be a bonus. Minnesota used a sixth round pick on the former Alabama kicker last season. In 13 games as a rookie , Reichard hit 80% of his field goals and was good from 58 yards out.
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The Vikings haven't had a substantially-tenured punter since Chris Kluwe held down the role for eight seasons from 2005-2012 . Wright was already tested last training camp when the team brought in Seth Vernon to compete with him. Chapman repeats the practice, but may actually have the upper hand.
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Kevin O'Connell won't be watching J.J. McCarthy on Friday night against the Tennessee Titans . He, and special teams coach Matt Daniels, should be locked in on Chapman though.
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