Inside The Vikings

Can Vikings Punter Ryan Wright Bounce Back From Sophomore Slump?

Wright's job is not guaranteed as he heads into his third season.
Will Ragatz|
Sep 10, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings punter Ryan Wright (14) punts the ball during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Sep 10, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings punter Ryan Wright (14) punts the ball during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at U.S. Bank Stadium. | Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

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Vikings punter Ryan Wright was outstanding as an undrafted rookie in 2022. He beat out veteran Jordan Berry for the job in training camp and didn't look back, putting together a strong season. Wright finished seventh out of 28 punters (minimum 50 punts) in net average. He was seventh in average hangtime and had just one touchback all year on 73 punts. Wright's season included a ten-punt game against the Dolphins where had a 73-yard punt and won NFC special teams player of the week honors.

2023 was a different story. Wright's net average dropped by over a full yard, his percentage of punts inside the 20 fell, and he had seven touchbacks on 59 punts. It was, to use his special teams coordinator's own words, a sophomore slump.

"After you come off the rookie year that he had, either you're going to continue to accelerate on the path that you're on or you're going to have what's considered to be a sophomore slump," Matt Daniels said. "And I would consider the performance that he had last year as somewhat of a sophomore slump. The highest touchback percentage in the league, whereas in year one, he led the league in lowest touchback percentage. Some good conversations have been had (about how he can bounce back)."

The Vikings have made it clear, through their actions, that Wright will have to earn the job in 2024. They signed Seth Vernon, a punter from Portland State with a big leg, to provide competition throughout OTAs and into training camp. Vernon, who was previously with the Falcons, was booming punts near the ceiling of the Vikings' indoor practice facility during Tuesday's OTA that was open to media members. It'll be interesting to see if Wright — who looks a bit slimmed-down this year — can hold off his competition and keep the job for a third season.

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Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI, who also covers the Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, and other Minnesota teams. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

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