Johnny Hekker, Titans
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Punter Johnny Hekker, formerly of the Tennessee Titans.
The Minnesota Vikings rounded out their special teams unit on Tuesday by inking a former six-time All-Pro to the roster.
Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune reported on March 17 that Minnesota signed punter Johnny Hekker, most recently of the Tennessee Titans, to a short-term contract.
“The #Vikings have a new punter; they’re signing former [Los Angeles] Rams punter Johnny Hekker to a one-year deal,” Goessling wrote on X. “He’s the third former All-Pro in the Vikings’ special teams unit, joining Andrew DePaola and Will Reichard.”
DePaola, Minnesota’s long snapper, has been an All-Pro in each of the past four seasons. Reichard, the team’s placekicker, was an All-Pro in 2025 on the strength of 33-of-35 made field goals and 31-of-31 made extra point tries. The only two kicks Reichard missed last season were two of his 13 field goal attempts from 50-plus yards.
Hekker, who will play next season at age 36, earned all six of his All-Pro nods as a member of the Rams between 2013-18, spanning the franchise’s last three years in St. Louis and first three seasons back in L.A.
He left the Rams organization following the 2021 campaign and played three seasons for the Carolina Panthers before spending last year in Tennessee. Hekker is the NFL’s active leader in total punts (1,041) and punt yards (48,705). His career average is 46.8 yards per boot.
Hekker has earned more than $32.5 million over his 14-year career through 2025.
The author will update this post.