The Minnesota Vikings secured a thrilling 34-26 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night at AT&T Stadium, with kicker Will Reichard delivering a pivotal performance. As the clock wound down, Reichard confidently stepped onto the field and executed a crucial field goal that sealed the win. Head coach Kevin O’Connell praised Reichard’s composure, stating, “This guy has ice in his veins,” before presenting him with a game ball in the locker room celebration.
Reichard’s clutch kick exemplified the reliability that special teams coordinator Matt Daniels has come to expect from the young kicker. Drafted in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Reichard has quickly made a name for himself, converting 24 of 26 field goals this season, with both misses occurring from beyond 50 yards. Daniels remarked, “That was big time. That guy continues to be a monster for us.”
The significance of the moment was not lost on Reichard, especially considering he was competing against Brandon Aubrey, a kicker often regarded among the best in the league. This matchup heightened the stakes, placing Reichard firmly in the conversation about the NFL’s elite kickers alongside names like Cameron Dicker, Jason Myers, and Harrison Butker.
Despite being in the early stages of his career, Reichard has demonstrated remarkable performance under pressure. He has yet to miss an extra point since entering the NFL, a statistic that reinforces his standing. Daniels noted that opposing special teams coordinators often express admiration for Reichard’s abilities, indicating their recognition of his talent.
Reichard’s journey began with an impressive start, where he went months without missing a kick until a quad injury hindered his performance last season. Critics were quick to question his consistency following that setback, yet he has silenced doubts this year with a near-perfect record.
His only notable misses have been somewhat controversial. He had a 51-yard attempt against the Cleveland Browns that many believed hit an overhanging wire, and a 53-yard attempt against the Los Angeles Chargers was affected by a rushed operation due to time constraints before halftime. Nevertheless, he remains flawless on kicks within 50 yards and is 9 of 11 on attempts from 50 yards and beyond, placing him second in the NFL for the most successful long-range kicks, behind only Chase McLaughlin of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
When asked about who deserves the title of the best kicker in the NFL, Daniels smiled and acknowledged his bias, suggesting that Reichard’s name should be mentioned among the top contenders.
As the Vikings continue their season, Reichard’s contributions will be critical in their pursuit of success. With his track record and the confidence of his coaching staff, fans will be watching closely to see if he can solidify his place among the NFL’s elite kickers.
