If there’s one thing the Minnesota Vikings made clear all throughout the offseason, it’s that this organization isn’t afraid to make changes, even if that means firing the general manager who was just signed to a contract extension in the previous year. New Vikings GM Nolan Teasley has only been on the job since May 30, and there’s really no way to know what to expect as he sets his first 53-man roster in Minnesota.
Yet, he’s already made one fairly significant decision on the NFL’s roster cutdown day.
Minnesota Vikings Release Johnny Hekker, Make Brett Thorson The PunterFeb 25, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Brett Thorson of Georgia punts the ball during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesOne of the decisions the Vikings made before Teasley came on board was letting punter Ryan Wright sign with the New Orleans Saints on a four-year, $14 million contract. The Vikings responded by bringing in four-time First-Team All-Pro Johnny Hekker, who inked a one-year, $1.48 million contract.
Yet, according to The Athletic‘s Vikings insider Alec Lewis, the Vikings will be releasing the 36-year-old as part of their roster cutdowns. That means undrafted rookie Brett Thorson has won the Vikings’ punter job.
Thorson signed a three-year, $3.11 million contract with the Vikings after going unselected in April’s 2026 NFL Draft. The 26-year-old Aussie punter won the Ray Guy Award in 2025 at Georgia (nation’s best punter). Now, he’ll be punting for the Vikings while also serving as Will Reichard’s holder for extra points and field goals.
Surprisingly, Thorson is just five months younger than Wright, but he’s also much less expensive. Wright will be making roughly $3.5 million per season, whereas Thorson will earn roughly $1 million per year. The crazy part is, the Vikings believe Thorson can actually be better than Wright was, but there could also be some early growing pains and shaky moments for the rookie.
Either way, now he’ll get a chance to show what he can do playing in the climate-controlled confines of U.S. Bank Stadium.
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