After moving on from former All Pro, Minnesota Vikings announce kick returner
The new kick return rule will be fascinating to watch play out over the first few weeks of the National Football League season. We don't know how each team plans to handle the new rules and the Minnesota Vikings gave us some information on how they will handle it. After moving on from former second-team […]
The new kick return rule will be fascinating to watch play out over the first few weeks of the National Football League season. We don't know how each team plans to handle the new rules and the Minnesota Vikings gave us some information on how they will handle it.
After moving on from former second-team All-Pro kick returner Kene Nwangwu during final cuts last week, Vikings special teams coach Matt Daniels told the media they will be going into week one against the New York Giants with running back Ty Chandler handling kick return duties.
Daniels also said that wide receiver Brandon Powell has gotten some opportunities at kick returner. Nobody knows how this will play out with the rule being brand new this year and the preseason didn't show us a lot.
Chandler feels like a natural fit for the role and how it's projected to look. Many believe the kickoff will end up feeling like a wide zone play with running backs being the best fit for the spot because it's something they are incredibly used to. Chandler also has 99th percentile burst and speed to take advantage of any hole he's given.
Powell is an interesting player there as well. He has been a successful punt returner in the NFL, including a week 16 punt return touchdown against the Vikings in week 16 of 2021 when he was a member of the Los Angeles Rams. At the University of Florida, Powell returned both punts and kicks with success and even took some handoffs in the backfield.
The Vikings have a plan for week one, but it's worth keeping an eye out for any adjustments for week two.
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