Will Reichard, the kicker for the Minnesota Vikings, received well-deserved recognition this past Saturday when he was named First Team All Pro by The Associated Press. This accolade comes after a remarkable season in which he solidified his status as one of the premier kickers in the NFL.
During the season, Reichard successfully converted 33 of 35 field goal attempts, with his only two misses occurring from distances over 50 yards. Additionally, he went a perfect 31 for 31 on extra point attempts. His performance made him the only kicker in the league this season to achieve at least 92% success on field goal attempts, while also maintaining a 100% rate on extra points, with a minimum of 30 field goal attempts.
Alongside Reichard, the Vikings also celebrated the achievements of veteran long snapper Andrew DePaola, who was named Second Team All Pro. This marks a historic milestone for the franchise, as it is the first time in team history that two specialists have received All Pro honors in the same season. DePaola has now earned All Pro recognition for four consecutive seasons, making him the only long snapper in NFL history to achieve this feat.
In previous years, DePaola was named First Team All Pro in 2022, Second Team All Pro in 2023, and First Team All Pro again in 2024. His consistent performance has been vital to the Vikings special teams unit.
Reichard”s recent accolades provide a sense of redemption after he was overlooked during the Pro Bowl selections last month. His exceptional kicking ability has not only contributed greatly to the Vikings” success but has also set a high standard for future kickers in the league.
As the Vikings continue to build their team for future seasons, the recognition of their specialists highlights the importance of all players on the roster, regardless of position. Reichard”s and DePaola”s achievements will undoubtedly be a point of pride for the organization and its fans.
