Kicker Greg Joseph, who was an unrestricted free agent, will return for a third season after a hot-and-cold year in 2022.
There’s a Verdict on the Vikings Kicker
Joseph’s agent, Brett Tessler, announced the reunion on Twitter, with a little added kudos only an agent can deliver, “Congrats to my client Greg Joseph on his new deal with the Minnesota Vikings! Set the NFL record with 5 game-winning field goals last season including the club record 61-yard game winner against the Giants & 2 NFC special teams player of the week awards.”
Nov 24, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings place kicker Greg Joseph (1) warms up before the game against the New England Patriots at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.
Although the precise parameters of the deal were not immediately announced, the agreement reportedly includes a fully-guaranteed amount. That increases the likelihood of Joseph kicking for the Vikings in Week 1 of 2023, perhaps sans a summer battle as the Vikings have embraced in years past.
Barring setback, Joseph will become the first Vikings kicker since Blair Walsh (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016) to start three seasons consecutively (2021, 2022, 2023).
Dec 24, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings place kicker Greg Joseph (1) celebrates the win after the game against the New York Giants at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.
The South African was the ultimate sugar-and-spice Vikings commodity in 2022, dependable when it mattered and inconsistent on the whole. He was clutch and created oodles of Minnesota memories from September to January, racking up five game-winning field goals as mentioned by Tessler — you read that right: five — a chief component in actionizing the Vikings NFL-record-setting 11-0 record in games decided by one score or less. Minnesota’s kicker won five football games for the team notoriously snakebitten by kicker-related hijinks.
Dec 24, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings place kicker Greg Joseph (1) celebrates his game winning field goal after the game against the New York Giants at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.
But somehow, Joseph wasn’t very good outside of the fancy clutch kicks. It is hard to believe, but it is true. The man was flawless when it mattered the most but a ginormous question mark when a mundane extra point or field goal was on the agenda — bizarre, indeed.
Joseph ranked as follows in 2022 per critical metrics:
- Game-Winning Field Goals = 1st
- FG Conv % = 28th
- Extra Point Conv % = 31st
Dec 24, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings place kicker Greg Joseph (1) celebrates the win after the game against the New York Giants at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.
In the end for Joseph’s free agency, the Vikings chose “what they know” with Joseph, evidently banking on his clutch gene + trajectory for improvement in ordinary areas. And, to a degree, Vikings fans should applaud the decision. For 25 years, the mention of kickers is met with a grimace in Vikings social circles, chiefly because finding one who was clutch seemed unsolvable.
Joseph is cold-blooded, in a good way, and that’s apparently good enough for the team’s leadership.
He’ll turn 29 in August.