Vikings sign a new running back/kick returner, end kicking competition

The Vikings have signed running back Aaron Dykes and waived kicker Jack Podlesny, the team announced on Thursday morning.

The more notable part of that roster move is that it means Minnesota's kicking competition is over. Greg Joseph will retain his job as the starting kicker, coming off an up-and-down 2022 season where he hit an NFL-record five game-winning field goals but also led the league with 13 total missed kicks. The veteran with a big leg will look to dial in his accuracy this season.

Podlesny was signed as an undrafted rookie out of Georgia. He has big-game experience and solid accuracy, but his ability to make long-distance kicks was always a question mark compared to Joseph. Just three weeks ago, Vikings special teams coordinator Matt Daniels declared this to be a kicking competition. It's now over. Joseph hit a 54-yard field goal in last week's preseason opener and has generally been more consistent in training camp.

Dykes, 23, had a standout five-year career at FCS Richmond as a running back and kick returner. According to the school, he ranks "second all time among Spiders in all-purpose yards with 4,521 via 1,969 rushing yards, 750 receiving yards and 1,802 kick return yards." A 5'11", 202-pound Tennessee native, Dykes had 27 career touchdowns (16 rushing, 8 receiving, and 3 on kick returns). 

Vikings RB/KR Kene Nwangwu's injury has lasted longer than anticipated, so Dykes gives them another option to evaluate at those positions. He joins Alexander Mattison, Ty Chandler, Nwangwu, DeWayne McBride, and Abram Smith in the RB room. Dykes could get some looks at kick returner along with McBride and Jacob Copeland while Nwangwu is out.