Vikings Add Veteran Punter Famous for ‘Banana Punt’ Technique
The Minnesota Vikings have secured a replacement for Ryan Wright, signing experienced punter Johnny Hekker to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal have not been revealed.
At 36 years old and heading into his 15th NFL season, Hekker remains one of the league’s most accomplished punters. He spent the 2025 season with the Tennessee Titans, following earlier stints with the Carolina Panthers (2022–2024) and the Los Angeles Rams (2012–2021).
Hekker was part of the Rams team that won the Super Bowl during the 2021–22 season, when Kevin O’Connell—now the Vikings’ head coach—served as offensive coordinator.
Despite his age, Hekker continues to perform at a high level. In 2025, he averaged 46.8 yards per punt, matching his career mark, though his net average of 40.3 yards was slightly below his career average of 42.7. He recorded seven touchbacks out of 78 punts, the highest single-season total of his career.
Over the years, Hekker has built an impressive résumé. He earned First-Team All-Pro honors four times (2013, 2015, 2016, 2017) and Second-Team recognition twice (2014, 2018), along with multiple Pro Bowl selections.
Meanwhile, Wright—who recently signed a four-year, $14 million deal with the New Orleans Saints—had a strong 2025 season with Minnesota, averaging 49.0 yards per punt and placing 25 kicks inside the 20-yard line.
Beyond his punting ability, Hekker is known for his effectiveness on trick plays, frequently completing passes on fake punts. He’s also famous for his signature “banana punt,” a technique where he drops the ball at an angle to create a curved trajectory in the air.
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