Fansided

9 free agent kickers the Vikings can replace Dan Bailey with

By Josh Hill

Dec 13, 2020; Tampa, Florida, USA; Minnesota Vikings kicker Dan Bailey (5) react after a missed field goal against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2020; Tampa, Florida, USA; Minnesota Vikings kicker Dan Bailey (5) react after a missed field goal against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Dan Bailey has seemingly forgotten how to kick, but what are the Vikings options in the free agent kicking market? 

After missing four kicks on Sunday and upping his season-total to 10 missed kicks, Dan Bailey might soon be out of a job. The Vikings kicker missed every single on of his attempts in Week 14 against the Buccaneers and left 10 critical points on the field in a game his team lost 26-14.

Bailey started his day missing an extra point and ended it by missing a field goal that would have brought Minnesota within a score. Rather than spark yet another comeback this year, Bailey smothered it with his inaccuracy and now fans have had enough.

Replacing Bailey seems like a no-brainer, especially considering the Vikings playoff hopes are not yet dead. If Minnesota makes the playoffs, how is Mike Zimmer supposed to trust the leg of a guy who dropped his field goal percentage by double digits in a single game?

If the Vikings want to replace Bailey there are free agent options available. They are, however, the exact opposite of the Dirty Dozen and more like Cheaper By The Dozen. Aside from name credibility, no one is strutting into the Vikings facilities and immediately presenting a better alternative to Bailey, no matter how badly he’s played this season.

Free agent kickers Vikings can call in for a tryout

Prepare yourself, because this is truly scraping the bottom of the barrel:

  • Stephen Hauschka
  • Chase McLaughlin
  • Samuel Sloman
  • Elliott Fry
  • Chandler Catanzaro
  • Brett Maher
  • Matthew McCrane

If those names don’t light anyone on fire, the Vikings could toss up a Hail Mary and look at some Old Guys who aren’t kicking but haven’t officially retired.

  • Adam Vinatieri
  • Matt Bryant

None of this will make a Vikings fan feel any better. Zimmer’s entire tenure might be bookended by kicker woes, with the infamous Blair Walsh miss defining his early years and Dan Bailey hammering a new nail into the Vikings coffin with each swing and a miss.

Home/NFL