Vikings veteran punter and four-time All-Pro entering his 15th NFL season.
Johnny Hekker is one of the most decorated punters in NFL history. Four first-team All-Pros, four Pro Bowls, Super Bowl LIII appearance with the Rams. He signed with Minnesota in 2024 to mentor younger specialists, and the 2025 season produced his career-best directional accuracy at age 35.
Path to the league
Oregon State product who went undrafted in 2012. Spent 10 seasons with the Rams and Cardinals before signing with Minnesota in 2024.
Career highlights
4x First-team All-Pro. 4x Pro Bowl. NFL career punts inside the 20 leader (250+). Super Bowl LIII appearance. 15 NFL seasons.
2026 outlook
Continues as Vikings' punter. Has hinted that 2026 will be his final season. The Vikings have already drafted a replacement (Joe Doyle) as a sixth-rounder for succession planning.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Johnny Hekker
- Pro Football Reference: Johnny Hekker
Statistics
2025 season and career2025 Season · Punting
17 games played▶Punting · career
| Year | Team | GP | PUNTS | YDS | AVG | LNG | IN20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | titans | 17 | 78 | 3,653 | 46.8 | 65 | 22 |
| 2024 | panthers | 17 | 73 | 3,338 | 45.7 | 65 | 24 |
| 2023 | panthers | 17 | 82 | 3,838 | 46.8 | 69 | 25 |
| 2022 | panthers | 17 | 81 | 3,925 | 48.5 | 68 | 39 |
| 2021 | rams | 17 | 51 | 2,252 | 44.2 | 59 | 23 |
| 2020 | rams | 16 | 68 | 3,099 | 45.6 | 63 | 28 |
| 2019 | rams | 16 | 66 | 3,128 | 47.4 | 71 | 22 |
| 2018 | rams | 16 | 43 | 1,992 | 46.3 | 68 | 21 |
| 2017 | rams | 16 | 65 | 3,113 | 47.9 | 70 | 30 |
| 2016 | rams | 16 | 98 | 4,680 | 47.8 | 78 | 51 |
| 2015 | rams | 16 | 96 | 4,601 | 47.9 | 68 | 41 |
| 2014 | rams | 16 | 80 | 3,721 | 46.5 | 61 | 33 |
| 2013 | rams | 16 | 78 | 3,609 | 46.3 | 64 | 19 |
| 2012 | rams | 16 | 82 | 3,756 | 45.8 | 68 | 22 |
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Punter
- Group
- specialTeam
- College
- Oregon State
- Hometown
- Bothell, WA, USA
- Age
- 36
- Status
- active
Team
