2026 Vikings Training Camp: Focus on Specialist Roles

WHO:

detroitlions.com - Special teams coordinator Dave Fipp mentioned that Greg Dortch has returned 92 punts over the last four seasons, averaging better than 9.0 yards per return.

vikings.com - P Ryan Wright signed with the New Orleans Saints.

vikings.com - Specialists for the Minnesota Vikings include LS Andrew DePaola, K Will Reichard, KR/PR Myles Price, veteran P Johnny Hekker, and UDFA P Brett Thorson.

bengals.com - Cincinnati Bengals specialists include K Evan McPherson, P Ryan Rehkow, and long snapper William Wagner.

WHAT:

bengals.com - Evan McPherson played all 17 games in 2025 after missing the last five games of 2024 with a right groin injury.

bengals.com - McPherson hit 25 of 28 field goals and 41 of 44 extra points in the previous season, including a Bengals record 63-yard field goal.

bengals.com - Ryan Rehkow has played in all 34 games since signing with the team as a free agent in July of 2024.

bengals.com - Rehkow set the team record for single-season gross average in 2025 with 50.54 yards per punt and ranked second in the NFL.

bengals.com - William Wagner won the long-snapping competition in the 2025 offseason, beating out Cal Adomitis for the starting job.

detroitlions.com - The Lions signed veteran wide receiver Greg Dortch in free agency to potentially fill the role of primary punt returner.

detroitlions.com - Jack Fox had the highest gross (48.4) and net (43.1) punting average in team history and ranked seventh in the NFL last season pinning opponents inside their 20-yard line.

detroitlions.com - Bates saw his field goal make percentage drop from 89.7 percent in 2024 to 79.4 percent in 2025.

detroitlions.com - The Detroit Lions finished 13th in the annual Sports Illustrated ranking of the league's 32 special teams units.

detroitlions.com - Jake Bates scored 135 points last season, the second-most points a kicker has produced in a season in franchise history, trailing only his record of 142 points scored in 2024.

detroitlions.com - Jack Fox had 13 punts last season that pinned opponents inside their own 10-yard line, with only Houston's Tommy Townsend (16) having more.

vikings.com - Myles Price became the first Viking to record 100-plus return yards in an opener since Jerick McKinnon in 2017 and only the fifth since the mid-80s.

vikings.com - Will Reichard ranks seventh on the all-time field goal percentage chart through a player's first two seasons at 87.7 percent (minimum 65 attempts).

vikings.com - The Vikings special teams were penalized 23 times in 2025, which tied for the seventh most in the NFL.

vikings.com - The Vikings finished the 2025 season with a 9-8 record.

vikings.com - Johnny Hekker was a member of the NFL All-Decade Team of the 2010s and was a First- or Second-Team All-Pro from 2013-2018.

vikings.com - Myles Price recorded four fumbles during the previous season, losing possession three times.

vikings.com - Will Reichard connected on 33 of 35 field goals in the previous season and was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for December/January.

bengals.com - Evan McPherson hit a Bengals record 63-yard field goal in Week 12 against the New England Patriots.

bengals.com - Ryan Rehkow set the Bengals record for single-season gross average in 2025 with 50.54 yards per punt and ranked second in the NFL.

bengals.com - William Wagner won the long-snapping competition in the 2025 offseason, beating out Cal Adomitis for the starting job.

vikings.com - Myles Price recorded four fumbles during the previous season, losing possession three times.

vikings.com - Johnny Hekker was a member of the Super Bowl Champion Rams that employed Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell as offensive coordinator.

vikings.com - Brett Thorson posted the ninth-best punting average in the SEC dating back to 2000 at 45.6 yards, with a minimum of 100 punts.

bengals.com - Evan McPherson ranks third in franchise history in field goal percentage at 83.2%.

bengals.com - William Wagner was a finalist for the Patrick Manelly Award in 2024, recognizing the nation's top long snapper.

vikings.com - Myles Price set a Vikings record for combined kick and punt return yardage in one season.

vikings.com - Will Reichard is the first Vikings First-Team All-Pro kicker since Blair Walsh in 2012 and the team's third ever, along with Gary Anderson in 1998.

vikings.com - Johnny Hekker was a member of the NFL All-Decade Team of the 2010s.

vikings.com - Myles Price recorded 501 total return yards from Weeks 9-11, the most by a player over a three-game stretch in the season.

vikings.com - Will Reichard is aiming to surpass Blair Walsh for the franchise lead in field goals from 50-plus yards, needing six more to do so.

vikings.com - The Vikings special teams were penalized 23 times in 2025, which tied for the seventh most in the NFL.

vikings.com - Myles Price became the first Viking to record 100-plus return yards in an opener since Jerick McKinnon in 2017.

vikings.com - Price recorded 501 total return yards from Weeks 9-11, the most by a player over a three-game stretch in the season.

vikings.com - Will Reichard connected on 33 of 35 field goals in the previous season and was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for December/January.

bengals.com - Evan McPherson hit 25 of 28 field goals and 41 of 44 extra points in the previous season, including a Bengals record 63-yard field goal.

bengals.com - Ryan Rehkow set the Bengals record for single-season gross average in 2025 with 50.54 yards per punt.

WHERE:

vikings.com - The Minnesota Vikings training camp is held in Eagan, Minnesota.

bengals.com - The Cincinnati Bengals' specialists are based at Paycor Stadium.

WHEN:

vikings.com - The 2026 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp first practice is set to take place on July 29.

tennesseetitans.com - The Tennessee Titans will celebrate the final stadium practice at the current Nissan Stadium with the Blue & White Stadium Scrimmage on August 7.

vikings.com - The 2026 Vikings Training Camp starts on August 1 during Back Together Weekend: Saturday Edition.

neworleanssaints.com - The New Orleans Saints' 2026 training camp runs from July 29 to Aug. 27 at their training facility in Metairie.

vikings.com - The 2026 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp first practice is set to take place on July 29.

tennesseetitans.com - The Tennessee Titans will celebrate the final stadium practice at the current Nissan Stadium with the Blue & White Stadium Scrimmage on August 7.

Heavy NFL - Vikings training camp kicks off with rookies reporting on July 26 and veterans reporting on July 28.

vikings.com - The 2026 Vikings Training Camp starts on August 1 during Back Together Weekend: Saturday Edition.

bengals.com - Evan McPherson won AFC Special Teams Player of the Week in Week 13 after a performance on Thanksgiving.

WHY:

detroitlions.com - Special teams coordinator Dave Fipp stated that the Lions want a returner who is durable and able to take hits, highlighting Dortch's potential in that role.

detroitlions.com - Fipp stated that the Lions want a returner who is durable and able to take hits, highlighting Dortch's potential in that role.

bengals.com - The Bengals' specialists are returning for their second season together to increase production.

bengals.com - The Bengals' specialists posted a 90.7 PFF special teams grade, tied for the fourth highest in the NFL.

vikings.com - The Vikings aim to build on their strong foundation from the previous season, which ended with a 9-8 record.

bengals.com - The Bengals' specialists are returning for their second season together to increase production.

HOW:

vikings.com - If Johnny Hekker wins the punting job, Brett Thorson could be stashed as a roster exemption due to his inclusion in the league's International Player Pathway program.

vikings.com - The Vikings replaced punter Ryan Wright with Johnny Hekker and drafted Brett Thorson, the 2025 Ray Guy Award winner.

bengals.com - Ryan Rehkow has been McPherson's holder since signing with the team in 2024, contributing to their successful performance.

The 2026 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp is set to kick off with its first practice on July 29, while the Tennessee Titans will host their final stadium practice at Nissan Stadium during the Blue & White Stadium Scrimmage on August 7. The New Orleans Saints will hold their training camp from July 29 to August 27 at their facility in Metairie, and the Vikings Training Camp begins on August 1 during Back Together Weekend: Saturday Edition. In player news, Evan McPherson had a standout season in 2025, hitting 25 of 28 field goals and setting a Bengals record with a 63-yard kick, while the Lions have signed veteran wide receiver Greg Dortch to enhance their special teams as they seek a reliable punt returner.