Vikings general manager Rick Spielman made it clear Tuesday that kicker Blair Walsh is not in danger of losing his job just months after signing a contract extension.
It was one of several issues Spielman addressed with the media Tuesday afternoon as the Vikings enter into their bye week.
Walsh, 25, has missed two field goals and an extra point this season. One of those was a 38-yard field goal early in Minnesota’s 23-20 loss to Denver Sunday – but it was just the fourth time in his four-year career that Walsh has missed a kick from inside of 40 yards.
Despite Walsh’s struggles this season, Spielman isn’t wavering in his support of his kicker.
#Vikings GM Rick Spielman: "No question (Blair Walsh) is our kicker."
— Andrew Krammer (@Andrew_Krammer) October 6, 2015
“Blair is going through a little bit of a slump here right now,” Spielman told reporters Tuesday. “But I think there’s no question he is our kicker. I know coach [Zimmer] made that statement. And Blair is working extremely hard to try and get through this. And we’re doing everything we can, with [Mike] Priefer on our end, to get through this.”
According to 1500 ESPN, the Vikings aren’t alone in dealing with kicker problems though. Four outcomes were aided by missed kicks last week – Minnesota, Jacksonville, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
Walsh has been through struggles before. He made just 60 percent of his field goals during his last year at Georgia, but he was able to turn it around as he converted 92 percent of his kicks his rookie year in the NFL. He was a perfect 10 of 10 from beyond 50 yards – setting an NFL record and making the Pro Bowl as a rookie.
“People forget Blair a couple of years ago was a young kicker who was in the Pro Bowl. Sometimes these guys go through issues,” Spielman added. “Part of having young players is sometimes you’re going to have to get them through that adversity. Blair Walsh is our kicker.”
