With Greg Joseph heading towards unrestricted free agency this Wednesday, the Minnesota Vikings have secured the services of kicker John Parker Romo, adding depth and potentially fostering competition during camp, either alongside Joseph or another contender.
Romo’s background is relatively obscure, having played college football at Central Arkansas, Tulsa, and Virginia Tech. Following his collegiate career in 2022, he ventured into the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the New Orleans Saints but failed to secure a spot on the team. Subsequently, he found success in the XFL with the San Antonio Brahmas, earning a place on the All-XFL team after an impressive season where he converted 17 of 19 field goals, including a 57-yarder that briefly held the XFL record.
After stints with the Detroit Lions and a brief tenure on the Chicago Bears’ practice squad, Romo remained unsigned until the Vikings’ recent agreement.
The Vikings seem to be banking on the possibility of Romo replicating the success story of Brandon Aubrey from the previous season, who transitioned from the USFL to the NFL, excelling with the Dallas Cowboys. While Romo’s trajectory is uncertain, the potential for a kicker transitioning from a spring league to thrive in the NFL isn’t without precedent, as demonstrated by Aubrey’s remarkable journey.
