Vikings change direction at punter, sign former Steeler Jordan Berry

Shortly after the Minnesota Vikings announced that they had released veteran punter Britton Colquitt on Wednesday afternoon, the word came out that it was merely a procedural move. As it turns out, it was.

Because the Vikings then proceeded to sign someone else to handle their punting duties.

The Vikings have officially signed former Pittsburgh Steelers punter Jordan Berry.

Berry was a part of a punting competition in Steelers’ camp this year with Pressley Harvin, and the team ultimately declared Harvin the winner of that battle by letting Berry go. Berry spent the better part of six seasons with the Steelers after signing with them as an undrafted free agent out of Eastern Kentucky in 2015.

A native of Melbourne, Australia, Berry looks to provide an upgrade over what Colquitt brought to the team last season. His net punting average was nearly four yards/punt greater than Colquitt’s was (40.5 to 36.7) and he dropped 23 of his 57 punts inside the opponents’ 20-yard line compared to just 11-of-54 for Colquitt.

With this move, the Vikings now have added a new kicker and a new punter since the end of last season. . .and a new holder, since Berry will take over those duties as well. Here’s hoping that everyone will have enough time to build some chemistry before the team heads for Cincinnati in Week 1.

Welcome to Minnesota, Jordan Berry!