Ryan Longwell Released by Minnesota Vikings After 6 Seasons with Team

Kicker Ryan Longwell, 37, has been released by the Minnesota Vikings. The 15-year NFL veteran had been with the team for six seasons. 

ESPN's Jeff Zulgad tweeted the news.

"

Vikings have cut kicker Ryan Longwell. Confirming his tweet which said as much.

— Judd Zulgad (@1500ESPNJudd) May 7, 2012"

Longwell has had a solid run with the Vikings. However, he is coming off his worst season in Minnesota. He made just 78.6 percent of his field goals last season. His previous low with Vikings was 83.3 percent. 

The kicker was in his second year of a four-year $12 million deal. He was scheduled to make $1.75 million in 2012. 

This move is not particularly surprising. The Vikings selected Georgia kicker Blair Walsh in the sixth round of this year's draft. 

Teams do not spend a draft pick on a kicker if they don't expect to use them. However, Walsh may not be able to improve the Vikings field goal conversion percentage. 

He hit just 60 percent of his field goals at Georgia last year—which included going 10-for-14 on attempts from 30-39 yards. 

Walsh did have a long kick of 56 yards last season, which is a yard longer than Longwell's career long of 55 yards. He will also come at a much cheaper price. 

It remains to be seen if Longwell will find a new home, but it seems likely he will at least get an invite to camp and a shot to earn a job somewhere.