Blair Walsh, Vikings Agree on New Contract: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction

The Minnesota Vikings and kicker Blair Walsh agreed to a four-year contract extension that could be worth up to $14 million.  

The team announced the new deal Sunday, and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported the deal will carry $5.25 million in guarantees.

In a statement following the announcement of the deal, Walsh said:

"

I'm extremely excited to be a part of the Minnesota Vikings moving forward. I'd like to thank Rick Spielman, the Wilf family, Coach Zimmer, Coach Priefer and Rob Brzezinski for giving me this opportunity. I'm proud to be able to stay with the team that drafted me coming out of college and I look forward to what is in store for the future of this organization.

"

Walsh, 25, was heading into the last season of his rookie contract. The former sixth-round pick has emerged as one of the most consistent kickers in football over his three NFL seasons, knocking down 84.5 percent of his kicks overall.

“Blair has been a vital part of our special teams success since we drafted him and we felt it was very important to secure his future with our organization," general manager Rick Spielman said in a statement. "His consistency on kickoffs and on long range field goals can help change the game for our team and we're excited for his future here in Minnesota."

The Vikings will hope Walsh's consistency returns after a shaky 2014 campaign. In his first season without the comfort of eight games coming inside a dome, Walsh saw his field-goal percentage dip from 86.7 percent in 2013 to 74.3.

His home-road splits from his first two seasons were not that concerning—Walsh missed three field goals at home and four on the road—but it's still worth monitoring now that he's being paid like a top-five kicker.

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