New Vikings kicker Kai Forbath said Wednesday that he will “hopefully be here for a long time.” But his contract gives him no such assurances.
Forbath signed a two-year deal worth up to $1.1 million, according to a league source. But the contract includes no guaranteed money.
So if Forbath, who has an 84.1 career field-goal percentage, falters, the Vikings can move on from Forbath with no penalty this season or next.
The Vikings, of course, are hoping Forbath can re-stabilize a position that they hadn’t really had to worry about before Blair Walsh’s meltdown. He is only the third kicker they have employed over the past decade.
Walsh’s four-year extension, the one he signed in 2015 that made him one of the NFL’s highest-paid kickers, included $5.25 million in guarantees.
Forbath will make $312,941 the rest of this season and $775,000 in 2017.
Ben Goessling is in his sixth year covering the Vikings, having joined the Star Tribune in 2017 after four seasons at ESPN and one at the Pioneer Press. He is an Apple Valley High School and University of Minnesota graduate. Follow him at @GoesslingStrib.
Mark Craig has covered the NFL for 23 years, and the Vikings since 2003 for the Star Tribune. He is one of 48 Pro Football Hall of Fame selectors. Follow him at @markcraignfl.
Andrew Krammer joined the Star Tribune in July 2016 after three years covering the Vikings for 1500 ESPN. He is a 2013 graduate of the University of Minnesota. Follow him at @Andrew_Krammer.
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