National Football League

Vikings cut veteran kicker Longwell

Published May. 7, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Minnesota Vikings have released 16-year veteran kicker Ryan Longwell.

The surprising move was made Monday, a little more than a week after the team drafted Georgia kicker Blair Walsh in the sixth round. Shortly after Longwell said goodbye to Vikings fans on Twitter, the team announced the decision in a brief news release with a prepared statement from coach Leslie Frazier thanking Longwell for his work and wishing him well.

Longwell signed a four-year contract last summer that called for a $1.75 million salary this season. Over just six years with the Vikings, Longwell recorded 633 points, third in franchise history. His 94.4 field-goal percentage over the 2009 and 2010 seasons was the best in the NFL, though he slipped a little last year with 22 of 28 tries.