EAGAN, Minn. — Celebrations are in full swing for Will Reichard.

The Vikings kicker was celebrated Thursday, on the eve of his 25^th birthday, as the NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for December/January. Reichard was a perfect 12-for-12 on field goals and 12-for-12 on PATs from Weeks 14-18 to improve his second-season totals to 33-for-35 (94.3 percent) and 31-for-31.

Reichard's last miss of the year happened all the way back in Week 8. His string of fortunes in December started with six total FGs against NFC East opponents Washington, Dallas and New York, and continued Christmas Day against the Lions when he struck three more, including a pair of 50-yarders in a 23-10 win.

That long range was a staple of Reichard's indelible campaign, in which he converted 11 out of 13 attempts from 50-plus yards, tied with Brandon Aubrey and Chase McLaughlin for the most in the NFL.

On Sunday, he had makes from 43, 25 and 37, plus one extra point as Minnesota beat Green Bay 16-3.

Looking closer, the conference recognition was the result of Reichard striking three points in the team's shutout of the Commanders on Dec. 7, outperforming NFC Pro Bowl kicker Aubrey on Sunday Night Football at Dallas on Dec. 14, persevering the cold and wind in New Jersey on Dec. 21 and repeatedly booming the ball into the net with Snoop Dogg and friends in the Vikings building and the Lions playoff life fading to black. The distances against the Packers were shorter — but the kicks were just as sweet.

A sixth-round draft pick in 2024, Reichard was electric to watch, upholding his nickname "Will the Thrill."

Before Week 18 on Jan. 4, Special Teams Coordinator Matt Daniels rhapsodized about Reichard's portfolio, which included a league-record-tying 59-yard field goal at Soldier Field going against the wind in Week 1, and the second-longest recorded kick in Lambeau Field history in Week 12 (also 59 yards).

"I think the — not really unfortunate part — but we really haven't had those ice-in-the veins kind of walk-off winning field goals yet in his career," Daniels said. "But in moments when we needed him the most, whether it's to go up by three with two minutes left in the game (Reichard owns four FGs in the last 2:00 of games since 2024) and the defense has got to get a stop or it's to put ourselves in a position to basically go up another possession … he's been able to do that and capitalize on those big moments."

"I think it's just a credit [to] who this guy is," Daniels added.

Head Coach Kevin O'Connell extended similar praise Reichard's way as the 2025 season wound down.

"My confidence in him is supreme; it couldn't be higher," he said, explaining how valuable it is "when your kicker can go out there and you can pretty much lock it in that you're going to get three points."

"He's earned that," continued O'Connell, "to have the expectation of not only myself, but Matt, and everybody on our football team, that he's going to go out there and do his job. He's been phenomenal."

Reichard is the first Vikings player to win the NFC Special Teams Player of the Month since returner Cordarrelle Patterson did in September 2013, and the first kicker since Blair Walsh in December 2012.

Reichard is the fifth player overall under O'Connell to collect NFC Player of the Month honors, joining OLB Za'Darius Smith (Defense, October 2022), WR Justin Jefferson (Offense, November 2022), OLB Danielle Hunter (Defense, November 2023) and QB Sam Darnold (Offense, September 2024).

Seven different Vikings players have won at least one Special Teams Player of the Month award.

All-Time Vikings NFC Special Teams Players of the Month

1994 Fuad Reveiz, K December

1998 Mitch Berger, P November

1999 Mitch Berger, P September

2000 Mitch Berger, P December

2005 Chris Kluwe, P September

2012 Percy Harvin, KR September

2012 Blair Walsh, K December

2013 Cordarrelle Patterson, KR September

2025 Will Reichard, K December/January