Paul Edinger

Paul Edinger (born January 17, 1978) is an American former professional football player who was a placekicker in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL draft. He played college football for the Michigan State Spartans.

Edinger has also played for the Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Rush, and Jacksonville Sharks.

Professional career

Chicago Bears Edinger was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round (174th overall) in the 2000 NFL draft. He played five seasons with the team and set a personal best with an 83.9 field goal percentage in 2001. He kicked 62.5% in his last year with Chicago and was released. In five seasons with the Bears, Paul Edinger made 110 out of 146 (76.9%) field goals and made all of his 133 extra point attempts.

Minnesota Vikings Edinger signed with the Minnesota Vikings as a free agent in 2005. His 56-yard game-winning field goal against the Green Bay Packers on October 23, 2005, was the longest ever in Vikings history, tied with Blair Walsh's 56-yard attempt against the Houston Texans in Week 16 of the 2012 season. The kick was also his personal long. This record was broken when Greg Joseph kicked a game-winning 61-yard field goal against the New York Giants in week 16 of the 2022 season. He was not re-signed following the season. In his only season as a Minnesota Viking, Edinger made 25 of 34 (73.5%) field goals and all of his 31 extra point attempts.

Edinger is in a two-way tie for most accurate extra point kicker in NFL history, a perfect 100%.

Chicago Rush After being out of football since 2005, Edinger signed a three-year contract with the Chicago Rush of the Arena Football League. However, he was released a week later. He was re-signed on June 3, 2008, after the release of Rush kicker Dan Frantz. His next game, he pulled his groin before the game and spent the rest of the season on IR. He played one game for the Rush

Jacksonville Sharks Edinger signed with the Jacksonville Sharks on January 2, 2010.

Pittsburgh Power Edinger signed with the Pittsburgh Power on November 1, 2010.

NFL career statistics Legend Bold Career high

Regular season Year Team Overall FGs PATs Kickoffs Total points 2000 CHI 16 27 21 77.8 21 21 100 58 3,472 59.9 4 84 2001 CHI 16 31 26 83.9 34 34 100 73 4,404 60.3 4 112 2002 CHI 16 28 22 78.6 29 29 100 67 4,002 59.7 2 95 2003 CHI 16 36 26 72.2 27 27 100 69 3,956 57.3 1 105 2004 CHI 16 24 15 62.5 22 22 100 56 3,285 58.7 0 67 2005 MIN 16 34 25 73.5 31 31 100 72 4,246 59.0 0 106 96 180 135 75.0 164 164 100 395 23,365 59.2 11 569

Playoffs Year Team Overall FGs PATs Kickoffs Total points 2001 CHI 1 1 1 100 2 2 100 4 227 56.8 0 5 1 1 1 100 2 2 100 4 227 56.8 0 5

Kicking style Edinger is known for his unusual "corkscrew" kicking motion: before the snap he faces backwards in the direction of the opposite side of the field. As the ball is snapped he turns as he steps in a circular pattern toward the ball.