Without the penalty, Will Reichard would have tried to win the game from 68 yards against the Lions

Will Reichard almost had a chance to set the record for longest field goal in the NFL.

Trailing 31-29 in the final seconds of Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Sam Darnold hit Jalen Nailor for a 20-yard gain to the 50-yard line and picked up the ball with one second Ending. But Christian Darrisaw was called for an illegal formation penalty that pushed the Vikings back five yards to their 45-yard line.

But if they hadn't been hit by the penalty, Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said he would have had his rookie kicker attempt the potential game-winning field goal, which would have been a 68-yarder.

“I was thinking about sending him anyway,” O’Connell said. “When the penalty marked the deficit, I think it would have been a 73-yard field goal. Just out of his reach at this point. But yeah, I definitely would have hopefully given it a swing. … It would have been phenomenal to see (Reichard) get some momentum.”

If Reichard had been given the chance to make the 68-yard field goal and made it, the Vikings would not only have won the game, but would also have set the record for the longest made field goal in the NFL. Currently, Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker holds the record for the NFL's longest field goal, a game-winner of 66 yards against the Lions in 2021.

But Reichard never got the chance as the Vikings secured the extra five yards, and Darnold was sacked on a Hail Mary attempt on the following play, ending the game and the Vikings' perfect record in a 31-29 loss .

Still, it's clear that Reichard has already earned O'Connell's trust in his rookie season, and for good reason. On Sunday, Reichard was perfect on his field goals, including a 57-yarder in the first quarter, and 2-for-2 on his extra points. Reichard has yet to miss a kick this season, going a perfect 9-for-9 with a long of 58 and 16-for-16 on extra points.