Vienna Vikings welcome home NFL veteran Bernhard Seikovits

The Vienna Vikings have made a major splash in the Austrian Football League by signing tight end Bernhard Seikovits, a hometown standout who returns to Austria after spending four seasons with the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL, bringing elite experience and leadership to the Vikings’ offense.

From Vienna to the NFL
A product of the Vienna Vikings youth system, Seikovits began his career as a quarterback before transitioning to receiver and eventually tight end. His breakthrough came through the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program, which earned him a roster spot with the Cardinals. Though he did not appear in a regular season game, his four years in an NFL environment provided invaluable exposure to top-level coaching, training, and competition.

A proven playmaker at home
Before his NFL journey, Seikovits was a dominant force in the AFL. He helped lead the Vikings to the 2017 title with a spectacular championship performance: 133 receiving yards and three touchdowns, plus kicking duties. In 2019, he recorded 864 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns during the regular season, establishing himself as one of Europe’s most dynamic offensive weapons.

A homecoming with purpose
Now 28, the 6’5″, 260-pound tight end returns to Vienna with enhanced skills, physical maturity, and a deep understanding of professional preparation. His signing represents not only an on-field upgrade but also a symbolic homecoming for a player who embodies the growth and ambition of European football. As he stated, “Vienna is and always has been my home… I’m incredibly happy to be a Viking again.”

Head coach Chris Calaycay praised the signing, highlighting Seikovits’ professionalism and inspiring journey. His return energizes a Vikings squad aiming to reclaim the AFL title and reinforces the organization’s reputation as one of the most professional environments in European football.