Belichick hints at Patriots’ plans to find kicker of the future
Bill Belichick called the Patriots’ signing of Josh Gable an extended look at a “younger kicker”, indicating they’re looking toward the future at the position.
FOXBOROUGH, MA – SEPTEMBER 22: Stephen Gostkowski #3 of the New England Patriots looks on during the fourth quarter of a game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
Billie Weiss/Getty ImagesBy Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Bill Belichick admitted on Friday that the Patriots' signing of 29-year-old kicker Josh Gable was meant to give them an option for the future at the position. So while they do have Stephen Gostkowski signed for 2020, it appears that the Patriots are beginning to look toward a long-term answer.
Gable signed to the Patriots' practice squad on Wednesday, but Belichick hinted in his Friday press conference that the team plans to move on from him. Mike Reiss reported earlier on Friday to expect movement on the practice squad and that Gable's roster spot could be in jeopardy.
Belichick described the Gable signing as something of an extended workout, giving him some time to actually work with the Patriots' other specialists and filing him away as a potential future pickup at kicker. The team will keep Nick Folk on as the starter for Sunday's game at the Bengals.
“We had a spot available on the practice squad and it gave us an opportunity to look at a younger kicker," said Belichick. "But, I mean, we’re going with Nick [Folk], so that’s not really – we’ll worry about that next year, but rather than just come in and do a workout, we were actually able to kick with the team and put him on the practice squad for a couple days. So, put that in the bank and maybe it comes up later on at some point in time down the road. Maybe it doesn’t, I’m not sure. We’ll see how it goes.”
Gostkowski, who went on injured reserve after hip surgery in Week 3, is signed for 2020 for $4.25 million in salary and bonuses. Moving on from Gostkowski in the offseason would save the Pats over $4 million against the salary cap, while a new, younger kicker from the draft or free agency would cost a fraction of that.
They may well keep Gostkowski for at least one more season, but Belichick ostensibly has an eye toward the future now. The Patriots certainly don't want to end up in another revolving door situation like they've had in 2019, where they've had Folk, Mike Nugent, and Kai Forbath come off the street to kick field goals for them since Gostkowski went down.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.
