Patriots bring in veteran kicker to compete with Chad Ryland
New England Patriots kicker Chad Ryland is getting some veteran competition in camp. The Pats have agreed to a deal with 27-year-old journeyman kicker Joey Slye, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
Slye spent the past two full seasons with the Washington Commanders, and has also kicked for the Texans, 49ers, and Panthers over his five seasons in the NFL. He is a career 82.3% field goal kicker (121-of-147), and is 88.5% on extra points.
Ryland, a 2023 fourth-round pick out of Maryland, was up-and-down (to put it kindly) as a rookie. He converted only 64% of field goals (16-of-25), but did deliver a game-winning kick over the Denver Broncos on Christmas Eve. Ryland also converted 96% of his extra point attempts (24-of-25).
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Clearly, the Patriots do not view Ryland as a lock to be their kicker in 2024. Ryland has a big leg, but tends to spray the ball. With better accuracy and consistency, he could become a good NFL kicker. The Broncos win showed that he may have a clutch gene swimming around inside him.
Slye, meanwhile, has bounced around the league, and is coming off a season in which he converted just 79.2% of field goal tries. He has work to do of his own. But he does have a clear experience advantage over Ryland.
Punter Bryce Baringer, unlike Ryland, may have job security. He made the third-longest punt in the NFL as a rookie with a 79-yard boot. while making only eight touchbacks despite making the second-most punts in the league (98).
The kicker competition can simply be added to the list of roster battles to watch for as the Patriots gear up for OTAs, minicamp, and most importantly, training camp and the preseason. It’s hard to get a read on who may have the inside track right now, but the signing of Slye should certainly put Ryland on notice.
Get complete New England Patriots coverage at 985TheSportsHub.com. Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Check out all of Matt’s content.
