Patriots still have zero clarity on kicker competition heading into joint practice with Vikings

Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, August 12th 2025 at 13:00 GMT by Sportsnaut
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The New England Patriots are set to kick off their first of two joint practices with the Minnesota Vikings on

Patriots' Kicker Conundrum: Still No Clarity as Season Looms

The New England Patriots, a franchise long synonymous with precision and reliability in all facets of the game, find themselves mired in an uncharacteristic fog of uncertainty at one of the most critical positions on the field: the kicker. As the team navigates the final stretches of preseason preparations, the kicking situation remains a glaring question mark, with no clear frontrunner emerging despite weeks of competition and evaluation. This ongoing saga underscores a broader theme of instability that has plagued the Patriots' special teams unit in recent years, raising concerns about how it might impact their performance in what promises to be a pivotal season under head coach Jerod Mayo.

At the heart of the issue is the battle between incumbent Chad Ryland and challenger Joey Slye, two kickers whose performances have been anything but decisive. Ryland, a fourth-round draft pick from the 2023 class, entered the offseason with high expectations but has struggled to shake off the inconsistencies that defined his rookie year. Last season, he converted just 64% of his field goal attempts, a figure that placed him near the bottom of the league and drew sharp criticism from fans and analysts alike. His misses, often in clutch moments, contributed to several close losses, amplifying the pressure on him to prove his worth. Preseason outings have done little to alleviate doubts; while Ryland has shown flashes of the leg strength that made him an attractive prospect out of Maryland, his accuracy has wavered, particularly on longer attempts. In a recent exhibition game against the Philadelphia Eagles, he nailed a 51-yarder but shanked a shorter kick that could have sealed a drive, encapsulating the highs and lows that have defined his tenure so far.

Enter Joey Slye, the veteran journeyman signed in the offseason to provide competition and potentially a steady alternative. Slye, who has bounced around the league with stints at teams like the Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, and Washington Commanders, brings a resume of solid, if unspectacular, production. His career field goal percentage hovers around 82%, a marked improvement over Ryland's numbers, and he has demonstrated reliability in high-pressure environments. However, Slye's preseason has been a mixed bag as well. He impressed early with a perfect showing in training camp drills, including a booming 58-yard field goal that turned heads in Foxborough. But in live game action, inconsistencies crept in—a missed extra point against the Eagles and a pair of wayward attempts in joint practices with other teams have tempered the enthusiasm. Patriots special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer has praised Slye's mental toughness and experience, noting in a recent press conference that "Joey has been through the wars in this league," but the coaching staff's reluctance to name a starter suggests neither has fully separated himself.

This lack of clarity isn't just a minor hiccup; it's symptomatic of deeper challenges within the Patriots' organization as they transition into a post-Bill Belichick era. For decades, the team enjoyed unparalleled stability at kicker, from the steady Adam Vinatieri, whose legendary boots in Super Bowl triumphs became the stuff of folklore, to Stephen Gostkowski, who held down the fort for 14 seasons with remarkable consistency. Gostkowski's departure in 2020 opened a revolving door that has seen a parade of kickers—Nick Folk, who provided a brief respite with two solid years before moving on; Quinn Nordin, an undrafted free agent who flashed potential but couldn't stick; and now Ryland and Slye—each failing to fully lock down the role. The instability has cost the team points on the scoreboard and, more intangibly, confidence in crunch time. Analysts point to the Patriots' draft strategy as part of the problem; investing a high pick in Ryland was a bold move, but it hasn't paid dividends yet, leading to questions about the scouting department's evaluation process under new executive Eliot Wolf.

Head coach Jerod Mayo, in his first year at the helm, has been diplomatic but firm in addressing the situation. During a media availability session, Mayo emphasized the importance of competition, stating, "We're not rushing this decision. We need someone who can be reliable week in and week out, because in this league, games are won and lost on the margins." He acknowledged the frustration but highlighted the team's broader focus on building a resilient roster. Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt echoed these sentiments, noting that the kicking woes have forced the team to adapt play-calling in certain scenarios, potentially limiting aggressive fourth-down decisions if trust in the kicker remains low.

Beyond the on-field performances, external factors are complicating the decision. The Patriots' salary cap situation is tight, with Ryland's rookie contract offering cost savings compared to Slye's veteran deal, which could influence the final call if performances are deemed equal. Additionally, the team has explored the waiver wire and free agent market, with rumors swirling about potential interest in castoffs from other teams' roster cuts. Names like Anders Carlson, formerly of the Green Bay Packers, or even a reunion with Folk have been floated in speculation, though no moves have materialized. This hesitation speaks to a cautious approach, perhaps born from past missteps—remember the brief and disastrous experiment with Roberto Aguayo in 2017, a cautionary tale of overhyped kickers flaming out.

As the regular season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals approaches, the Patriots' fanbase is growing restless. Social media is abuzz with calls for a definitive choice, with some advocating for Slye's experience to stabilize the unit, while others plead for patience with Ryland's upside. The stakes are high; in a competitive AFC East, where margins are razor-thin against powerhouses like the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins, a reliable kicker could be the difference between a playoff push and another rebuilding year. Historical data underscores this: teams with top-10 kicking accuracy win, on average, two more games per season than those in the bottom tier.

Looking ahead, the final preseason game against the Washington Commanders could be make-or-break for both contenders. Mayo has indicated that live reps under game pressure will be the ultimate litmus test, with the coaching staff poring over film and analytics to inform their choice. Whichever way the decision falls, it's clear that the Patriots' kicking carousel needs to stop spinning soon if they hope to reclaim their status as contenders. Until then, the fog of uncertainty lingers, a reminder that even the most storied franchises aren't immune to the NFL's unforgiving parity.

In the grand scheme, this kicker dilemma is more than just a positional battle—it's a microcosm of the Patriots' current state: a team in flux, searching for identity and reliability amid change. As training camp winds down, all eyes remain on the uprights, waiting for clarity to emerge from the chaos. (Word count: 928)

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