In a surprising turn of events, the New England Patriots have decided to cut ties with kicker Chad Ryland after just one year. Ryland, who was initially seen as the kicker of the future for the organization when selected in the NFL Draft, now finds himself on the free-agent market.
During his rookie season, Ryland led the Patriots in scoring with a total of 72 points. However, his performance was marred by inconsistency, converting only 64% of his field goal attempts. Ryland's 16 successful kicks out of 25 attempts placed him last in the NFL in terms of field goal percentage. His struggles were particularly evident on long-distance kicks, as he managed only 45.5% from beyond 45 yards, making just 5 of 11 attempts.
Training Camp Battle
This offseason, the Patriots brought in veteran kicker Joey Slye to provide some competition in training camp. Slye, with six years of NFL experience, showcased his superior skills and consistency. He outkicked Ryland by hitting nearly 80% of his kicks, compared to Ryland’s 75.9%. The competition was even starker on long-distance attempts, with Slye converting eight of nine kicks between 50 and 59 yards, while Ryland managed just three of seven.
Slye's success in camp made a strong case for securing the role, which ultimately led to the Patriots’ decision to let Ryland go. "Slye outkicked Ryland in camp by hitting nearly 80% of his kicks compared to just 75.9% for Ryland," reported 98.5 The Sports Hub in Boston.
Slye's NFL Journey
Slye's journey to the Patriots has been a winding one. He started his NFL career with the Carolina Panthers, where he played for two years. Slye then had a whirlwind 2021 season, playing for the Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers, and Washington Commanders. His tenure in Washington spanned two-and-a-half seasons until the Commanders decided to let him walk in free agency. Now, with the Patriots being the sixth team Slye has joined in his six-year career, he seems poised to make a significant impact.
Final Kicker Drafted by Belichick
Ryland’s release marks the conclusion of a brief chapter under head coach Bill Belichick. Notably, Ryland is the final kicker drafted by Belichick. The veteran coach has always placed a high value on special teams, and this move underscores the importance of reliability and performance in that role.
With the NFL season fast approaching, all eyes will be on the Patriots' special teams to see if Slye can carry his training camp momentum into the regular season. The move to a seasoned kicker like Slye suggests the Patriots are aiming for stability and consistency, qualities that Ryland unfortunately could not deliver during his stint with the team.
As the Patriots rally behind their new kicker, the spotlight will remain on the special teams unit to see how this change impacts their overall performance. Slye's experience and recent training camp success offer a promising outlook, but the true test will come when the season gets underway. For now, fans and analysts alike will be eager to see if the Patriots' faith in Slye pays off. The unfolding season will reveal how this strategic switch shapes the Patriots' quest for success.