Sitting at 2-6 on the year, there are very clearly changes that need to be made by the New York Jets to potentially turn their season around in time to compete for a playoff spot in the AFC. And the first of what seems to be many changes is seemingly coming at the kicker position.
To put it nicely, the Jets have had their fair share of struggles this season on special teams. Former Pro Bowl kicker Greg Zuerlein simply hasn’t gotten it done this year, making only 9 of his 15 attempts on the season.
In the last three games specifically, Zuerlein has missed four field goals. And when you consider two of the last three games for the Jets have been decided by three points or less, there is a very reasonable argument that the Jets could be closer to .500 if they had a competent kicker at the helm.
It may be too little too late for the Jets to turn things around as a team. But regardless, they are now seemingly ramping up to make a move at kicker.
Zuerlein was added to the team’s injury report on Tuesday. And on top of that, the team worked out six kickers on Tuesday, a list of players which includes Zane Gonzalez, Brayden Narveson, Riley Patterson, Spencer Shrader, Andre Szmyt, and Cade York according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
It’s too early to tell which of these kickers will end up being the new starting kicker for the Jets heading into their Week 9 game against the Houston Texans. But it sure seems like one of them will be taking Zuerlein’s job both due to his new injury and his struggles on the field this year.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.