OCTOBER 29: Zane Gonzalez and the recently cut Brayden Narveson took part in the Jets’ kicker workout, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo tweets. The workout also included Patterson, York, Spencer Shrader and Andre Szmyt. Shrader kicked in one game for the Colts this season, filling in for Matt Gay. Szmyt has never kicked in an NFL game.
Narveson missed five field goals in six Packers games, doing so despite not attempting a 50-plus-yarder during his rookie season. The Pack cut him for Brandon McManus this month. Gonzalez has not kicked in a regular-season game since 2021 but was a regular for five straight seasons. The Commanders cut Patterson and traded for York in August, eventually moving on from the latter after Week 1. The Jets have not yet made a signing, but several options are on the radar.
OCTOBER 28: Greg Zuerlein‘s days in New York may be numbered. Following another dreadful outing from the Jets kicker, coach Jeff Ulbrich acknowledged that his team would hold a kicker competition this week (per ESPN’s Rich Cimini). Ulbrich added that the team intends to make a choice before Thursday’s matchup with the Texans, and he strongly hinted that Zuerlein may be sent packing.
“We’re exploring all the options right now,” Ulbrich said (via Brian Costello of the New York Post). “We really are. So we’re going to bring the kickers in for a workout, see where they stand and make a decision after that.”
This isn’t the first time this season that the Jets have considered pivoting away from Zuerlein. The team brought in Cade York, Riley Patterson, and Matt Coghlin earlier this month, but the Jets ended up sticking with the veteran for the time being.
Zuerlein has struggled during his age-37 season, with the kicker missing six of his 15 field goal attempts. In a three-point loss to the Patriots, ‘Greg The Leg’ missed a 44-yard attempt and an extra point. He previously missed a field goal in a one-point loss to the Broncos, and he missed a pair of FGAs during the Jets’ three-point loss to the Bills.
Following an underwhelming start to his New York tenure in 2022, Zuerlein seemed to bounce back in 2023, connecting on 35 of his 38 field goal attempts and 15 of his 16 XP tries. The Jets brought in Austin Seibert as some competition this offseason before ultimately deciding to stay with their incumbent. Seibert proceeded to join the Commanders, where he’s made a league-leading 23 of his 25 field goal attempts.
Yeah, Because that’s their only problem. They need a new GM. Because Rodgers sucks at it.
Well, his misses were major factors in three of the losses. That ain’t nothin.
So because it’s not the ONLY problem, they should just keep a guy whose kicking woes have cost them two sure wins (Denver and Buffalo) and contributed to a third (New England)? You can’t say 4-4, maybe even 5-3 wouldn’t be better than 2-6. Come on.
I guess I should have phrased it ” Not their worst problem”. Their worst problem is the QB leaves cleat marks on the HC and GM’s heads running to the owner. Maybe they should fix that problem, Then find a K.
I actually disagree, respectfully, unclemike. Rodgers, for all of the assumed and actual drama surrounding him, is the best player on that offense. Opinions aside, he’s played well enough to move the Jets to within a field of goal of winning in each of the Denver, Buffalo, and New England games at least. Rather than considering him a problem, it’s probably better to consider him as having strings attached.
Having an imbecilic meddler as an owner is probably worse. Not to mention that, despite the attempts by Douglas, that offensive line just is not good enough-or, rather, consistent enough-to power either a rush or passing offense, and you’ve got a couple of other big problems. Rodgers’ bigger mistake was backing Hackett for so long. Now that he’s gone, getting rid of Rodgers probably adds more issues than it solves, at least until there’s a legit future starter.
All that aside, I’ll go back to the top. After all of this, if Zeurlein goes, say, 10-15, the Jets are probably 5-3 right now. It’s a pretty big difference, Rodgers or no.
Rodgers is definitely not the best player on that offense. He can barely move right now. Dude looks awful.
Fair, I exaggerated, but who is? Wilson could be, but he’s inconsistent, even if he’s been better lately. Adams walked in yesterday. Hall and Allen are streaky. There’s no TE. Smith is old as well. It actually could be Rodgers.
Really, though, the rest of my argument stands, even if I concede this point. As much as we’re dumping on New York’s offense, they still could be, say, 5-3, or at least 4-4, with a few made kicks.
I would say Wilson and Adams are right now. The other guys you mentioned are up for debate, yes.
Agree about the kicks. Been pretty crazy for both NY teams when you include the NYG game vs. WSH.
I can agree with that.
It’s not quite fair to Rodgers and the Jets. Rodgers was injured early last year in a freak injury, last year he would have played better. But yes, it doesn’t make sense to count on Rodgers for next year, as at this point Rodgers is a middle-of-the-pack QB. His deep savvy can still help but the physical talents are not there for him to take advantage of many of the opportunities he sees.
It may not be the worst problem (it’s close though), but it’s an easy problem to attempt to fix. Zane Gonzalez is a solid bet to correct this woe. Like I said, Zeurlein is directly responsible for 2 losses. That should be enough to be considered one of the biggest problems.
What a nonsensical take. Their wideout drops are worse than your take. The offensive line is as putrid as your infantile name. The defense is soft as your brain apparently is and you should do us all a favor and self mute.
They should work out potential owners, too
and QB/GMs.
Kickers are never safe. Its not uncommon for teams to replace their kicker midseason.
When a kicker is on his third team that should be a big clue as to his reliability…
Did you read the article? Austin Seibert is probably on his 5th team counting practice squads and he’s the best kicker in the league this year
At this point why bother? They’re not making the playoffs, might as well just tank for the next QB that the new GM and coaching staff can ruin
No point tanking for QBs you can’t develop and the Jets admitted that was the primary reason they pursued a veteran like Rodgers.
I mean they’re not making the playoffs, why bother now when they didn’t bother when they still had the chance?
With Aaron running the team, I’m surprised Mason Crosby isn’t the kicker
Against the Broncos – misses 50 yard FG late in the 4th quarter, Jets lose 10-9
Against the Bills – misses a 32 yard and a 43 yard FG, Jets lose 23-20
Against the Pats – misses an XP and a 44 yard FG (which also forced the Jets to go for two later on, which they didn’t convert), Jets lose 25-22
Jets could potentially be 5-3 right now if their kicker could make FGs.
I just looked up the kickers the Jets have used in my lifetime. I won’t share it here because some of it is too frightening to share. Seriously, the Jets are one of those teams whose kickers have ranged from “reliable and fairly solid” to “torches and pitchforks”.
Yeah, and after seeing what Narveson did in Green Bay, I’m not sure that he’ll make it any better.
I’ll never understand why the Jets took a chance with Mike Nugent but passed on Ted Nugent 🙂
That Snakeskin Cowboy. Who the hell does he think he is?
He was a Packer? Narveson it is!