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Cade York

Jets’ Kicker Workout Includes Zane Gonzalez, Brayden Narveson, Cade York, Others

October 29th, 2024 at 3:40pm CST by Ben Levine

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.

Jets Work Out Riley Patterson, Cade York

October 16th, 2024 at 4:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

Greg Zuerlein‘s third Jets season has not started off well. Albeit in suboptimal conditions, Zuerlein combined to miss three field goals in home losses to the Broncos and Bills. As a result, the Jets are looking into other options.

Riley Patterson, Cade York and Matt Coghlin worked out for the team today, ESPN.com’s Field Yates tweets. Zuerlein is 8-for-12 this season, missing one of his two kicks Monday night from inside 40 yards. Zuerlein previously missed a game-winning 50-yarder in the rain against the Broncos.

The Jets re-signed Zuerlein in March, agreeing to a two-year, $8.4MM deal. That contract included $4.2MM guaranteed and included three void years for cap purposes. While the Jets would eat more than $2MM in dead money by moving on from the established option, they have certainly attempted to shake things up as of late. No signings have been made, per NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo, but Zuerlein may be running out of time to bounce back.

Robert Saleh is out, while Nathaniel Hackett has been demoted. Todd Downing is in the play-calling role, and Davante Adams is set to debut for the team in Week 7. Mike Williams is on the trade block. The Jets have not tampered with their special teams core just yet, but Zuerlein is clearly on notice.

A Division II success story known as one of the NFL’s strongest-legged kickers, the 37-year-old specialist has never been cut in-season. The Cowboys did release him after the 2021 campaign, however. Zuerlein made 35 of 38 field goals in his second Jets season — including a 5-for-6 connect rate from 50-plus yards — to lead to the two-year contract, but he may be kicking for his job soon.

Patterson entered training camp as the Commanders’ kicker, having been claimed following a Jaguars cut, but did not make it to the regular season in that role. York came in via trade as a replacement for Patterson, who struggled during the preseason.

Split between Detroit and Cleveland, Patterson went 16-for-18 on field goals last season; he made 30 of 35 tries as the Jaguars’ kicker in 2022. A 2022 Browns draftee, York has kicked in one game over the past two seasons. It did not go well. York did not make it to Week 2 in the Commanders role, being waived after missing two kicks in a season-opening loss. Coghlin spent six years at Michigan State but has yet to kick in an NFL game; the 49ers worked him out last week before signing Matthew Wright.

Bills Work Out Two Kickers

September 17th, 2024 at 10:01pm CST by Ely Allen

Bills kicker Tyler Bass was signed to an extension a year and a half ago, but Buffalo may be having a bit of buyer’s remorse. Some recent inaccuracies have made many question his standing as the Bills’ kicker of the future, though the team has claimed that they don’t have any intention to replace him. That tune may be changing as Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports that the Bills worked out kickers Anders Carlson and Cade York today.

Bass has been nothing if not consistent. In his first three seasons, Bass missed four field goals attempts in each regular season. He upped that to five misses in 2023. His rookie season saw him miss two field goals and an extra point attempt in the playoffs, and his second trip to the postseason the next year saw him miss two more extra point attempts. He cleaned it up with a perfect postseason in 2022, though he didn’t attempt a kick over 40 yards, but 2023 saw him miss three postseason field goal attempts, including one late in the team’s divisional round loss to the Chiefs.

Just over two weeks ago, Bills general manager Brandon Beane was telling the media that the team was not considering adding competition to the special teams room for Bass. Nonetheless, we had thoughts that any early struggles might lead to some interest in other options on the free agent market. Five days after watching Bass log his first miss of the season, in come Carlson and York.

As a sixth-round rookie last year for the Packers, Carlson likely doesn’t inspire confidence for an increase in accuracy. In 2023, Carlson missed six field goals and five extra points, and as a result, was waived before the start of this year. A fourth-round pick in 2022, York missed eight field goals in his rookie season and two extra points, as well, for the Browns. He started the season as the kicker for Washington but was waived after missing both of his only field goal attempts in Week 1.

It’s not quite clear why the Bills aren’t more interested in adding veteran competition like free agents Brandon McManus or Randy Bullock, instead opting for young, inaccurate legs, but what’s important to note is that they’re bringing in competition at all. The Bills might still have confidence in Bass moving forward, but at the very least, they’re bringing in some other names to light a fire under their current kicker.

Commanders Release K Cade York; Team Signs K Austin Seibert

September 9th, 2024 at 3:01pm CST by Adam La Rose

Cade York was acquired via trade by the Commanders in advance of Week 1 to serve as their kicker, but his audition in the nation’s capital has proved to be short-lived. The team announced on Monday he has been released. A replacement appears to be in place, as NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports Washington plans to sign Austin Seibert.

York was drafted by the Browns in 2022, and he connected on 75% of his field goal attempts as a rookie. That year was followed by considerable struggles during the subsequent offseason, leading Cleveland to waive him and bring in Dustin Hopkins. The veteran had a strong debut Browns season last year, and he was rewarded with an extension in the offseason.

York spent time with the Titans and Giants in 2023, although he did not see any regular season action. The LSU product returned to Cleveland until he was traded to the Commanders in late August. That deal offered Washington yet another option in the kicking game after an offseason filled with changes at the position, and it included a conditional seventh-round pick heading the Browns’ way. Since York was let go after less than two weeks with Washington, though, that pick will not go to Cleveland, Pelissero’s colleague Mike Garafolo notes.

During Sunday’s loss to the Buccaneers, York made both of his extra point attempts but he went 0-for-2 on field goal kicks. That has led to the Commanders moving on in short order, and it will likely leave him on the open market for an extended period. Washington will attempt to move forward with Seibert, whom Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post reports has indeed been signed.

The 27-year-old also began his career with the Browns, and he has additionally spent time with the Lions and Jets. Seibert made one appearance for New York last year, and he remained with the team through the preseason. Considering the presence of Greg Zuerlein, however, Seibert was released during roster cuts. The Oklahoma product has connected on 80.4% of his field goal tries and 90.3% of his extra point attempts. A consistent showing in Washington will allow him to at least find a permanent gig for one year.

Commanders To Trade For Browns K Cade York, Waive K Riley Patterson

August 22nd, 2024 at 9:12am CST by Adam La Rose

Known to be on the lookout for a change at the kicker position, the Commanders have a pair of moves in place. Washington is trading for Cade York, sending the Browns a conditional seventh-round pick, SI’s Albert Breer reports.

In a corresponding move, the Commanders have released Riley Patterson. That leaves York as the only kicker on Washington’s roster with the start of the regular season looming. The 2022 Browns draftee connected on 75% of his field goal attempts during his rookie season, suggesting he could remain in place over the long term. Struggles last offseason led Cleveland to bring in Dustin Hopkins as competition, however, and the veteran handled kicking duties in 2023.

Hopkins exceled during his debut Browns campaign, and he landed a three-year, $15.3MM extension last month. Cleveland wanted to keep York in the fold last year, and the team’s decision to bring him back this offseason proved that was still the case. Instead of risking the former fourth-rounder on waivers again, though, the Browns have elected to take back minimal draft compensation while moving forward with only Hopkins in place for the time being.

The Commanders had Brandon McManus in the fold earlier this offseason, but allegations of sexual assault made in a civil suit dating back to his time with the Jaguars led to Washington releasing him. That move was followed by the signing of Ramiz Ahmed, who entered training camp as the lone kicker on the roster. Patterson was claimed off waivers at the end of July, though, which led to Ahmed’s release.

Patterson, 24, has seen game action with three teams in his brief NFL career despite going 53-for-59 on field goals to date. He struggled in the Commanders’ first two preseason contests, however, leading head coach Dan Quinn to state another move was being targeted. With one more exhibition contest on the slate, York will have a small window of opportunity to earn the Week 1 gig.

The LSU alum spent time on the Titans’ and Giants’ practice squads last year, but he was not used in the regular season. York’s return to Cleveland has proven to be short-lived, but this Commanders deal will allow him to find a full-time position for the 2024 campaign provided he does not disappoint in the build-up to the season. If he does, Washington’s willingness to move on from kickers quickly would make another change at the position a distinct possibility.

Browns To Bring Back K Cade York

March 23rd, 2024 at 8:13pm CST by Adam La Rose

After one season spent outside of Cleveland, Cade York is coming back to the team which drafted him. The former fifth-round kicker is re-signing with the Browns, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com reports.

York was drafted by the Browns in 2022, and he held down the full-time kicking gig during his rookie campaign. He connected on only 75% of his attempts that year, and followed it up with a poor outing in training camp and the preseason. It thus came as little surprise when Cleveland traded for Dustin Hopkins in advance of roster cutdowns and waived York.

While the Browns intended to keep the 23-year-old in the organization via the practice squad, he joined the Titans’ taxi squad upon clearing waivers. York did not see any action in Tennessee, however, and in November he signed with the Giants in a move which seemed to give him the opportunity to fill in for an injured Graham Gano. An injury suffered by York at the same time as Randy Bullock forced New York to sign Mason Crosby, keeping him off the field entirely in 2023.

Hopkins – who kicked in 15 games with Cleveland before suffering a hamstring injury – is still under contract for one more season. None of his $3.06MM in compensation is guaranteed, though, so the Browns would not incur any dead money by moving on from him this offseason. By re-acquiring York, Cleveland will be able to hold a kicking competition throughout the summer.

Hopkins went 33-for-36 on field goal tries last season, good for a career-high accuracy rate of 91.7%. The 33-year-old also missed only two extra point attempts, so he should be expected to be the favorite for the kicking position ahead of the 2024 campaign. With York back in the fold, though, the latter will have the chance to win back his spot from 2022.

Giants Sign K Mason Crosby

December 22nd, 2023 at 4:40pm CST by Adam La Rose

Dealing with another injury situation at the kicker position, the Giants have again turned to a veteran. Mason Crosby has joined New York’s practice squad in advance of playing this week, as first reported by Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. The team has since announced the move.

Randy Bullock – himself brought in as an injury replacement for Graham Gano – was placed on injured reserve yesterday. Bullock’s injury paved the way for a third full-time kicker seeing game time for the Giants this season, which appeared to put Cade York in position to join the active roster. The latter suffered an injury of his own during practice this week, though, and York has been placed on practice squad IR.

Once again in need of a healthy option, the Giants will look to Crosby to close out the season. The 39-year-old joined the Rams midseason amidst their struggles in the kicking game, but he did not see any game action. Crosby was released from Los Angeles’ taxi squad last week, leaving him free to join any interested team.

A new opportunity has arisen via New York’s continued bad luck in terms of kicking injuries. Crosby has not played since his Packers tenure came to an end last season. 2022 marked the 16th season Crosby spent in Green Bay, but the team elected to draft his replacement (Anders Carlson) this spring. The former Super Bowl winner made it clear he intended to keep playing in 2023, however, and he will now have the chance to do so.

The 5-8 Giants will play the Eagles on Christmas Day while attempting to keep their playoff chances alive. Crosby will likely have the opportunity to finish out the season with the Giants and look to build off his 86.2% field goal success rate in 2022 (which marked a noticeable rebound from his 73.5% mark the previous year). Since punter Jamie Gillan made one field goal after Bullock’s injury, Crosby will be New York’s fourth kicker this year.

York was let go by the Browns following his struggles in training camp and the preseason. The 2022 fourth-rounder initially joined the Titans, but his move to the Giants seemed to set him up well for an opportunity in the wake of Gano being lost for the year. His young career has now hit another roadblock, as the Giants prepare to move forward with Crosby for the time being.

Giants Shuffle Kickers On Roster

November 24th, 2023 at 6:53pm CST by Ely Allen

When Giants kicker Graham Gano suffered a knee injury that would require surgery and a stint on injured reserve, the team made two moves to cover their bases. First, New York added veteran journeyman kicker Randy Bullock to their practice squad and, second, they signed second-year kicker Cade York off of the Titans’ practice squad to their active roster.

Despite having York on the active roster, requiring no transactions for him to play, the Giants opted to instead use one of their two weekly practice squad elevations on Bullock for each of the past three weeks. So far, so good for Bullock who has yet to miss a kick in game action. After not being asked to even attempt a kick in his first elevation, Bullock has gone 6-for-6 on extra points and 2-for-2 on field goals in the two games since, with a long of 40 yards.

Now, the NFL’s practice squad elevation rules mandate that a player can only be elevated three times on their practice squad contract. If the Giants were hoping to utilize Bullock in any more game action, they would have to sign him to the active roster. The team signaled such a move was coming when they waived York two days ago.

Now without a kicker on the active roster, New York has officially made the move of signing Bullock to the 53-man squad, according to Pat Leonard of NY Dailey News Sports. In addition, they signed York back to the team on a practice squad contract, effectively swapping the two kickers’ positions on the roster.

New York now has the ability to play Bullock without needing to elevate him each week, and York, who hadn’t made an in-game appearance during his three weeks on the active roster, is no longer using up a precious roster spot while remaining inactive. It’s unclear if Gano has a chance of returning from knee surgery this year, but in the meantime, Bullock has done a good job filling in and should continue to do so.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/22/23

November 22nd, 2023 at 7:01pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s minor transactions and gameday callups heading into Week 12 of the NFL season:

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Detroit Lions

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

New York Giants

New York Jets

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Washington Commanders

Smith’s tenure on the Raiders lasted about three weeks after he was signed off of the Saints’ practice squad. The Raiders immediately plugged him in hoping that he would improve a unit struggling to defend the run. After his initial game in Vegas, though, Smith was inactive for the next two games. Whether due to injuries or ineffectiveness, Smith no longer warranted a roster spot with the Raiders.

The Jets signed Kelly in the midst of a litany of offensive line injuries. Kelly is an established veteran with a good amount of starting experience, but even with all the opportunities provided due to injury, Kelly couldn’t quite crack the rotation and now finds himself without a roster spot.

Giants Sign Randy Bullock, Place Graham Gano On IR; Cade York Added From Titans’ Practice Squad

November 3rd, 2023 at 10:30am CST by Sam Robinson

NOVEMBER 3: In addition to Bullock, the Giants have signed Cade York, head coach Brian Daboll announced on Friday. As ESPN’s Jordan Raanan notes, the pair will have a brief competition to determine the team’s kicker in Week 9. York was drafted in the fourth round last year by the Browns, but his struggles in training camp and the preseason this summer led to Cleveland waiving him. The 22-year-old quickly joined the Titans’ practice squad, but this move to New York’s active roster will give him the opportunity to win a full-time gig in Gano’s absence.

NOVEMBER 2: Graham Gano has given the Giants some kicker stability during the 2020s, but the team will need to pivot to another option soon. Gano’s knee injury will sideline him for a while.

The recently extended kicker is set to undergo knee surgery and will land on IR, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, who adds the team will replace Gano with Randy Bullock. The veteran kicker joined Mason Crosby, Robbie Gould and Matthew Wright in working out for the Giants on Thursday, per ex-Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes.

Bullock, whom ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter notes will initially join the Giants’ practice squad, has not kicked in a game this season. Amid a February salary purge, the Titans released Bullock. But he will bring 10 years’ experience to the Giants. Bullock, 33, kicked for the Titans for the past two seasons. While Bullock has bounced around the league, the Thursday signing will mark a reunion. During his 2010s travels, Bullock stopped through New York in 2016, kicking in one game with the Giants.

Gano signed a three-year, $16.5MM Giants extension in September; the 36-year-old specialist has been the Giants’ kicker since 2020. Gano acknowledged recently he will need surgery at some point. Rather than playing through this issue any longer, Gano will go under the knife soon.

The veteran kicker is coming off a two-miss performance in an ugly Giants loss to the Giants; the second of those misses came from 35 yards out. Gano, who also missed a 47-yarder in Week 8, could have effectively sealed a Giants win by making the shorter try late in the fourth quarter. The Jets instead rallied back to tie the game and force overtime, winning in the extra period. The former Washington and Carolina kicker had hoped to finish out the season and then undergo surgery, per Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano, but the Jets outing appears to have changed plans.

On the season, Gano is just 11-for-17. The Giants guaranteed the 15th-year veteran $11.34MM at signing, providing an opportunity for the incumbent to reclaim his job once recovered. For now, Bullock will receive another chance. The former Texans fifth-round pick has kicked for six teams, also suiting up for the Bengals, Steelers and Jets during his run. The Giants stopover, which came in Week 1 of the 2016 season when Josh Brown served a one-game suspension, occurred as Bullock bounced around during the 2016 and ’17 seasons. Beyond those two slates, he served as a steady option in Houston, Cincinnati and Tennessee.

Bullock finished his two Titans seasons with 84% and 85% field goal accuracy rates. He is not necessarily known for prolific long-range success, having not made more than three 50-plus-yard field goals in a season since 2014. But the Giants preferred Bullock to Wright and the more experienced options they brought in Thursday.

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