When the New England Patriots selected Chad Ryland in the NFL Draft, they envisioned him as their kicker of the future. A year can make a world of difference in the NFL, and the Patriots have decided to part ways with Ryland after a lackluster rookie season.
During his initial year with the team, Ryland led the Patriots in scoring, accumulating 72 points. However, his performance on the field fell short of expectations, converting just 64% of his field goals. Specifically, Ryland made 16 out of 25 attempts, placing him last in the NFL in terms of field goal percentage.
Ryland's struggles were particularly evident in his attempts beyond 45 yards, where he hit only 45.5% of his kicks, converting 5 out of 11. These figures were a stark contrast to the hopes the Patriots held for their young kicker.
A Competitive Training Camp
In an effort to bolster their special teams, the Patriots brought in veteran kicker Joey Slye during training camp. Slye, with six years of NFL experience, showcased his prowess, hitting nearly 80% of his kicks. In contrast, Ryland converted 75.9% of his kicks during the same period.
Slye's performance was particularly notable in longer-distance attempts. He converted eight of nine kicks between 50 and 59 yards during camp. Ryland, on the other hand, made only three out of seven attempts from the same range. These statistics underscored the significant gap between the two kickers during training camp.
Slye's Journeyman Career
Joey Slye's career in the NFL has been anything but static. He spent his first two years with the Carolina Panthers before moving on to a whirlwind 2021 season, playing for the Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers, and Washington Commanders. His tenure with Washington lasted two-and-a-half seasons until they decided to let him walk in free agency.
The Patriots are the sixth team Slye has joined in his six-year career. His journeyman status has not deterred him from maintaining a high level of performance, as evidenced by his recent training camp showing.
Final Decisions and Future Prospects
Ultimately, the Patriots determined that Slye's experience and performance offered them the best chance to stabilize their kicking game. As reported by ESPN, "The Patriots have decided to cut ties with Ryland after just one year."
With the NFL season imminent, all eyes will be on the Patriots' special teams to see if Slye can translate his training camp momentum into regular-season success. The stakes are high, and the pressure is on for the veteran kicker to solidify his place on the team and justify the Patriots' decision to move on from Ryland, the final kicker drafted under head coach Bill Belichick's tenure.
As the season unfolds, the Patriots' decision to embrace experience over potential will be put to the test. The team's journey will be closely watched, with Joey Slye at the center of attention in one of the most critical roles on the field.