Kicker Transition: Patriots Part Ways with Ryland, Bring in Veteran Slye
In a move that highlights the unforgiving nature of the NFL, the New England Patriots have decided to cut ties with kicker Chad Ryland after just one season. When the Patriots selected Ryland in the NFL Draft, they envisioned him as the cornerstone of their special teams unit. However, Ryland's performance over the course of his rookie season and subsequent training camp failed to meet the team's expectations.
Disappointing Rookie Season
During his first year in the league, Ryland led the Patriots in scoring, accumulating 72 points. However, his field goal accuracy left much to be desired. Ryland converted only 64% of his field goal attempts, successfully hitting just 16 out of 25 kicks. This placed him last in the NFL in terms of field goal percentage. Especially troubling was his performance from beyond 45 yards, where he managed to make just 45.5% of his attempts, successfully converting 5 out of 11 kicks.
Training Camp Struggles
As the Patriots entered training camp, it was clear that Ryland's job was far from secure. The team brought in veteran kicker Joey Slye, who has six years of NFL experience, to provide competition. Slye's camp performance overshadowed Ryland's, making a compelling case for why he should take over the position.
According to reports from 98.5 The Sports Hub in Boston, "Slye outkicked Ryland in camp by hitting nearly 80% of his kicks compared to just 75.9% for Ryland." Slye's success was particularly notable from long range; during camp, he converted eight of nine kicks between 50 and 59 yards. In contrast, Ryland managed just three of seven attempts from the same distance.
A Veteran's Journey
Slye's professional journey has been notable for its breadth and variety. Starting his NFL career with the Carolina Panthers, he spent two years there before moving on to the Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers, and Washington Commanders over the course of 2021. Slye's tenure with the Commanders lasted two-and-a-half seasons before they opted to let him go in free agency.
The Patriots are now the sixth team in Slye's six-year career. His extensive experience and consistent performance in training camp ultimately tipped the scales in his favor, leading the organization to make the switch at the kicker position.
The End of an Era
Ryland's release marks the end of a short chapter in New England's storied franchise history. He holds the distinction of being the final kicker drafted by the legendary Bill Belichick. Despite the promise he initially showed, Ryland could not secure his place on the team, making way for Slye's arrival.
With the start of the NFL season fast approaching, all eyes will be on the Patriots' special teams unit to see if Slye can carry his training camp momentum into the regular season. His performance will be crucial for a Patriots team looking to return to its winning ways.
The decision to move on from a young prospect like Ryland underscores the high stakes and rapid pace of professional football. Teams must constantly assess and reassess talent, making difficult decisions that they believe will offer the best chance of success. For the Patriots, the hope is that Joey Slye will bring the consistency and reliability that eluded Chad Ryland, providing the team with a crucial edge in closely contested games.