When the New England Patriots selected Chad Ryland in the NFL Draft, the anticipation was that he would be the franchise's kicker for years to come. With only one season in the books and an overall lackluster performance, the Patriots organization has decided to move in a different direction.
During his rookie season, Ryland managed to lead the team in scoring, amassing a total of 72 points. However, his consistency and accuracy were brought into question as he converted only 64% of his field goal attempts. Out of 25 attempts, Ryland made just 16, placing him at the bottom of the NFL in field goal percentage. His performance from beyond 45 yards was particularly problematic, hitting only 45.5% of his kicks, successfully making 5 out of 11 attempts.
A New Competition: Enter Joey Slye
During the recent training camp, the Patriots brought in veteran kicker Joey Slye to compete with Ryland. Slye, who has six years of NFL experience, quickly established himself as a formidable competitor. He outkicked Ryland by a noticeable margin, converting nearly 80% of his kicks compared to Ryland’s 75.9% success rate. In perhaps the most telling statistic from camp, Slye converted eight of nine kicks between 50 and 59 yards, while Ryland managed to hit just three out of seven from the same distance.
Slye's journey in the NFL has been one of perseverance and adaptation. He began his career with the Carolina Panthers, where he played for two years. In 2021, Slye demonstrated his adaptability by playing for three different teams: the Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers, and Washington Commanders. His tenure with the Commanders lasted two-and-a-half seasons until they chose to let him walk in free agency. The Patriots mark the sixth team Slye has joined in his six-year career, indicating his resilience and determination to find a stable role.
End of an Era for Ryland
Ryland’s release signals the end of an era for the Patriots, as he was the final kicker drafted by Bill Belichick. The decision to cut ties with Ryland after just one year is reflective of the high-stakes and performance-driven nature of the NFL. As noted by ESPN, "The Patriots have decided to cut ties with Ryland after just one year," emphasizing the short leash given to players, even those drafted with high expectations.
The focus now shifts to Joey Slye and whether he can translate his impressive training camp performance into the regular season. With the NFL season fast approaching, the Patriots' special teams unit will be under intense scrutiny. The pressure will be on Slye to maintain his form and provide the reliability that Ryland struggled to deliver. As echoed by 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."
For the Patriots, the hope is that Slye's experience and accuracy will address the inconsistencies that plagued their kicking game last season. The move underscores the organization's commitment to fielding a competitive team and making tough decisions in pursuit of excellence.
As the season unfolds, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Slye performs under the bright lights of the regular season. For now, the Patriots have placed their trust in a veteran leg, and all eyes will be on Slye to see if he can carry his training camp momentum into meaningful games.