New England Patriots Release Rookie Kicker Chad Ryland After Just One Season
The New England Patriots have made a significant change to their special teams unit, opting to release rookie kicker Chad Ryland after just one season. When the Patriots selected Ryland in the NFL Draft, they envisioned him as their kicker of the future. Unfortunately, his performance over the past year did not live up to the organization's expectations.
Ryland finished his rookie season leading the Patriots in scoring with 72 points. However, his field goal accuracy was alarmingly low, hitting only 64% of his attempts by converting just 16 out of 25 field goals. This placed him last in the NFL in terms of field goal percentage. Particularly troubling was Ryland's performance from beyond 45 yards, where he managed to convert just 5 of 11 attempts, a mere 45.5% success rate.
In response to these struggles, the Patriots brought in veteran kicker Joey Slye during training camp. Slye, who has six years of NFL experience, showcased his superior kicking abilities in camp. Reports indicated that "Slye outkicked Ryland in camp by hitting nearly 80% of his kicks compared to just 75.9% for Ryland" (98.5 The Sports Hub in Boston).
Slye's performance in training camp left a strong impression, especially with his long-distance kicking. He converted eight out of nine kicks between 50 and 59 yards, a stark contrast to Ryland's three out of seven conversions from the same range.
Joey Slye's NFL journey has been a winding one. He began his career with the Carolina Panthers, where he played for his first two seasons. In 2021, he found himself on three different teams: the Houston Texans, the San Francisco 49ers, and the 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 have now become the sixth team Slye has joined in his six-year career. His experience and consistent performance in training camp appear to have earned him the nod from the Patriots' coaching staff as they head into the new season. The pressure will be on Slye to carry his training camp momentum into the regular season and provide the stability that the Patriots' special teams unit sorely needs.
It's worth noting that Ryland is the final kicker to be drafted by the legendary Bill Belichick, adding a sense of poignancy to his release. The decision to part ways with the young kicker after just one year illustrates the high standards and immediate impact expected within the Patriots organization.
As the NFL season fast approaches, all eyes will be on the Patriots' special teams performance. With the veteran Slye now in place, the expectation is clear: a significant improvement in field goal accuracy. This high-stakes environment leaves no room for error, making the transition from Ryland to Slye a critical storyline for the Patriots this season.