Greg Zuerlein’s days as the New York Jets kicker could be numbered.
The team have plenty of issues heading into their Thursday Night Football match-up with the Houston Texans, as their 2-6 record shows.
Veteran kicker Zuerlein has struggled for the Jets this seasonGetty
But if veteran Zuerlein was on form, things might be looking a little bit different.
The Jets have lost three games this season by small margins, and if their kicker had converted in the moments he missed, there’s an argument to suggest they could be 5-3 instead.
In Sunday’s 25-22 loss to the Patriots, Zuerlein missed an extra point and a 44-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.
He also missed two critical field goals against the Buffalo Bills in a 23-20 defeat, and one against the Denver Broncos when the Jets were beaten 10-9.
In total, Zuerlein has missed six field goals this season, the most of any kicker in the league.
Suggesting the Jets would be in a better place had he converted some of those kicks is all hypothetical, of course, but it shows there is a fine line between success and failure.
And it now seems interim coach Jeff Ulbrich might be ready to give someone else an opportunity.
The Jets will be holding kicker tryouts on Tuesday at MetLife Stadium, before making a decision for Thursday’s game against the Texans.
“We’re exploring all the options right now,” Ulbrich said when asked what the kicker tryout means for Zuerlein.
“So we’re going to bring the kickers in for a workout, see where they stand and make a decision after that.”
Zuerlein missed a crucial field goal in the defeat to the Patriots last weekGetty
Despite bringing in some competition, Ulbrich was quick to clarify that the decision does not mean the Jets are questioning the effort of their veteran kicker.
“In my opinion accountability is controlling the controllables, his lack of making kicks is not a byproduct of lack of work, not putting the time in, not devoting himself in every way to the process of trying to get it right,” Ulbrich added.
“Accountability to me is not always just the results, it’s the process… there is no part of me that could ever question his process.
“He is as professional as it comes.”
Zuerlein’s performances this season were always going to draw attention after he was handed a new contract and a raise back in March.
He agreed to a two-year deal worth $8.4 million after quarterback Aaron Rodgers urged Jets’ management to sign him and veteran punter Thomas Morstead.
The Jets are holding kicker tryouts this weekGetty
“Those are weapons. I’d like to see those guys back,” he said of the pair.
But the Jets also had a decision to make in preseason, when Zuerlein and back-up kicker Austin Seibert were locked in a battle for the spot.
They decided to stick with their veteran, and Seibert was released in August.
Seibert, released by the Jets, has one of the best kicking records in the NFL for the Commanders this seasonGetty
He has since gone on to join the Washington Commanders and in week 2, he was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week after kicking a franchise-record seven field goals in his debut.
So far this season, he has made 23 of 25 field goal attempts (92%), making him the second best kicker in the NFL behind
Chris Boswell, who leads with a 95.8% success rate.
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