Jets release kicker Chris Naggar
The New York Jets waived kicker Chris Naggar on Monday. His departure leaves Matt Ammendola as the only kicker on the team’s roster.
The #Jets have waived K Chris Naggar.
— NYJ Communications (@NYJetsPR) August 16, 2021
Naggar joined the Jets in May after spending his college career at Texas and Southern Methodist. He led the American Athletic Conference in points (94), field goals made (17), and conversion rate (81 percent) last season with the Mustangs.
Naggar was the primary kicker in the Jets’ 12-7 preseason win over the New York Giants on Saturday night, converting a 30-yard field goal to open scoring before missing a 53-yard attempt in the second half.
Ammendola, who converted the Jets’ lone extra point try on the evening after La’Mical Perine’s touchdown, is set to take over the kicker’s role on a full-time basis, provided the team doesn’t reignite the competition through another free agent signing.
Ammendola converted 77 percent of his field goal attempts in a four-year career at Oklahoma State, finishing in the top three in Big 12 scoring in each of his last three collegiate seasons (2017-19). He briefly spent time with the Carolina Panthers before joining the Jets in July.
Including Ammendola, the Jets have been through eight different kickers, including preseason names, in an attempt to replace Pro Bowler Jason Myers, who left for Seattle after a record-breaking 2018 season.
New York returns to preseason action on Saturday night, when it hits the road to take on the Green Bay Packers (4:25 p.m. ET, WLNY/NFL Network).
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
