Eddy Pineiro is the latest leg in the Jets’ special teams drama
The New York Jets‘ special teams soap opera continued on Monday, as the team announced the signing of kicker Eddy Pineiro. Formerly of Chicago, Pineiro is set to be the third kicker the Jets use this season, taking over for the released Alex Kessman.
We've signed K Eddy Piñeiro and released K Alex Kessman.
— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 6, 2021
Pineiro is perhaps best known for succeeding Cody Parkey in the Bears’ kicking role after the latter’s infamous “Double Doink” incident at the end of the 2019 NFC Wild Card playoffs. He converted 23 of his 28 field goal attempts during the ensuing season, notably earning NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors after earning a game-winning, 53-yard field goal that created the winning margin of a 16-14 win over Denver.
A groin injury kept Pineiro out for the whole 2020 season and he would later spend time on the rosters of Indianapolis and Washington.
Prior to his NFL entry, Pineiro spent time at the University of Florida, becoming the most accurate kicker in program history (88.4 percent over two seasons). Pineiro is also responsible for some international history, as he’s the first player of Nicaraguan descent to play in the NFL.
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The Jets (3-9) certainly hope that Pineiro will become the long-sought answer to the kicking woes that have plagued them since Pro Bowler Jason Myers left for Seattle after the 2018 season. Pineiro will become the seventh kicker the Jets have used in the regular season over the past three years.
Kessman, making his NFL debut after starring at Pitt, was the most recent departure from that list. Replacing Matt Ammendola, Kessman missed two extra points in the first half. He’s the second from the list of cursed legs to last only a single game with the Jets, joining Kaare Vedvik, who missed two kicks during the 2019 season opener against Buffalo.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
