Greg Zuerlein joins the New York Jets’ kicking competition
The New York Jets announced that they have agreed to terms with free-agent kicker Greg Zuerlein.
OFFICIAL: Welcome to New York, Greg!
📰https://t.co/xcKSyMQHYO pic.twitter.com/BfFoM9rwTi
— New York Jets (@nyjets) March 26, 2022
Zuerlein, 34, was a sixth-round pick of the Rams in the 2012 NFL draft. The 10-year veteran played eight seasons with the Rams before joining the Dallas Cowboys for the past two.
Nicknamed “Legatron”, Zuerlein is known for his leg strength above all. He has made 38 field goals from 50+ yards in his career, owning a conversion rate of 55.1% on attempts from 50+ yards out.
Zuerlein also makes use of his strong leg on kickoffs. He produced a touchback on a career-high 80.0% of his kickoffs in 2021. For his career, Zuerlein has created a touchback on 68.2% of his kickoffs.
Extra points were Zuerlein’s weakness in 2021, as he missed six of 48 attempts (87.5% conversion rate).
Overall, Zuerlein owns a career field goal percentage of 82.2%. He was very close to that mark over the past two seasons with Dallas, posting a field goal percentage of 82.9% in both 2020 and 2021.
The Missouri Western State product joins a New York Jets kicking room that features a newly-re-signed Eddy Pineiro along with Matt Ammendola. Pineiro was a restricted free agent and returned to New York on the original-round tender for one year and $2.4 million.
New York is looking to build some stability in its kicking room after dealing with years of ineptitude from the position. Zuerlein might not be a long-term answer as he is set to turn 35 at the end of 2022 (although kickers have proven they can play deep into their 30s and perhaps into their 40s), but at the least, he’ll provide worthy competition for the two younger players the Jets already have in place.
