The New York Jets’ kicker position remains a fixture in the news cycle.
New York is tabbing its third kicker in as many weeks going into this Sunday’s game in Arizona. According to Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich, Spencer Shrader will likely kick for New York against the Cardinals. The Jets have also released kicker Riley Patterson from the active roster.
Visit our New York Jets News page to stay updated on the latest happenings.
The Jets also signed kicker Anders Carlson to their practice squad.
After Greg Zuerlein missed an NFL-high six field goals through the team’s first eight games, New York placed Zuerlein on injured reserve (knee) and tabbed Patterson to kick for them in Week 9 against the Houston Texans. Patterson did not attempt any field goals, but he made all three of his extra points, although one of them banked off the upright.
Shrader signed to the Jets’ practice squad ahead of the Week 9 game, emerging alongside Patterson from a field of multiple free agents who competed to replace Zuerlein. The 25-year-old rookie initially signed with the Colts as an undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame, and after a perfect preseason (2/2 FG, 4/4 XP), Shrader made the team’s practice squad entering the regular season.
Shrader appeared in one game for Indianapolis to replace an injured Matt Gay, making all three of his extra points and attempting zero field goals. He was released by the Colts on October 16, landing with the Jets two weeks later.
The Lithia, Fla. native spent his first four college seasons at South Florida, making just 28-of-41 field goal attempts (68.3%) and 99% of his extra point attempts. Shrader transfered to Notre Dame in 2023, making 15-of-22 field goal attempts (68.2%) and 98.4% of his extra point attempts.
Shrader has significant questions to answer about his accuracy, but he should provide the Jets with an upgrade in kicking power compared to Patterson. Shrader made a 56-yard field goal in the preseason and went 4-of-7 on 50+ yard attempts in his 2023 season with the Fighting Irish. Patterson’s career long in the NFL is just 53 yards, and in 40 career games, he’s just 3-of-6 from 50+ yards.
The difference in power translates to kickoffs, too. In his lone game with the Jets, Patterson failed to kick a touchback on four attempts. Shrader went 5-for-5 on touchbacks in his lone regular season game with the Colts.
If he gets the nod, Shrader will be the first rookie to kick for the Jets since Alex Kessman in 2021.
