Two years ago, the New York Jets had the best collection of special teams stars in the league. Greg Zuerlein and Thomas Morstead had career years during the 2023 campaign for Gang Green.
Then 2024 happened.
Zuerlein went through one of the worst seasons of his career, Morstead struggled with key punting requirements, and New York’s season was sunk in large part due to their failings.
It wasn’t a surprise that new Jets head coach Aaron Glenn and special teams coordinator Chris Banjo chose to revamp their kicker and punter positions this year.
What may be a surprise is that the team’s potential solution to the kicking role is with an old friend.
Nick Folk Shines in Camp Return
At the start of training camp, it was quite clear that the kickers competing for a role weren’t getting the job done. Instead of waiting to see if either player could step up, the Jets simply signed someone different.
Someone Jets fans are very familiar with.
Nick Folk may be 40 years old, but he is coming off two successful seasons with the Tennessee Titans. He spent seven seasons with the Jets during the Rex Ryan era, and even hit a game-winning field goal against the Indianapolis Colts in the 2010-11 playoffs.
Folk is back, and he’s off to a good start in camp. During Thursday’s practice, Folk made all six of his field goal attempts, with two coming from beyond 50 yards out.
It was just proof of what Banjo has known for a long time watching Folk’s consistency.
“If you look at him just over the last two years specifically, obviously he’s had a long, long run, but if you look at him the last two years and what he’s been able to do in the situations he’s been able to do it in,” Banjo said. “I think that speaks volumes.”
Banjo wasn’t a part of New York’s struggles on special teams last year, but it’s hard to ignore how bad things got for the Jets.
“I don’t think it’s a secret in regards to what this building kind of went through from a kicking perspective last year,” Banjo said. “So, anytime you can get somebody like that, that’s still available, I think that can end up helping the team in taking a step in the right direction.”
There’s no guarantee that Folk will be the kind of kicking hero fans are hoping for. It is always difficult to predict how aging kickers will look once they go over 40 years old.
After just a few practices, though, it’s clear that the Pro Bowler is ready for another go in New York.