One of the New York Jets’ waiver claims was kicker Blake Grupe following Jason Sanders’ shaky end to the preseason.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, head coach Aaron Glenn shared that it is a “competition” between Sanders and Grupe, but the roster situation remains “fluid.”
Grupe, 27, recently lost the Indianapolis Colts’ preseason kicking competition to Spencer Shrader. While he hit both of his extra points, he missed two of his four field goal attempts, coming from 36 and 61 yards.
Throughout 50 regular-season games in his three NFL seasons, Grupe has drilled 86 of 105 field goals (81.9%) and 96 of 98 extra-point attempts (98%), while his career long is 60 yards.
Grupe is an interesting case. While he hit seven field goals from 50+ yards in 2025, which were the ninth-most among kickers, he missed five attempts from within 50 yards.
Sanders was consistent with the Miami Dolphins for the first eight seasons of his career, converting 84.6% of his field goal attempts, including 27 straight in 2024, which set a franchise record. However, a hip injury wiped out his entire 2025 season; perhaps it could still be affecting him.
During the Jets’ preseason finale, Sanders missed an extra point and left a 54-yard attempt short, which was alarming. Missing extra points is inexcusable, and not having enough distance from 54 yards is not effective in the modern-day NFL, where top kickers can consistently hit from 60.
While the Jets’ plan at kicker to begin the season remains unknown, it had better be the right one. Gang Green can’t afford to lose games due to erratic kicking in 2026.
