When the New England Patriots selected Chad Ryland in the NFL Draft, the expectation was that he would be the franchise's long-term solution at kicker. However, after just one year, the Patriots have opted to part ways with Ryland. The decision comes on the heels of what can only be described as a tumultuous rookie season for the young kicker.
During his first year in the NFL, Ryland led the Patriots in scoring, amassing 72 points. Despite this scoring output, his performance in field goals left much to be desired. Ryland converted a mere 64% of his attempts, successfully hitting only 16 out of 25 field goals. This placed Ryland last in the NFL in terms of field goal percentage.
Ryland's struggles were particularly glaring on long-distance kicks. He managed to make just 45.5% of his kicks from beyond 45 yards, converting only 5 of 11 attempts. This inconsistency led the Patriots to explore other options, bringing in veteran kicker Joey Slye during training camp.
Slye's Impact
Joey Slye, who has six years of NFL experience, quickly proved to be a significant upgrade during training camp. He outkicked Ryland by hitting nearly 80% of his kicks compared to just 75.9% for Ryland. Slye's performance was even more impressive from long range. During camp, he converted eight of nine kicks between 50 and 59 yards, while Ryland struggled, hitting just three of seven from that distance.
Slye's journey in the NFL has been a nomadic one. He spent his first two years with the Carolina Panthers before playing for three different teams in 2021: the Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers, and Washington Commanders. Slye's tenure in Washington spanned two-and-a-half seasons until the Commanders decided to let him walk in free agency. The Patriots are now the sixth team that Slye has joined in his six-year career.
The Future of Patriots' Special Teams
With the NFL season fast approaching, all eyes will be on the Patriots' special teams to see if Slye can carry his training camp momentum into the regular season. Despite his itinerant career, Slye brings a level of experience and reliability that the Patriots sorely lacked with Ryland. As the final kicker drafted by Bill Belichick, Ryland's departure marks the end of an era and a pivot towards more seasoned talent in the kicking game.
According to 98.5 The Sports Hub in Boston, "Slye outkicked Ryland in camp by hitting nearly 80% of his kicks compared to just 75.9% for Ryland." This performance undoubtedly played a significant role in the Patriots' decision-making process. As espn.com reported, "The Patriots have decided to cut ties with Ryland after just one year."
Ryland's brief tenure with the Patriots serves as a cautionary tale about the unpredictability of drafting special teams players. Despite his promising start, the young kicker could not maintain the consistency and accuracy required at the professional level. The Patriots' decision to bring in and ultimately retain Joey Slye reflects a pragmatic approach as they aim to shore up one of the most critical facets of the game.
As the season gets underway, fans and analysts alike will be watching to see if Slye can provide the stability and performance that the Patriots need. Should he succeed, it could cement his place in New England and bring much-needed reliability to the team's special teams unit. For Ryland, the journey in the NFL continues, albeit with the harsh lesson that professional football is an unforgiving arena where only the best can thrive.