When the New England Patriots selected Chad Ryland in the NFL Draft, the organization envisioned him as their kicker of the future. However, the Patriots have opted to cut ties with Ryland after just one tumultuous year. The decision came after a rookie season where expectations and reality starkly diverged.
A Promising Start Tarnished by Performance
During his inaugural year with the Patriots, Ryland led the team in scoring, amassing 72 points. Yet, despite this statistical highlight, Ryland faced significant struggles in consistency and accuracy. He managed to convert only 64% of his field goals, hitting 16 out of 25 attempts. This placed him last in the NFL in terms of field goal percentage—a glaring red flag for any professional kicker.
Furthermore, Ryland's performance on long-range attempts was particularly worrisome. He succeeded in making a mere 45.5% of his kicks from beyond 45 yards, converting just 5 of 11 attempts. These numbers painted a sobering picture, leading the Patriots to reconsider their initial investment.
Veteran Competition
As training camp approached, the Patriots brought in veteran kicker Joey Slye, a seasoned professional with six years of NFL experience. Slye’s diverse career began with the Carolina Panthers and included stints with the Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers, and Washington Commanders. Most recently, his tenure in Washington spanned two-and-a-half seasons until the Commanders decided to part ways in free agency.
Slye, joining his sixth NFL team, didn’t take long to make an impression in New England. His performance during training camp was decisively superior. Slye outkicked Ryland by hitting nearly 80% of his attempts compared to just 75.9% for Ryland. In particular, Slye demonstrated remarkable long-distance skill, converting eight of nine kicks between 50 and 59 yards, contrasting sharply with Ryland’s three of seven.
The comparison during camp was stark. Slye’s consistent accuracy and experience provided a compelling case for a seasoned leg over an unsteady rookie. 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."
End of the Road for Ryland
Ultimately, the Patriots decided to sever ties with Ryland, a decision framed by ESPN.com’s straightforward declaration: "The Patriots have decided to cut ties with Ryland after just one year." This move marks a significant shift as Ryland is the final kicker drafted by the esteemed head coach Bill Belichick, underscoring the high stakes and rigorous standards of the organization.
For Patriots fans, the upcoming season will now hinge on whether Slye can transfer his training camp momentum into regular season success. Given his track record, Slye's performance will be closely watched by both the coaching staff and the fanbase, hopeful that stability in the kicking game will translate into positive results on the scoreboard.
The decision to switch kickers after just one year is emblematic of the high-pressure, results-driven nature of professional football. Slye’s addition brings the hope of reliability and expertise to the Patriots' special teams unit, and with the NFL season fast approaching, all eyes will be on whether he can solidify his place as the kicker New England needs.
The narrative of Chad Ryland and Joey Slye is one of contrasting trajectories—one a struggling rookie, the other a seasoned veteran. As the Patriots move forward, the chapter with Ryland closes, and a new one with Slye begins, marking another turn in the ever-evolving world of NFL special teams.