The New York Jets are back in search of a new kicker.
According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the Kansas City Chiefs have signed rookie Spencer Shrader from the Jets’ practice squad. The Chiefs needed a kicker after placing star Harrison Butker on injured reserve due to a knee injury.
Jets Left Without Starting Kicker Before Week 11
Shrader served as the Jets’ kicker during their Week 10 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.
Although signed to the practice squad, he was elevated for the game. Despite a rough game overall for the Jets, who lost 31-6 to the Cardinals, Shrader was one of the few bright spots, converting both of his field goal attempts to score the Jets’ only points of the game.
Following the game, Shrader reverted to the practice squad, and the Jets currently lack a kicker on their 53-man roster.
Jets special teams coordinator Brant Boyer praised Shrader’s performance just minutes before news broke that the Chiefs had signed him. “He handled last week’s game really well … The kid’s got a lot of talent,” Boyer noted, per ESPN’s Rich Cimini.
The Jets could have prevented the move by adding Shrader to their 53-man roster last week. However, since they didn’t, Shrader is now Kansas City-bound.
According to Cimini, the Jets did attempt to retain Shrader, offering him a spot on the 53-man roster, but he chose to go to Kansas City to kick for an undefeated team, which is understandable. Cimini added that this could be a short-term role for Shrader, lasting only four games until Butker’s return. Had Shrader stayed with the Jets, he might have had a more extended opportunity.
Jets Set for Unprecedented Kicker Turnover
With Shrader gone, the Jets are now facing their fourth kicker in as many weeks.
Dennis Waszak Jr. of the Associated Press reported on social media that the Jets have only used four kickers in a season once before, in 1979. However, that season’s kickers weren’t used in consecutive games. The last NFL team to use different kickers in four straight games was the 2021 Detroit Lions.
Ironically, two of those 2021 Lions kickers have already suited up for the Jets this year, which might be a sign.
The Jets now have just one kicker, Anders Carlson, who joined the practice squad last week.
Carlson has been consistent this season, going 5-for-5 on field goals, with a long of 55 yards during a stint with the San Francisco 49ers, where he filled in for the injured Jake Moody.
To avoid another scenario like Shrader’s departure, the Jets may consider signing Carlson to the 53-man roster. Another option would be to elevate him from the practice squad for their Week 11 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. However, that would only keep him on the roster temporarily, as he would revert to the practice squad after the game.
The Jets’ kicking issues have plagued them all season. Just when they thought they had found a reliable option in Shrader, he was signed away within the same week. You really can’t make this stuff up.
