When Chad Ryland was selected by the New England Patriots in the NFL Draft, there was a sense of hope and expectation. Selected to be the kicker of the future, Ryland's rookie season ended up being a challenging journey punctuated by unmet potential and inconsistency.
After just one year, the Patriots have decided to move on from Ryland. Despite leading the team in scoring with 72 points, his on-field performance left much to be desired. Ryland's 64% conversion rate on field goals, hitting only 16 of 25 attempts, placed him at the bottom of the NFL in terms of field goal percentage.
Particularly troubling was his performance on long-distance kicks. Ryland converted only 45.5% of his attempts from beyond 45 yards, making just 5 out of 11. These statistics spelled doom for the young kicker, prompting the Patriots to take swift action during the offseason.
Veteran Replacement
The Patriots brought in veteran kicker Joey Slye during training camp to inject some stability into their special teams. Slye, with six years of NFL experience, proved to be a reliable alternative. During camp, he outperformed Ryland significantly, hitting nearly 80% of his kicks compared to Ryland's 75.9%.
Slye's consistency extended to long-range attempts as well. During camp, he converted eight of his nine kicks between 50 and 59 yards—a stark contrast to Ryland's three out of seven makes from the same range. These camp performances showcased Slye's reliability and ultimately led to Ryland being released.
A Well-Traveled Veteran
Slye's journey through the NFL has been nothing short of a whirlwind. He spent his first two seasons with the Carolina Panthers before taking on a unique 2021 campaign where he played for three different teams: the Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers, and Washington Commanders. His stint with Washington spanned two-and-a-half seasons until the Commanders allowed him to walk in free agency.
Joining the Patriots marks the sixth team Slye has been a part of in his career. Despite this whirlwind journey, he has demonstrated an ability to adapt and perform under various conditions, an attribute the Patriots clearly value as they head into a new season.
Final Kicker Selected by Belichick
Ryland’s release is especially noteworthy as he is the final kicker drafted by Bill Belichick. This decision indicates a significant shift in strategy and highlights the importance of immediate performance and reliability in the highly competitive landscape of the NFL.
As the NFL season approaches, attention now turns to whether Joey Slye can carry his training camp momentum into the regular season. For the Patriots, a stable kicking game will be crucial, and Slye’s veteran presence will be put to the test.
"Slye outkicked Ryland in camp by hitting nearly 80% of his kicks compared to just 75.9% for Ryland," reports 98.5 The Sports Hub in Boston. This data-driven decision seems not only practical but necessary for an organization that prides itself on consistent special teams play.
ESPN.com concisely summarizes the conclusion of this chapter, stating, "The Patriots have decided to cut ties with Ryland after just one year." This decision closes the book on what was hoped to be a long-term solution and opens a new chapter with Joey Slye.
The stakes are high for the Patriots' special teams unit. With the pressure of regular-season games looming, the focus will be on execution and reliability from their new veteran kicker. If Slye's training camp performance is any indication, the Patriots are placing their bets on a more seasoned and poised presence to solve their kicking woes.