The Jets can have a kicking competitors as soon as coaching camp begins in July.
On Friday, Gang Inexperienced launched veteran kicker Greg Zuerlein after three seasons with the group.
The transfer isn’t an enormous shock after the group additionally launched punter Thomas Morstead earlier this week.
Zuerlein, 37, was probably the most productive gamers throughout his first two seasons with the Jets. In 2022, he was profitable on 30-of-37 of his subject targets and 28-of-29 further factors. He adopted that up with an excellent higher season in 2023 (35-of-38 on subject targets and 15-of-16 further factors).
That success led to the Jets giving Zuerlein a two-year, $8.4 million contract, together with $4.2 million in ensures final 12 months, which was the biggest contract the Jets have ever given a kicker.
Nonetheless, he had a depressing 2024 season.
Zuerlein made solely 9-of-15 makes an attempt final season — a 60% conversion charge, which was a career-low. He missed a possible sport winner from 50 yards within the closing seconds in a one-point loss to the Broncos in Week 4. He was additionally unsuccessful from 32 and 43 yards in a three-point loss in opposition to the Payments in Week 6.
The Jets positioned Zuerlein on injured reserve final October after he suffered a knee damage. They activated him off injured reserve on Dec. 20, and Zuerlein returned to observe. Nonetheless, he was positioned on injured reserve once more on Dec. 28 forward of the Jets’ Week 17 sport in opposition to the Payments and missed the remainder of the season.
After releasing Zuerlein, the Jets will take a $2.3 million useless cash wage cap hit and add $2.42 million in cap financial savings. He was on account of make $4.1 million within the closing 12 months of his contract.
The Jets, below first-year coach Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey, have been on a youth motion this offseason. Along with Morstead, the Jets have additionally dumped Aaron Rodgers, extensive receiver Davante Adams, and linebacker C.J. Mosley.
Gang Inexperienced at the moment has two kickers on its roster: rookie Caden Davis and Anders Carlson. After Zuerlein went down, Carlson transformed 8-of-10 subject targets for the Jets final season.
In a corresponding transfer, the Jets signed defensive finish Michael Fletcher, who performed in faculty at Michigan State and Appalachian State.
