When the New England Patriots drafted Chad Ryland, they pegged him as their kicker of the future. However, Ryland's tenure with the Patriots ended abruptly after just one year. Despite leading the team in scoring during his rookie season, with a total of 72 points, his performance on the field fell short of expectations.
Ryland's field goal percentage was a stark indicator of his struggles. He converted only 64% of his field goals, successfully making 16 out of 25 attempts. This placed him last in the NFL in terms of field goal percentage. His performance from longer distances was equally concerning, as he managed to make just 45.5% of his kicks from beyond 45 yards, converting 5 of 11 attempts.
The Patriots' decision to cut ties with Ryland appears to be influenced by a more promising option emerging during training camp. Veteran kicker Joey Slye was brought in to compete for the position. With six years of NFL experience, Slye demonstrated a higher level of consistency and accuracy. During camp, he hit nearly 80% of his kicks compared to just 75.9% for Ryland. In a particularly telling statistic, Slye converted eight of nine kicks between 50 and 59 yards, while Ryland hit only three of seven from that range.
Slye's NFL journey has been marked by frequent team changes. 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. After two-and-a-half seasons with the Commanders, they let him walk in free agency. The Patriots are now the sixth team Slye has joined in his six-year career.
The decision to release Ryland carries additional significance as he is the final kicker drafted by Bill Belichick. With the NFL season fast approaching, there will be considerable attention on whether Joey Slye can continue his strong performance from training camp into the regular season. The Patriots' special teams unit, often a critical component of their success under Belichick, will undoubtedly be under close scrutiny as the season progresses.
As reported by 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 disparity in training camp, combined with Slye's proven track record, likely influenced the Patriots' decision to move forward without Ryland. As stated by ESPN.com, "The Patriots have decided to cut ties with Ryland after just one year."
While Ryland's future in the NFL remains uncertain, Slye has a significant opportunity to solidify his place within the Patriots organization. If Slye can maintain his training camp form, he might provide the stability in the kicker position that the Patriots have been searching for. The coming season will be a critical period for Slye, as his performance will be pivotal not just for his career, but also for the Patriots' overall success.
In summary, the Patriots' transition from Chad Ryland to Joey Slye underscores the relentless pursuit of excellence that defines NFL franchises. Despite Ryland's initial promise, his inconsistent performance led to a quick departure. Now, all eyes will be on Slye to see if he can rise to the challenge and secure the Patriots' kicking duties for the foreseeable future.