4 free-agent kickers the Panthers should target for camp competition
By Dean Jones
Which free-agent kickers still available on the market might the Carolina Panthers look to bring in for training camp competition?
One of the primary factors behind the Carolina Panthers losing eight games by one score during the 2020 season was a lack of conviction from the kicking position. This was thanks to Joey Slye going through some struggles in Year 2 of his pro career after earning the starting job despite veteran Graham Gano returning from injury.
Slye played the role of scapegoat, which is to be expected when one considers kickers are more expendable than almost every other position. The former Virginia Tech prospect was given another opportunity to turn things around in Carolina after getting a one-year deal, but he still might have a fight on his hands to secure the No. 1 job in 2021.
Special teams coach Chase Blackburn told the media on Wednesday that the Panthers were considering the possibility of bringing in another kicker for some camp competition. This leaves Slye well and truly on the hot seat and the player needs to rise to the challenge in the hope of getting another chance to prove his doubters wrong.
Slye revealed to reporters following Wednesday’s practice that he’s been working with a sports psychologist to get his mind right after a difficult campaign.
Whether this can make a difference is unclear. But the player certainly needs something to reignite his career in a critical third year with the franchise.
If the Panthers are looking to acquire a veteran kicker to compete with Slye, these four names are worth considering.
Carolina Panthers free-agent possibilities for kicking competition at training camp
Kicker No. 1
Brett Maher
Although Brett Maher hasn’t been seen on an NFL field since his time with the Dallas Cowboys in 2019, the player bounced around various practice squads last season and was signed to a reserve/futures contract by the Arizona Cardinals before he was released in March.
Maher has a cannon for a leg, boasting a career-long of 63 yards. His field goal percentage stands at 74.2 percent and an almost perfect extra-point success rate of 98.6% for good measure.
There isn’t a lot Maher has done wrong, but he is 31 years old now and with just two years of experience at the next level under his belt.
It certainly wouldn’t hurt to see what Maher could do and it could inspire Joey Slye to bigger and better things with the Carolina Panthers moving forward.