Jets sign former Pro Bowl kicker Greg Zuerlein
Cowboys kicker Greg Zuerlein kicks a field goal during the first half of an NFL game against the Eagles on Jan. 8 in Philadelphia. Credit: AP/Julio Cortez
The Jets may have finally found their kicker.
Former Pro Bowl kicker Greg Zuerlein signed with the Jets on Saturday, the team announced. He is expected to compete with Eddy Pineiro for the Jets’ kicking duties. Pineiro received a restricted free agent tender from the Jets after a strong finish to last season.
The 34-year-old Zuerlein is the more proven kicker, though. He has kicked for the Rams and the Cowboys and is known for having one of the strongest legs in the league.
Nicknamed “Greg the Leg,” Zuerlein connected on 29 of his 35 field-goal attempts (82.9%) and 42-of-48 extra points for Dallas last season. The Cowboys released Zuerlein two weeks ago to clear salary cap space.
in 10 seasons, Zuerlein has made 82.2 percent of his field goals and 95.8 percent of his extra points. He holds the Rams record for most field goals made in a season (38) and shares the Cowboys all-time mark (34) with Richie Cunningham.
The Jets haven’t had a reliable kicker since 2018 when Jason Myers converted nearly 92% of his field-goal tries and made the Pro Bowl. Myers signed with the Seahawks after the season.
Seven different players have kicked for the Jets in the three seasons since they let Myers walk: Sam Ficken, Kaare Vedvik, Sergio Castillo, Chase McLaughlin, Matt Ammendola, Alex Kessman and Pineiro. Ammendola and Pineiro are still on the roster.
Pineiro signed with the Jets in December and performed well. He made all eight of his field-goal attempts and was 9-of 10 on extra points in five games. The Jets gave Pineiro the right-of-first-refusal tender. The Jets signed Ammendola to a reserve/futures deal in January.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
