NY Jets could solve their kicking woes with this under-the-radar free agent..
This could be the solution to the Jets’ kicker problems.
The New York Jets have several areas to address as NFL free agency opens. The primary points of emphasis will be quarterback, wide receiver, linebacker, offensive tackle, and defensive back, but the Jets must also address another key spot.
Kicker is one position that cost the Jets grief and games last season. As of press time, New York has two placekickers under contract. Veteran Greg Zuerlein is coming off an injury-plagued 2024 campaign, where he connected on a career-worst 60 percent of his field goals (9-of-15). The 37-year-old former All-Pro is currently under contract but will likely be released soon.
Then there’s strong-legged kicker Anders Carlson. The former All-SEC Auburn specialist, a 2023 sixth-round draft pick by the Green Bay Packers, showed some promise with the Jets last season, connecting on 8-of-10 field goals with a long of 58 yards.
However, late season struggles, which included missing four kicks, two of them extra points, led to Carlson’s release. But then interim general manager Phil Savage brought Carlson back, signing him to a futures deal in January.
The pickings are slim in free agency as only seven pending unrestricted free-agent kickers are set to hit free agency. Among the veteran names are former Jets hero Nick Folk, Matt Prater, and Eddy Pineiro. However, one available specialist has connections to the Jets’ new head coach and the tri-state area.
Detroit Lions kicker Michael Badgley a potential top target for Jets
New Jersey native Michael Badgley is an intriguing option for the Jets. The 29-year old placekicker, also known as ‘The Money Badger,’ has connected on 82 percent of his field goals during his NFL career.
The University of Miami standout has had his fair share of adversity since entering the league in 2018 as an undrafted free agent. After making a splash as a rookie with the Los Angeles Chargers, booting 15-of-16 field goals with a long of 59 yards. A recurring groin injury and consistency issues led to Badgley’s exit from LA after three seasons.
He would spend time with five teams in his next three years in the league. Twice with Tennessee, then with Indianapolis, who initially signed him out of college, quick detours with Detroit, Chicago, and Washington, before cycling back to the Detroit Lions.
Badgley’s performance as a replacement kicker eventually earned him a full audition and gig with Detroit, where he connected on 24-of-28 field goals. Unfortunately, adversity would hit again as Badgley suffered a torn hamstring last year, which wiped out his 2024 season.
He watched last year as United Football League sensation Jake Bates took the NFL by storm in his stead. As a result, the Lions are moving on without him.
Badgley could have multiple suitors as he enters free agency with a clean bill of health. Two obvious connections are former Lions top assistants, Ben Johnson in Chicago, and Aaron Glenn with the Jets. His age and recent success will give him a shot, but durability concerns make him far from a sure bet.
As a result, a team like the Jets may hedge its bets by signing a veteran and also adding a kicker during the draft process. Nevertheless, it’s not a surefire strategy that erases the volatile nature of a kicking game, but New York has to cover all its bases this off-season.
It won’t get the attention that other areas do. Still, the Jets getting the kicker spot right could determine how many games they win in 2025, a year after the deficiency cost the team plenty of heartbreak and multiple victories.