The New England Patriots just can’t seem to catch a break with their kickers. Last season, the Patriots were among the bottom 10 teams in field goals, with a percentage of 78.8 percent. Joey Slye beat out Chad Ryland and even crushed a 63-yard bomb, setting a new franchise record. But as the year went on, his consistency faded, and he ended up making just 26 of 33 kicks, landing way down at 27th among NFL kickers.
Mike Vrabel’s squad lost Joey Slye to the Tennessee Titans this offseason, leaving just one kicker, John Parker Romo, on the roster. So naturally, people expected them to dip into free agency. And now, according to fresh reports, there’s a strong chance they’ll land a new placekicker, possibly from the Memphis Tigers.
According to reporter Carlos A. Lopez on X, “The #Patriots held a private workout with University of Memphis K Tristian Vandenberg. The 6’4 227-pound kicker went 9 for 12 on FG attempts this past season and 25 for 25 on extra point attempts.” So, yeah, he could be a great choice for the team.
The #Patriots held a private workout with University of Memphis K Tristian Vandenberg.
The 6’4 227-pound kicker went 9 for 12 on FG attempts this past season and 25 for 25 on extra point attempts.
Vandenberg is originally from Buffalo, New York and is accustomed to the cold. pic.twitter.com/jlF3Oo3f1d
— Carlos A. Lopez (@LosTalksPats) April 17, 2025
In addition, the advantage is that “Vandenberg is originally from Buffalo, New York, and is accustomed to the cold.” So, if he comes to New England, the harsh cold weather of the region won’t affect him much.
The Pats have already shaken up their coaching staff for the second straight offseason, bringing in Mike Vrabel. The team is once again on the hunt for a new kicker for the third season in a row. Hopefully, Vandebverg could be their perfect answer as the new kicker.
Meanwhile, Ryland, who they picked in the fourth round back in 2023, found a second wind in Arizona, finishing strong with an 87.5% success rate, way better than anyone expected. It’s crazy to think the Patriots once kept Ryland over Nick Folk, just because of draft status, and shipped Folk off to Mike Vrabel’s Titans. Funny enough, Folk went on to dominate, leading the league in field goal percentage two straight years. Ever since they let him go, the Patriots’ kicking game has been a mess, and now, with Ryland and Slye both gone, they’re heading into the 2025 season back at square one, still chasing that one guy they can truly trust.
Of course, they have Romo, but picking up Vandenberg, too, can bring immense success to the team. After all, experts consider the athlete one of New York’s top 3 kickers. Meanwhile, besides hoping for an addition, the franchise underwent a subtraction earlier this month.
Mike Vrabel explained why he took this QB decision!
The Patriots made a big call this month. They sent Joe Milton III to the Cowboys for a 2025 fifth-round pick. Sure, they got a better pick than when they first drafted him, but let’s be real – after his lights-out performance against the Bills, completing 22-of-29 attempts for 241 yards, 2 total TDs, and 0 interceptions, some thought he was worth even more. But destiny had other plans for him. Mike Vrabel stood firm, saying there just weren’t enough reps to go around with Drake Maye stepping into the spotlight.
The HC expressed, “We felt like his (Milton) reps were going to be decreased as we worked through the offseason. We felt like, just like every other decision, we were going to do what’s best for the team, and that’s the decision we ultimately made. I’m excited to move forward with Drake (Maye) and Josh (Dobbs).” It wasn’t an easy move, but it was what the team needed. With Maye set as the starter and Josh Dobbs backing him up, Milton was staring down another year as QB3.
Now, he’s got a fresh start in Dallas, backing up Dak Prescott. He’s hyped to grow, learn, and take his shot. Milton even said it himself, he’s all about soaking it in and building something special with his new teammates. And behind the scenes, Milton believed he could seriously push Maye for the job. He wasn’t wrong to feel that way after the way he played. But in the end, Mike Vrabel and the Patriots had already made their choice, and it was time for both sides to turn the page.
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