FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 29: Joey Slye #13 of the New England Patriots walks to the field during the New England Patriots OTA Offseason Workout on May 29, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The Patriots didn’t go out and sign kicker Joey Slye for no reason.
They wanted a veteran on the roster to push second-year specialist Chad Ryland as the starting kicker. Ryland might have been safe if Bill Belichick were still around considering the team traded up for him in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL draft.
However, the situation has changed with a new regime taking over. Ryland was up and down throughout his rookie season, and that kind of inconsistency is troublesome for a Patriots team that has leaned heavily on field goal makes to stay in games.
Slye is a reliable veteran player with experience playing with six other teams. If Ryland continues to look shaky, it could pave the way for Slye as the starter.
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Patriots Wire…