Joey Slye

Joey Slye
refer to caption
Slye with the Washington Commanders in 2022
No. 13 – New England Patriots
Position:Placekicker
Personal information
Born: (1996-04-10) April 10, 1996 (age 28)
Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:213 lb (97 kg)
Career information
High school:North Stafford (Stafford, Virginia)
College:Virginia Tech (2014–2017)
Undrafted:2018
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 8, 2024
Field goals made:132
Field goals attempted:160
Field goal %:82.5
Longest field goal:63
Touchbacks:322
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Joseph David Slye (born April 10, 1996) is an American professional football placekicker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Virginia Tech and signed as an undrafted free agent with the New York Giants in 2019. Slye has also been a member of the Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers, Washington Commanders, and Jacksonville Jaguars. He holds the Commanders franchise record for longest field goal at 61 yards. He also holds the Patriots record for longest field goal at 63 yards.

Early life

Slye was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico but grew up in Stafford, Virginia. He attended North Stafford High School, where he played high school football.[1] Slye was named all-state as both a kicker and as a linebacker for the Wolverines.[2]

College career

Slye played four seasons for the Virginia Tech Hokies, opting to join the team as a walk-on over a scholarship offer from James Madison.[2] He made 78 of 108 field goal attempts (72.2 percent) and 169 of 172 of extra point attempts (98.3 percent).[3]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span Bench press
5 ft 10 in
(1.78 m) 		213 lb
(97 kg) 		29+3⁄8 in
(0.75 m) 		8+1⁄8 in
(0.21 m)		 21 reps
All values from Pro Day[4]

After going unselected in the 2018 NFL draft, Slye participated in a tryout for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and received interest from the Cleveland Browns, but was not signed by either team.[5]

New York Giants

Slye signed with the New York Giants on May 6, 2019, but was released on May 14, 2019. He was re-signed by the Giants on July 24, 2019, and waived again three days later.[6][7]

Carolina Panthers

2019 season

Slye signed with the Carolina Panthers on August 1, 2019.[8] Although originally brought in to serve as a "camp leg", Slye made seven of eight field goal attempts in the preseason, including three from beyond 50 yards out. He was named the Panthers' kicker for the 2019 season after Graham Gano was placed on injured reserve.[9]

Slye made his NFL debut on September 8, 2019, against the Los Angeles Rams, missing his first career field goal attempt from 53 yards out but hitting his next two tries from 46 and 52 yards out while making all three of his extra point attempts.[10] Slye was named the National Football Conference (NFC) Special Teams Player of the Week for Week 4 after going 3–3 on field goal attempts, including a 55-yarder, on September 29, 2019, against the Houston Texans.[11] Slye finished his rookie season with 25 field goals on 32 attempts (78.1%) and made 31 of 35 extra points (88.6%).[12]

2020 season

Slye with the Carolina Panthers in 2020

Slye signed a one-year extension with the Panthers on February 6, 2020.[13] He made a career-high five field goals on five attempts in a 21–16 win over the Los Angeles Chargers on September 28, 2020.[14] He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Panthers on October 21,[15] and was activated two days later.[16] In Week 7 against the New Orleans Saints, Slye attempted an NFL record 65-yard field goal with 1:55 remaining in the 4th quarter, but was short by a few inches as the Panthers lost 27–24.[17] Two weeks later against the Kansas City Chiefs, Slye missed another record attempt, this time from 67 yards as time expired. The Panthers lost 33–31.[18] In Week 12 against the Minnesota Vikings, Slye missed another game winning field goal with four seconds remaining from 54 yards as the Panthers lost 28–27.[19]

2021 season

Slye signed another one-year contract extension with the Panthers on January 5, 2021.[20] Slye was released by the Panthers on August 28, 2021, after the team traded for Ryan Santoso.[21]

Houston Texans

On September 7, 2021, Slye was signed to the practice squad of the Houston Texans.[22] On September 11, he was elevated to the active roster following an injury to starting kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn.[23] In 3 games, he connected on 4 of 5 field goal attempts and 7 of 8 extra point attempts. Slye was waived on September 30, 2021.[24]

San Francisco 49ers

On October 5, 2021, Slye was signed by the San Francisco 49ers after an injury to Robbie Gould.[25] Slye was waived on November 2, 2021, after Gould's return.[26]

Washington Football Team / Commanders

Slye signed with the Washington Football Team on November 9, 2021.[27] In Week 12 against the Seattle Seahawks, Slye suffered a hamstring injury after a blocked extra point attempt and was placed on injured reserve the following day.[28] He was activated off injured reserve on December 25.[29]

The team placed a restricted free agent tender on Slye on March 16, 2022,[30] with Slye agreeing to a two-year contract worth around $5 million on April 11.[31]

In Week 10 of the 2022 NFL season against the 8–0 Philadelphia Eagles, Slye played a key part in Washington's 32–21 upset win. He made all 4 of his field goals attempts, including a career long 58 yard field goal and another from 55 yards. For this performance, Slye was named NFC Special Teams player of the week.[32] At the end of November 2022, he was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for his performance of 37 points, going 7 for 8 on extra points and 10 for 10 on field goals.[33] In Week 13, he made two of three field goal attempts, missing a 52-yard attempt in the fourth quarter and with the game resulting in a 20–20 tie against the New York Giants.[34][35] In Week 8 of the 2023 season, Slye set a Commanders franchise record for the longest field goal made at 61 yards.[36]

Jacksonville Jaguars

On March 18, 2024, Slye signed a one-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars.[37] On April 30, Slye was released by the Jaguars after they selected Cam Little in the NFL Draft.[38]

New England Patriots

On May 2, 2024, Slye signed a one-year deal with the New England Patriots.[39][40] During preseason, Slye beat out incumbent kicker Chad Ryland, who was released at the final roster cutdown.[41] In Week 4 of the 2024 season, Slye set a Patriots franchise record of the longest field goal made at 63 yards also setting a new career high. [42]

NFL career statistics

Legend
Bold Career High

Regular season

Year Team GP Field Goals Extra Points Points
FGA FGM Lng Pct XPA XPM Pct
2019 CAR 16 32 25 54 78.1 35 31 88.6 106
2020 CAR 16 36 29 56 80.6 36 33 91.7 120
2021 HOU 3 5 4 53 80.0 8 7 87.5 19
SF 3 8 7 56 87.5 4 2 50.0 23
WAS 6 12 12 55 100.0 10 9 90.0 45
2022 WAS 17 30 25 58 83.3 28 24 85.7 99
2023 WAS 17 24 19 61 79.2 35 32 91.4 89
2024 NE 6 11 9 63 81.8 8 8 100.0 35
Career 79 158 130 63 82.3 164 146 89.0 554

References

  1. ^ Fawcett, David (July 12, 2022). "North Stafford grad Joey Slye returns to his roots". INSIDENOVA.COM. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Coghill, Jr., Taft (April 25, 2018). "Joey Slye hopes for a chance after NFL draft". The Free Lance–Star. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
  3. ^ Dunleavy, Ryan (May 7, 2019). "Giants sign NCAA All-American in shot put who turned down Clemson football: Recapping roster moves since rookie camp ended". NJ.com. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
  4. ^ "Joey Slye, Virginia Tech, K, 2018 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  5. ^ Taranto, Steven (August 13, 2019). "Joey Slye kicking his way into potential NFL jobs". 247Sports.com. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
  6. ^ Fennelly, John (June 24, 2019). "Giants re-sign K Joey Slye, waive DB Tony Lippett". Giants Wire. USA Today. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
  7. ^ "Joey Slye: Parts ways with Giants". CBSSports.com. RotoWire. July 27, 2019. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
  8. ^ Alper, Josh (August 1, 2019). "Panthers sign Joey Slye, Rishard Cook". Profootballtalk.com. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
  9. ^ Weaver, Tim (August 30, 2019). "Panthers put Graham Gano on IR, giving kicker job to Joey Slye". Panthers Wire. USA Today. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
  10. ^ "Panthers' Joey Slye: Makes 50-plus yarder". CBSSports.com. RotoWire. September 9, 2019. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
  11. ^ "Joey Slye named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week". Panthers.com. October 2, 2019. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  12. ^ "Panthers' Joey Slye: Finishes with four points". CBSSports.com. RotoWire. December 31, 2019. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
  13. ^ "Joey Slye signs one-year contract extension". Carolina Panthers. February 6, 2020. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
  14. ^ "Panthers' Joey Slye: Scores 15 points". CBSSports.com. RotoWire. September 28, 2020. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
  15. ^ Simmons, Myles (October 21, 2020). "Panthers place Joey Slye, Trent Scott on reserve/COVID-19 list". Panthers.com. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  16. ^ Simmons, Myles (October 23, 2020). "Panthers activate Joey Slye, Trent Scott, place Rasul Douglas on reserve/COVID-19 list". Panthers.com. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  17. ^ Breech, John (October 25, 2020). "Panthers kicker tries 65-yard field goal, comes up just inches short of setting NFL record for longest kick". CBSSports.com. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  18. ^ Edholm, Eric (November 8, 2020). "Panthers come up just short of beating Chiefs on Joey Slye's 67-yard FG miss". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  19. ^ "Vikings vs. Panthers Live updates Score, results, highlights, for Sunday's NFL game". CBSSports.com. November 29, 2020. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  20. ^ Bryan, Will (January 5, 2021). "Panthers extend kicker Joey Slye through 2021". Panthers.com. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
  21. ^ Gantt, Darin (August 28, 2021). "Panthers release kicker Joey Slye". Panthers.com. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  22. ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (9-7-2021)". HoustonTexans.com. September 7, 2021. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  23. ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (9-11-2021)". HoustonTexans.com. September 11, 2021. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  24. ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (9-30-2021)". HoustonTexans.com. September 30, 2021. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  25. ^ "49ers Sign K Joey Slye; Add Three Players to Practice Squad". 49ers.com. October 5, 2021. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  26. ^ Williams, Charean (November 3, 2021). "49ers cut Joey Slye, Tyrell Adams". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
  27. ^ "Washington signs K Joey Slye, releases Chris Blewitt". WashingtonFootball.com. November 9, 2021. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  28. ^ Manning, Bryan (November 30, 2021). "Washington places Joey Slye on IR, signs another former Virginia Tech kicker to replace him". USAToday.com. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  29. ^ Grindley, Wyatt (December 25, 2021). "Washington Announces Six Roster Moves". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  30. ^ Selby, Zach (March 16, 2022). "Commanders tender 4 players, release S Landon Collins". Commanders.com. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  31. ^ Jhabvala, Nicki (April 11, 2022). "Commanders re-sign kicker Joey Slye to a two-year deal". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  32. ^ Alper, Josh (November 16, 2022). "Joey Slye is the NFC special teams player of the week". NBC Sports. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  33. ^ Alper, Josh (December 1, 2022). "Joey Slye is the NFC special teams player of the month". NBC Sports. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  34. ^ "Commanders-Giants Stats & Snaps". Commanders.com. December 5, 2022. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  35. ^ Benton, Dan (December 4, 2022). "Giants miss walk-off field goal in OT, tie Commanders, 20–20". Giants Wire. USA Today. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  36. ^ Breech, John (October 29, 2023). "Commanders kicker pulls off NFL rarity by drilling 61-yard field goal, sets franchise record for distance". CBS Sports. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  37. ^ Alper, Josh (March 18, 2024). "Joey Slye signs with Jaguars". NBC Sports. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  38. ^ DiRocco, Michael (April 30, 2024). "Jags cut WR Jones after picking Thomas in draft". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  39. ^ "Patriots Sign K Joey Slye". Patriots.com. May 2, 2024. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  40. ^ "Joey Slye | NFL". Spotrac.com. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  41. ^ "Patriots Make Roster Moves to Reach the 53-Man Roster Limit". Patriots.com. August 27, 2024. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  42. ^ Leger, Justin (September 29, 2024). "WATCH: Slye drills longest field goal in Pats history". NBC Sports Boston. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Joey Slye.