Justin Tucker was among three kickers who worked out for the Jets on Wednesday, a clear sign of how urgently the team is trying to settle a position that has become a problem.
The Jets had Nick Folk last season before letting him walk in free agency, and since then the search has become increasingly complicated. Earlier this week, they claimed Blake Grupe off waivers, while Jason Sanders is on the practice squad after losing the job to Cade York and then missing a field goal and an extra point in a preseason game against the Giants on Friday.
Why Tucker stands out
Tucker is the biggest name in the group, and not just because of reputation. He is a five-time first-team All-Pro, and last season he served a 10-game suspension to start the year for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
After he was reinstated, Tucker had tryouts with the Saints and Colts but was not signed. That makes his appearance at the Jets’ facility notable, even if no deal has been struck.
There is also a broader football logic to the workout. The Jets are desperate for a kicker, and the evidence around the league suggests there are few clean answers available. Nick Folk went 28-of-29 on field goals last season with a long of 58, while Michael Badgley kicked in seven games for the Colts and two for the Bills last season. Josh Karty lasted 25 career games before Los Angeles cut him after eight games last season.
The Jets need certainty
For the Jets, the issue is not simply finding a leg. It is finding reliability. In a league where kickers can decide tight games, every missed attempt and every midseason change adds pressure on the rest of the roster.
That is why Wednesday’s workout matters. Justin Tucker, Michael Badgley and Josh Karty all had a chance to show the Jets they can bring stability, and the team now has a decision to make as it continues to sort through the options.
