Bucs have agreed to terms with kicker Chase McLaughlin. He’s 26, went 30-for-36 last year, including nine kicks from 50-plus. Upgrade in range from Ryan Succop. @JoeBucsFan had the news first.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) March 28, 2023
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have their new kicker.
JoeBucsFan reported on Tuesday that the Bucs are signing former Colts kicker Chase McLaughlin. McLaughlin is only 26, so Tampa Bay could get quite a few more years out of him if he ends up performing for the Bucs.
The team needed a new kicker after the release of Ryan Succop, and McLaughlin will fit the bill. He kicked at an %83.3 clip in 2022 and made nine of his 12 attempted kicks from 50-plus yards, so his range will be an immediate improvement over Succop’s from last year. He also converted on 100% of his extra points, which should give the team some security heading into 2023 once they get in the endzone.
McLaughlin has been a work in progress. His year with the Colts in 2022 has been his best year, and Tampa Bay will hope he will continue to improve. The Bucs will be his seventh team and just his third (presumably) starting job, as a poor stint with the Browns in 2021 saw him make just 71% of his kicks.
While it’s almost certain McClaughlin will be the Bucs’ starter in 2023, he may have to beat out kicker Jake Verity in camp.
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