Remember Jake Elliott?
The current Philadelphia Eagles kicker was a point of frustration for Cincinnati Bengals fans a few years back. The team drafted him in the first round, attempted to stash him on the practice squad and the Eagles swooped and swiped.
Now Elliott’s is the NFL’s highest-paid kicker.
Eliott’s fresh five-year extension with the Eagles makes him the highest average salary at the position and highest total dollars at $21 million. This on the heels of hitting 26 of 31 attempts over his last two seasons before a 14 of 14 mark this year. He’s hit longs of 61, 56 and 53.
Which isn’t to say Randy Bullock has been a bad presence for the Bengals. He’s hit 18 of 20, 19 of 23 and 15 of 18 over the same span. The problem is spotty accuracy from deep (three of eight from 50-plus since 2017), which can influence offensive decisions.
Either way, it is interesting to see how it has all worked out so far. Elliott after the big deal:
Jake Elliott says he loves it here and his new contract came together quickly. “It’s been a crazy ride” since the Eagles grabbed him off the Bengals’ practice squad in 2017, he said. pic.twitter.com/woiFEESTWQ
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) November 29, 2019