Finding quality kickers in the NFL is difficult to do, which is why you rarely see the best ones become available in free agency. When teams come across kickers they can trust, they don’t let them get to the open market.
The Los Angeles Rams had one of the best in the league in 2017 and 2018 with Greg Zuerlein, but he was inconsistent last season and is now a free agent. The team hasn’t made it publicly clear that it wants to bring Zuerlein back, and he’s already garnering interest from other teams.
According to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News, the Cowboys have Zuerlein on their radar. Former Rams special teams coordinator John Fassel is of course with the Cowboys now, so it’d be a reunion of sorts in Dallas.
Cowboys expressed interest today in re-signing kicker Kai Forbath, source said. He was 10-for-10 in field goals during a three-game stint to end the 2019 season. Chance of a return, but Greg Zuerlein is on radar, too. He and John Fassel could reunite in Dallas at right price.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) March 16, 2020
The Rams don’t have a contingency plan if Zuerlein does leave, having no other kickers on their roster. There aren’t many available in free agency, either, certainly none better than Zuerlein.
Had the veteran put together a good season in 2019, this likely would’ve been an easier decision for the Rams. However, he struggled throughout the year, making just 72.7% of his field goal attempts and only 5 of 11 from 40-49 yards.
If the Rams want to retain their kicker, they might have to make a move soon before Dallas poaches another key member of the special teams unit.