Tag: Panthers Kickers

Panthers sign K Joey Slye to 1-year contract extension

Panthers sign K Joey Slye to 1-year contract extension.

Panthers kicker Joey Slye did not have a great 2020 season. However, he’s still only 24 years old and isn’t expensive to keep around. The team just announced that Slye has signed a one-year extension, keeping him under contract through the 2021 season.

Slye went 29/36 on field goals and 33/36 on extra point attempts this season. While he still has tremendous range, coach Matt Rhule clearly lost confidence in him late in the year. Slye did not kick a field goal the last three games.

Right now Slye still has to be considered the No. 1 kicker on the roster, but he may have a legitimate competition when the offseason program begins. Yesterday, the team signed former CFL kicker Lirim Hajrullahu to a futures contract.

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Report: Panthers re-sign K Lirim Hajrullahu to futures contract

According to a report by Joe Person at the Athletic, the Panthers have re-signed former CFL kicker Lirim Hajrullahu to a futures contract.

According to a report by Joe Person at the Athletic, the Panthers have re-signed former CFL kicker Lirim Hajrullahu to a futures contract. Hajrullahu spent a few days on Carolina’s practice squad late this season but was cut due to an issue with his work visa.

Players who sign future contracts typically wind up on the practice squad the next season. However, Harjullahu may have a legitimate chance at making the roster in 2021.

The Panthers’ starting kicker Joey Slye had a disappointing 2020 season, finishing the year 29/36 on field goals (80.6%) and just 1/6 on attempts of 50 or more yards. At the end, coach Matt Rhule wouldn’t even allow Slye to try. He did not attempt a field goal the last three games of the season.

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Panthers coach Matt Rhule says he’s ‘comfortable’ with K Joey Slye

Despite appearances, head coach Matt Rhule told the media today via Zoom that he’s “comfortable” with Joey Slye.

The Carolina Panthers brought in three free agent kickers for visits during their bye week. That list included Louie Zervos, Lirim Hajrullahu and Chandler Catanzaro, who spent some time with the 2018 team.

Despite appearances, head coach Matt Rhule told the media today via Zoom that he’s “comfortable” with Joey Slye.

Slye missed a 54-yard kick late against the Vikings, dropping his field goal rate to 77.4% and his record on 50+ yard kicks to just 1/6 in 2020.

The stats don’t sound great, but they also don’t tell the full story. It’s not like Slye has been lining up from 51-53 yards each time. In fact, he’s been asked to kick multiple times from 65 or more yards.

Fans may be impatient for a change, but that might not be the best idea. Remember, Slye is still only 24 years old and has demonstrated excellent range. Just last season, Slye was 8/11 on attempts of 50 or more yards.

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