The Carolina Panthers have reportedly cut third-year kicker Joey Slye.
Slye served as a solid placekicker for the Panthers in 2020, going 29/36 (80.6%) on field goals and 33/36 on extra points. Unfortunately for the 25-year-old kicker, he was unable to carry that production over into this year’s preseason.
In Carolina’s first two preseason games, he missed three kicks.
The Panthers already have a replacement lined up for Slye. On Thursday, the team sent a conditional seventh-round pick to the New York Giants in exchange for Ryan Santoso.
Santoso had a “whirlwind” of a day, hopping on a plane to Charlotte within hours of wrapping up practice with the Giants on his 26th birthday.
“It’s been a journey,” Santoso said in his opening press conference. “The last 24 hours have been a whirlwind, but it’s been a blessing.”
Last night’s 34-9 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers likely played a significant role in this kicker decision. Slye missed his only field goal attempt on the night from 49 yards. Santoso went 2/2 on field goals (one of which bounced off the inside of the upright from 52 yards) and 3/3 on extra points.
Santoso has yet to attempt a single field goal or extra point in his NFL career. That will soon change as the Panther’s new starting kicker in 2021.
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