Buccaneers reportedly re-signing kicker Chase McLaughlin after an outstanding 2023 season
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have had some serious struggles over the years with their place kickers. Those issues seem to be well in the rearview mirror now. The Buccaneers reportedly reached an agreement on an extension with upcoming free agent kicker Chase McLaughlin on Monday. The Buccaneers' issues with the kicking game coincided with the […]
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have had some serious struggles over the years with their place kickers. Those issues seem to be well in the rearview mirror now.
The Buccaneers reportedly reached an agreement on an extension with upcoming free agent kicker Chase McLaughlin on Monday.
The Buccaneers' issues with the kicking game coincided with the team's struggles from 2009-19. The team managed to get some decent play from Connor Barth, who was with the Bucs from 2009-12 and 2015. His best year came in 2011, when he made 26 of 28 kicks (92.9%) and all 23 extra point attempts.
However, most of the rest fell short of acceptable. The team spent a 2016 second round pick on Roberto Aguayo, who struggled mightily and was eventually waived in August 2017. Even solid kickers Nick Folk and Matt Gay – who the Bucs drafted in the fifth round of the 2019 draft – couldn't stick in Tampa, with the latter being waived in September 2020 in favor of Ryan Succop.
McLaughlin was as close to automatic as you'll see last year, making 29 of 31 attempts along with all 33 extra point attempts. Perhaps most importantly, he went an impressive 7 of 8 from 50 yards and beyond, an area that the Bucs sought to improve last offseason when they parted ways with Succop.
Now, the Bucs will have their most reliable kicker in many years back as they look to claim their fourth straight NFC South title and fifth playoff berth in a row in 2024.
