The New York Jets have made a change at Kicker yet again just two days before the Week One opener against the Tennessee Titans. This is something that they have struggled with for multiple weeks now. From the outside looking in, it seems like they simply can’t find someone who they trust to do the job consistently.

If you didn’t think that was the case, just look at the fact that they are keeping two guys on the active roster for Week One. Blake Grupe and Jason Sanders. This, to me, is not a good way to handle the 53-man roster.

Teams typically carry three specialists (kicker, punter, long-snapper) and divvy up the other 50 spots to offense and defense respectively. Sadly in the Jets case, they will have to drop someone from their active roster because they can’t find a freakin’ Kicker.

The ongoing competition

The New York Jets went into their 2026 training camp with a battle at the position. They were working with two veterans in Jason Sanders (who got the nod) and Cade York. Sanders was able to put together nice practices going 37/44 in charted kicks. Things were certainly looking up for him until the Jets preseason finale against the New York Giants.

Sanders went missed his lone field goal attempt as well as his lone extra point attempt in the contest.

With that, it was evident that the Jets wanted to consider looking a different direction, and they followed it up by signing veteran Kicker Blake Grupe. Grupe was previously on the Indianapolis Colts a year ago, where he didn’t miss a single attempt after being signed.

Grupe lost his battle in the preseason to Spencer Shrader. A tough break for sure. It certainly provided an opportunity for a team like the Jets, who have been struggling at the position, to bring him in.

What Aaron Glenn had to say

New York Jets HC Aaron Glenn was asked about the Kicker position earlier this week and said the following:

“I’m going to let that play out, right? Those guys are going to continue to kick and compete. And again we’ll make that right decision when the decision needs to be done.”

Clearly the Jets have made their decision for at least the beginning of the season as they elected Jason Sanders. At the same time, how much confidence are they even putting in Sanders if they’re leaving Blake Grupe on the active roster as well? It doesn’t appear like much to me.

Glenn was also asked if it made him uneasy to have a kicking decision so close to a game. This is what the second year head coach had to say:

“Not really, I said it before I’m not going to panic about the situation. I think they’re both capable men, alright. And at the end of the day we’ve got to pick one guy that’s going to be our kicker.”

Well at least he got that part right; the Jets have to pick one guy. They can’t afford to rotate between two during the season as it leaves one less roster spot available for a non-specialist.

Why Jason Sanders got the nod

Once again, Aaron Glenn had a completely understandable reason for Jason Sanders starting in Week One. He spoke with reporters today about it and his words seemed to make a lot of sense.

“Well Jason gets the chance to kick this week, he’s had the most reps. With Grupe, I want to make sure that he gets a solid chance. He just got here last week. He hasn’t had a lot of chances to really get a lot of work with Henny and Mac. So I want to make sure that I give him the chance for the proper competition. I want to let this thing play out.”

Henny and Mac obviously refers to Jets Punter Austin McNamara and Long-Snapper Thomas Hennessy. That makes sense as chemistry with specialists is of vital importance. Grupe does need time to get used to working with the two.

Still though, I don’t like the idea of an ongoing competition to start the season.

What needs to happen for the Jets

This isn’t some crazy revelation, but the Jets need for one of these guys to clearly separate themselves early this season. Honestly, it would be great if Jason Sanders could just put a game or two together of perfect kicking right off the bat. I can’t imagine that the skill gap between him and Grupe is very wide, if at all. We all know that with kicking you pretty much have to roll with the hot leg.

The Jets will head down to Nashville tomorrow to take on the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. Right now the weather for the game looks to be in the high 80’s, and Nashville hasn’t experienced too much wind as of late. The conditions are expected to be solid in order for Sanders to perform well.

Let’s hope he is up to the task because one thing is for sure. If the New York Jets want to start of the season on the right note in Week One, they’re going to need solid play from their Kicker.