The New York Jets are facing a potential kicking crisis as Jason Sanders' performance in the team's preseason finale has put his position in jeopardy. Sanders missed an extra point and a 54-yard field goal attempt during the Jets' 23-6 loss to the New York Giants on Friday night at MetLife Stadium.
The 54-yard attempt fell well short, and Sanders' overall performance this summer has done little to inspire confidence. He had previously beaten out Cade York for the kicking job, but his struggles, including missing shorter kicks and going 2-for-5 in practice field goal attempts the day before the Giants game, have the team considering alternatives.
"Am I worried about it?" Jets head coach Aaron Glenn asked following the game. "I didn’t like the fact that we missed these field goals. But the thing is we’re not going to panic and we’re going to make sure we make the right decision to make sure either we fix those issues or we get the right person in here."
Glenn added that Sanders has "been good for us. He’s been good in practice," but acknowledged that the team will "evaluate that and see exactly what direction we’ll go."
The Jets did not re-sign Nick Folk, who had an outstanding 2025 season, in free agency. Folk subsequently signed with the Atlanta Falcons. With the regular season opener against the Titans on Sept. 13 approaching, the Jets may be looking to acquire a new kicker via trade or by claiming a player on the waiver wire after teams make their final roster cuts this weekend.
In other injury news from Friday night's game, edge rusher Joseph Ossai left after 11 plays with a foot injury. Ossai, who signed a three-year, $34.5 million contract in March and is expected to play a significant role on defense, was seen on the sideline and appeared to be okay. Rookie guard Anez Cooper also departed the game with a shoulder injury, while cornerback Tre Brown (finger) and running back Dominic Richardson (elbow) also sustained injuries.