Buccaneers Make Decision at Kicker Ahead of 2023 Season

The Buccaneers' kicker battle is now settled.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have pretty much the only real quarterback competition going on in the NFL, but a QB battle hasn't been the only position up for grabs this training camp for the Buccaneers.

The lesser spoke of battle, the kicker competition, has finally come to a conclusion for the Bucs as they officially waived Rodrigo 'Hot Rod" Blankenship - opting to go with his counterpart Chase McLaughlin.

We have waived K Rodrigo Blankenship.

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) August 21, 2023

READ MORE: Buccaneers' Quarterback Battle Most Likely Ended Against Jets

Both Blankenship and McLaughlin were competing for the job once occupied by veteran Ryan Succop who spent three seasons with the team.

Blankenship and McLaughlin switched on-and-off kicking duties through the first two preseason games against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New York Jets. 

Through the preseason games, McLaughlin converted all three of his extra points while also adding on a 48-yard FG this past weekend against the Jets.

Blankenship had ample opportunity to at least continue to the competition but missed from 55 and 32 yards this past Saturday against the Jets ultimately securing McLaughlin the starting kicker position for the Bucs in 2023.

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McLaughlin was initially brought in to see if they could get consistency out of a kicker who can also kick from distance. The Bucs severely missed this last season and the move to move along from Succop made it that more evident.

McLaughlin will now set his sights on getting better prior to the season while Blankenship will be on the prowl for a new home.

Stick with BucsGameday and the Locked On Bucs podcast for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout Training Camp.

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