Jets Release Sam Ficken as New Face Enters Offseason Kicking Competition

The New York Jets offseason kicking competition is heating up during training camp as the Jets released Sam Ficken, signing undrafted kicker Matt Ammendola

Max Goodman | Aug 1, 2021

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Less than one week into training camp, a new face has been inserted into the Jets' kicking competition.

New York signed kicker Matt Ammendola on Friday, simultaneously releasing Sam Ficken.

Ficken played in nine of last year's 16 games, converting on 13 of his 15 field goal tries. Sergio Castillo and Chase McLaughlin also kicked in a few games for Gang Green, but Ficken shouldered the majority of the load.

Asked on Saturday about to move to let Ficken go, Jets head coach Robert Saleh said this won't be the end of the Jets' relationship with the veteran—he just wanted to give another kicker an opportunity.

"It’s not over with Sam," Saleh explained. "He’s still kicked in this league and he had success last year, but it was an opportunity in another leg to see where they’re at and try to add to the competition."

That added competition is Ammendola, an undrafted kicker out of Oklahoma State. He nailed 60 of his 78 field-goal attempts (76.9 percent) with the Cowboys, missing just four of his 183 extra-point tries.

Ammendola even kicked his way into the history books at Oklahoma State, finishing top five in school history in points scored, field goals made, field goals attempted, field goal percentage, PATs made and PATs attempted.

He'll split reps at training camp with Chris Naggar, another undrafted rookie that was impressing at minicamp earlier in the offseason.

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Published Aug 1, 2021

MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Jets for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. He also covers the New York Yankees, publisher of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Yankees site, Inside The Pinstripes. Before starting out with SI, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. While at school, Goodman gathered valuable experience as an anchor and reporter on NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. Goodman previously interned at MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman and connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.