Former Packers kicker Sam Ficken will sign with Jets, per report

He didn’t quite make it in Green Bay, but kicker Sam Ficken has a new job with an NFL team. Ficken spent this spring and summer on the Green Bay Packers’ roster, providing competition for veteran Mason Crosby for the place-kicking duties. However, Packers GM Brian Gutekunst went with Crosby at final cuts, and Ficken has been on the market for the past week or so.

However, his performance in training camp apparently has landed him a job after all. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Ficken was one of five kickers who worked out for the New York Jets on Tuesday and was the best of the group, earning a contract and the job.

He will hope to put an end to a tumultuous few weeks for the Jets’ special teams. After the Minnesota Vikings released kicker Kaare Vedvik at final cuts, the Jets decided to scoop him up, waiving Taylor Bertolet in the process. Bertolet had struggled mightily in the preseason finale, making just two of five field goal attempts in the team’s final exhibition game. He missed from 49, 53, and 56 yards in that game, leading to the team’s decision to replace him with Vedvik.

Of course, Vedvik was no better in August for Minnesota, who acquired Vedvik from the Baltimore Ravens after the first week of the preseason in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. His 1-for-4 performance in Minnesota earned him his walking papers, leading to the Jets’ decision to claim him off waivers the day after cuts. However, he missed his only two place-kicking attempts in the Jets’ week one game, a PAT and a 45-yard field goal attempt, sending the Jets back to the free agent pool to find a more reliable option.

Ficken made all six attempts in preseason action for the Packers this year, hitting on a 41-yard field goal and five PATs.