The Tennessee Titans are moving on from kicker Nick Folk after the veteran made 50 of 52 field goals over the last two seasons. Tennessee's decision has more to do with Folk's age — he's 40 — than his performance. Tennessee chose to sign former Washington kicker Joey Slye, making Folk available to any team that needs kicking help.
Could the Commanders be an option? If not, they should be. Age is no concern for kickers when they prove they can still deliver. It should certainly not be a concern for a team looking to reach the Super Bowl. Younger kickers are much more unpredictable, as Washington learned all too well last season. The Commanders went through multiple kickers after releasing veteran Brandon McManus due to an off-field incident before Washington signed him.
With Joey Slye signed, it means the #Titans are officially moving on from 40-year old Nick Folk, who hit 50 of 52 FGs over two years with Tennessee, including 11 of 12 from 50+. He led the NFL in field-goal percentage in each of those two years. https://t.co/3YLeekUZeT
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 24, 2025
One concern for older kickers is range. That's not an issue for Folk. Over his last two seasons in Tennessee, Folk has made 11 of 12 from 50 yards and beyond, with a long of 56 yards. Folk has made over 84% of his field goals for his career. Consistency is, of course, a strength for Folk. He made 53 of his 55 point-after attempts during his two seasons with the Titans. Folk has made 97% of his PATs throughout his 18-year career.
Washington re-signed Zane Gonzalez, who became its kicker after Austin Seibert's leg injury. Gonzalez was solid, but did nothing to earn the job outright without competition. Surprisingly, the Commanders didn't re-sign Seibert and have them compete. But maybe Washington was looking for another veteran to compete with Gonzalez. What if that veteran is Folk? If Folk isn't on the radar of general manager Adam Peters, he should be.
If Folk's kickoffs are a concern, they shouldn't be, as over 63% of his kickoffs went for touchbacks last season, which led the NFL. Of course, with the new kickoff rules, NFL teams often employ different strategies, making touchbacks less critical.
Washington has several veterans signed to one-year deals. Folk should be the next one signed, and the Commanders should bring him in to compete with Gonzalez throughout the spring and summer.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders should sign veteran kicker Nick Folk
