Patriots Add To The 2022 Kicker Battle In A Two Move Transaction
The move was announced Friday afternoon that the Patriots signed 25-year-old kicker Tristan Vizcaino and released 23-year-old kicker Quinn Nordin.
Get To Know Kicker Tristan Vizcaino
Vizcaino attended the University of Washington from 2014 to 2017. He later went undrafted in 2018. Since then, he has been a frequent traveler around the league.
Vizcaino made multiple stops in Cincy (twice), Dallas, Minnesota, Buffalo, and San Fran, before being signed by the Patriots. In his one year with the 49ers, Vizcaino only played one game, yet made the most of his opportunities, making all of his extra points and field goal attempts.
“Apparently the Ravens plan to work Vizcaino out next week too if he’s not signed by then. The Patriots signed Nick Folk to a two-year, $5 million contract in March, and it’s unlikely he’s in any real danger of ceding his position as the team’s placekicker to Vizcaino.” CBS Sports
In Vizcaino’s one year with the Chargers, he played in seven games, making 85% of his field goals and 66% of his extra points.
Quinn Nordin Doesn’t Make The Cut
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Quinn Nordin during his time with the Patriots (via Ann Arbor News)
Quinn Nordin, however, is yet to make a regular season NFL appearance. Instead, he has served as a backup kicker and as a practice squad member, all for the Patriots.
“Nordin had some solid moments in practice and appeared to make a serious push for a roster spot, but he was unable to keep building on his momentum as soon as preseason began. Appearing in all three of the Patriots’ exhibition games, he went 6-for-8 on field goal attempts — his misses coming from 54 and 36 yards out — and just 4-for-7 on point-after tries. His combined success rate was just 66.7 percent. Nordin additionally attempted five kickoffs, which all resulted in touchbacks.” Bernd Buchmasser Pats Pulpit
Nordin seemed to have a decent year backing up Nick Folk. However, being reputable doesn’t solidify a spot on the roster for any player on the team. His lack of contributions to the team likely prompted the Patriots to part ways with the young kicker.
This move by the Patriots brings a slight improvement of depth behind Nick Folk, who was one of the best kickers in the NFL last season. I would be surprised to see Vizcaino appear in a regular-season game next year.
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