If you needed any further evidence that the NY Jets organization has phoned it in on the 2024 season, look no further than the latest dilemma surrounding the team's kicker position.
The Jets have used three different kickers over the last three weeks, but their latest solution for the position, undrafted rookie Spencer Shrader, seemed to look the part in his team debut on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.
Shrader was responsible for all six Jets points, connecting on both of his field-goal attempts, including one from 45 yards out. It was only the second kick from longer than 40 yards a Jets kicker had made this season.
The expectation was that Shrader would remain the Jets' kicker moving forward, but that won't be the case. That's not because the Jets decided to move on. Instead, a boneheaded oversight on the part of the front office led to Shrader being signed away by another team before his second game with the Jets.
The Kansas City Chiefs officially signed Shrader off the Jets' practice squad on Thursday following an injury to Harrison Butker. With Butker headed for injured reserve, Shrader will now be the kicker for the undefeated reigning Super Bowl champions for at least the next month.
The Jets elevated Shrader to the active roster ahead of their Week 10 game but failed to sign him to the 53-man roster after the game. The team had an open roster spot too, one they used to claim backup offensive lineman Connor McGovern off waivers.
The Jets reportedly offered Shrader a spot on their 53-man roster after the Chiefs came calling, but by that point, it was too late. The former Notre Dame standout made the relatively easy decision to join the best team in the NFL instead of remaining with the Jets.
Of course, the Jets could have signed their new starting kicker to the 53-man roster after the game, thus preventing other teams from being able to poach him. Given the Jets' struggles to find a reliable kicker this season, one would think that would be a top priority.
Not understanding what happened here. I thought if somebody offered a contract to somebody on your practice squad you had the right to refuse and give them a spot on your 53-man roster instead. Is it actually treated like free agency instead? [Reply]
Originally Posted by wazu:
Not understanding what happened here. I thought if somebody offered a contract to somebody on your practice squad you had the right to refuse and give them a spot on your 53-man roster instead. Is it actually treated like free agency instead?
If they’re on the practice squad anyone can claim him as long as they put them on the 53. Which we did because we IRd Butker.
Apparently they elevated him but forgot to get him a contract so he wasn’t signed to the 53. Even though he was their plan for a starting kicker.
That might be funnier than Failway losing Dumerville because he’s too stupid to send a fax. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Buehler445:
If they’re on the practice squad anyone can claim him as long as they put them on the 53. Which we did because we IRd Butker.
Apparently they elevated him but forgot to get him a contract so he wasn’t signed to the 53. Even though he was their plan for a starting kicker.
That might be funnier than Failway losing Dumerville because he’s too stupid to send a fax.
Butker has been dealing with this issue since early on but was still getting through. He probably could have played through the season and taken care of this after winning the Super Bowl. But then Veach sees this young kicker available on the Jets PS and thinks, why not? So, Butker suddenly goes on IR and we pick up some unknown kicker. Everyone is worried about what is going on but really the only reason Butker went on IR at this time is because Veach was able to poach another young kicker off of a PS. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Hydrae:
OMG, that is beyond hilarious.
Butker has been dealing with this issue since early on but was still getting through. He probably could have played through the season and taken care of this after winning the Super Bowl. But then Veach sees this young kicker available on the Jets PS and thinks, why not? So, Butker suddenly goes on IR and we pick up some unknown kicker. Everyone is worried about what is going on but really the only reason Butker went on IR at this time is because Veach was able to poach another young kicker off of a PS.
This sounds like the plot of next year's Hallmark movie. [Reply]
Good to know he was wanted. Because I can handle an average kicker for a short time but I’m still traumatized by the Matthew wright experience
Do feel a little bad about schrader. He went from a potentially long term experience to one where he’ll be booted in a few weeks. But oh well. Just kick well and he’ll get flooded with offers [Reply]
Originally Posted by wazu:
Not understanding what happened here. I thought if somebody offered a contract to somebody on your practice squad you had the right to refuse and give them a spot on your 53-man roster instead. Is it actually treated like free agency instead?
I was always under the impression that if someone tried to sign a practice squad player, the original team could just sign them to the 53 and that’s that. Apparently, the player gets to choose which team he wants to sign with. That, I didn’t know. When the Chiefs swooped in, the Jets offered him a spot on their 53, and he said “no”. :-) [Reply]
Originally Posted by MVChiefFan:
I was always under the impression that if someone tried to sign a practice squad player, the original team could just sign them to the 53 and that’s that. Apparently, the player gets to choose which team he wants to sign with. That, I didn’t know. When the Chiefs swooped in, the Jets offered him a spot on their 53, and he said “no”. :-)
If that’s true, and the OP article is legit, you have to like what it says about the player. He had a shot to sign with the Jets and play out the string on a contract. With the Chiefs, he’s only guaranteed playing time until Butker returns. The decision was a gamble and this means he’s betting on himself. He’s also looking at KC’s track record of specialist development. Right now, the three best punters and best kicker have played for or are playing with the Chiefs. Hes gambling that he’ll develop and showcase his skills with the champs and that will land him an opportunity far greater than the Jets were offering. [Reply]
