Joey Slye beats out challenge from Michael Badgley for Commanders kicker

Competition can be healthy, especially in the NFL. The Washington Commanders challenged incumbent placekicker Joey Slye to start training camp, signing Michael Badgley.

Badgley came off a career year with the Detroit Lions last season. However, the Lions shockingly released him in July. Washington brought him aboard to give Slye a measuring stick.

The kicking competition lasted three weeks into training camp, two joint practices against the Baltimore Ravens, and one preseason. The Commanders released Badgley on Sunday, giving Slye the kicker position ahead of the regular season.

Slye, who came to Washington late into the 2021 season, made 25-of-30 field goal attempts last season. Four of his five misses came from 40 yards or beyond. He also missed four of 28 extra points.

It didn’t hurt to bring in an extra leg for training camp. The competition between Slye and Badgley appeared close, but there were signs Slye was meeting the challenge head-on.

Kickoffs may have been the deciding point, according to ESPN’s John Keim. That’s not a surprising assessment. Badgley only had 24 kickoffs since entering the NFL in 2018. Usually, teams have had the punters do the duties instead of Badgley.

However, Washington’s punter Tress Way doesn’t kick off much. Way has 24 kickoffs since 2014, with 18 coming in his first year. Slye handled the duties last season for the Commanders with 60 touchbacks in 77 kickoffs.

Joey Slye enters his third season as the Commanders’ kicker. He must remain consistent on extra points and land the 40 and 50-yard field goal attempts more accurately.

Meanwhile, Michael Badgley hits free agency. He’s a good field goal kicker. His name will be on teams’ radars around the league. If he doesn’t immediately sign somewhere else, he may be an option to consider down the road if the Commanders need a placekicker.