The Washington Commanders re-signed kicker Joey Slye to a two-year deal Monday, giving the team some security at a spot that featured plenty of uncertainty last season. The contract is reportedly worth up to $5 million and Slye will receive $2 million guaranteed.
Slye joined the Commanders midway through last season after the team cut longtime kicker Dustin Hopkins and replacement Chris Blewitt. Upon joining the team, Slye went on to make all 12 of his field-goal attempts and went 9 of 10 on extra points in five games.
Slye missed three games because of a hamstring injury, leading Washington to sign Brian Johnson. Johnson is also set to rejoin the team for training camp as he was retained on an exclusive rights tender earlier this offseason. The 23-year-old made both of his field-goal attempts in three games for Washington — including a game-winning 48-yarder against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Slye’s contract likely sets the stage for him to be the team’s starter, but he and Johnson are still expected to compete in camp. Washington begins its offseason program next week when voluntary workouts start Sunday.
Last season, the Commanders kept Johnson on the roster, but turned back to Slye after he healed from his hamstring injury in late December. Slye kicked the last three games for Washington.
Before joining the Burgundy and Gold, Slye spent time with the Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans and San Francisco 49ers. Of those teams, Slye’s longest stay was in Carolina, where he lasted two seasons — including one with coach Ron Rivera, now in Washington.
Rivera’s familiarity with Slye helped him when making the decision to move on from Blewitt. Blewitt lasted just two games with Washington, going 2 of 5 — all three of his misses were blocked.
“Joey’s kicked a lot longer in the league,” Rivera said in November. “He’s had some pretty good success … The thing that we’re hoping for, that Joey can show that consistency. He’s had it and he’s had it in the past and he is still a young guy still learning his craft. Very rarely do you see a kicker come out as a rookie and have a 10-year career at one spot.
“They’re going to bounce around a little bit and you got to catch lightning in a bottle and be able to get the guy at the right time.”
The Commanders appear to believe Slye has found that consistency, rewarding him with a multi-year deal. Slye had previously been tendered with a one-year contract earlier in the offseason as he was a restricted free agent. He was set to make $2.4 million.
But with offseason workouts set to begin soon, the two sides came to terms on an extension.
The NFL Network was the first to report details of the deal.
“Joey Slye hits a ball that’s coming out of the JUGS machine, man,” punter Tress Way said after the season. “Every single ball looks the exact same. He has refined his technique and he’s got his contact rolling … That’s why he hit the ball really well here down the stretch and more than likely moving forward.”
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.