Jason Sanders will kick for the Jets in Week 3, but a tough Blake Grupe decision will follow

The New York Jets' starting kicker has been a point of contention throughout 2026, dating back to the start of the summer. After a series of musical chairs in training camp and a lackluster competition between Cade York and Jason Sanders, the Jets stuck with Blake Grupe and Sanders going into the regular season.

Sanders, who is a member of the Jets' practice squad, has been the team's kicker on a week-to-week basis. Despite an absolutely horrendous miss in the season opener against the Tennessee Titans, the former Miami Dolphins All-Pro has stabilized and done enough to earn the coaching staff's trust as their starting kicker.

It's left Grupe, whom the Jets claimed off waivers from the Indianapolis Colts and is a member of the 53-man roster, in limbo. With Sanders kicking for New York the last two weeks and on track to kick for a third consecutive game, fans are likely starting to wonder if the Jets are wasting a roster spot on a backup kicker.

Well, after Week 3, head coach Aaron Glenn and special teams coordinator Chris Banjo are going to have to make a final decision on the roster status of both Sanders and Grupe, as the former Miami Dolphins All-Pro has already been elevated from the practice squad three times.

New York Jets will have to decide whether or not they want Jason Sanders

The New York Post's Brian Costello reported that Sanders will, in fact, be the Jets' kicker when they take on the Detroit Lions in Week 3. But this is the last time New York will be able to elevate him from the practice squad.

Per NFL rules, teams are allowed to elevate two practice squad players per week who don't count against the 53-man roster. Non-quarterbacks are only allowed to have three elevations in a season before they have to be signed to the active roster or released. Week 3 will be Sanders' third elevation.

Essentially, the Jets will have to decide after the Lions game which kicker they want to carry with them on the active roster. It's incredibly unlikely that they will carry two at the same time.

Sanders has made a strong case for himself throughout the Jets' first two games. He's made 4 of 5 field goal attempts, with his only miss being the brutal shank against the Titans from 50-plus. He's also made all four of his extra point attempts.

Grupe, on the other hand, is an unknown. He has a career field-goal-make percentage of 81.9%, but struggled in the preseason with Indianapolis. He made 2 of 4 attempts, including misses from 50-plus and inside the 40.

If Sanders goes out and has another solid outing against the Lions, it feels more likely that the Jets will say goodbye to Grupe and sign the former Dolphin to the active roster. As they say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow