Jets add young German kicker as Nick Folk’s future remains uncertain

The New York Jets fielded one of the statistically best special teams units in NFL history in 2025, and kicker Nick Folk played a major role in the team’s success in the game’s so-called third phase.

Folk led the NFL in field-goal percentage for a third straight season, converting 28 of 29 attempts and going a perfect 22 for 22 on extra points. His lone miss came on a 55-yard attempt against Atlanta — the same game in which he later drilled a game-winning 56-yarder in windy conditions.

There's no doubt that Folk can still play at the highest level of the sport, but at 41 years old, the 19-year NFL veteran may be ready to hang up his cleats. ESPN's Rich Cimini reported a few weeks ago that Folk is pondering his future, and that remains the case as we approach the middle of January.

The Jets appear well aware of the uncertainty surrounding their star kicker, which likely explains why they added a bit of insurance on Monday in the form of a former German soccer player.

Jets sign kicker Lenny Krieg with Nick Folk's NFL future in doubt

The Jets announced a trio of futures signings on Monday, including former New England Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe and 2025 undrafted wide receiver Mac Dalena. The third player signed was German-born kicker Lenny Krieg.

Krieg grew up playing soccer in Berlin before developing an interest in American football through his brother. After gravitating toward placekicking, he taught himself how to kick a football by studying videos on YouTube.

He spent a couple of years playing for various teams in his native Germany, including the European League of Football's Stuttgart Surge in 2023 and 2024. Krieg joined the NFL's International Player Pathway program last February and eventually landed a contract with the Atlanta Falcons the following month.

The 23-year-old appeared in just one preseason game for the Falcons last summer, drilling a 57-yard field goal that looked good from well beyond 60 yards before later missing from 53. Krieg's leg strength clearly isn't in question.

It's worth noting that, despite the Falcons' persistent kicker issues throughout 2025, Atlanta opted to keep Krieg on its practice squad for the entire year. Still, the Jets clearly see something in the former soccer player.

Krieg will be eligible for the Jets’ designated International Player Pathway (IPP) practice squad spot next season. Fellow countryman, offensive lineman Leander Wiegand held that role for much of 2025 before landing on the practice squad injured reserve.

He was replaced by Lesotho-born defensive end Paschal Ekeji midseason. Ekeji was signed to a futures contract alongside Krieg, while Wiegand has not been re-signed at the time of writing.

The Jets will continue to hold out hope that Folk is willing to return for another season, but if not, Krieg could be given a significant opportunity to compete for the team’s kicker job this summer.