Jets eye fan-favorite reunion as kicker battle takes unexpected turn

The New York Jets appear to be eyeing a familiar addition to their ongoing kicker battle. Brian Costello of the New York Post is reporting that the Jets brought in veteran kicker Nick Folk for a tryout during Monday's training camp practice.

Folk, who turns 41 in November, spent seven seasons with the Jets from 2010 to 2016 and ranks No. 2 on the franchise’s all-time points list. Now, nearly a decade after his last kick for the organization, the door appears open for a possible reunion.

The Jets opened camp with a pair of intriguing young kickers in UFL standout Harrison Mevis and Ole Miss rookie Caden Davis, although neither has seized full control of the job so far.

Folk, meanwhile, is coming off back-to-back seasons in which he led the NFL in field goal percentage. He would provide a much-needed steady presence to the Jets' kicker room after the team moved on from fellow veteran Greg Zuerlein this offseason.

Jets eyeing potential Nick Folk reunion after training camp tryout

Folk's first stint with the Jets was a memorable one. The Jets originally signed Folk to a one-year deal back in February 2010 after he was released by the Dallas Cowboys, and he quickly became a fan favorite.

Folk kicked a game-winning field goal to help his team upset the powerhouse Indianapolis Colts in his Jets debut and went on to provide steady production for seven seasons. He ranks second in franchise history in total points and holds the best field goal percentage (81.3%) of any Jets kicker with at least 100 attempts.

After being released by the Jets following the 2016 season, Folk signed on with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for 2017. However, he was out of football entirely in 2018, and even kicked for the Arizona Hotshots in the short-lived AAF in 2019.

A midseason call from the Patriots that same year changed everything. Folk revitalized his career in New England, then carried that success into a two-year run with the Tennessee Titans, where he quietly became one of the league’s most accurate kickers.

Folk converted 50 of 52 field goal attempts (96.2%) over the last two seasons with the Titans, including a perfect 6-of-6 from 50+ yards in 2024. He led the NFL in field goal percentage both years and even matched his career-long of 56 yards.

He also went a perfect 25-for-25 on extra points last season before a groin injury sidelined him late in the year. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler recently reported that Folk is fully healthy and hoping to kick in an 18th NFL season.

It’s clear the Jets are at least entertaining the idea of a reunion. Mevis and Davis have each struggled at times this summer. Mevis has shown flashes, but remains inconsistent. Davis has struggled even more in camp and likely trails Mevis in the competition. Neither has ever appeared in an NFL game.

Bringing in a 40-year-old kicker would be an unexpected move for a Jets team that’s spent the offseason getting younger across the board. Only four players on the current 90-man roster are 30 or older.

But the Jets aren't trying to go into the 2025 season without a reliable kicker on their roster. Despite his age, Folk would make a ton of sense for Gang Green. Sometimes, the right answer is also the familiar one.

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